MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce new policy for individuals who are required to travel due to the nature of their job. Effective July 1, 2013, when applying for Food Stamps if residency has not been established elsewhere, the individual is a member of the eligibility unit. Apply this policy at next contact with the EU.

Determine if the individual has established another residency separate from the EU. If the individual has not established a residence separate from the EU and is otherwise a mandatory member, consider the individual a member of the EU. Income received by the individual is entered as earned income (EI) when determining eligibility and benefit amount.

EXAMPLE:  Mr. Brown, an over-the-road truck driver, works over the road three weeks per month, the remaining part of the month he returns home with his wife and child. Mr. Brown has not established a residence separate from his family and he works from his truck. He is considered as part of the EU. His income is counted as earned income (EI) when determining Food Stamp eligibility.

If the individual travels for work and has established a residency separate from the EU, this person is not part of the EU. Money given to the EU from this individual is counted as unearned income (UI) with source code contributions (CI) when determining eligibility and benefit amount.

EXAMPLE:  Mr. Green, a businessman, lives in St. Louis during the week where he rents an apartment to be near his office for work. On the weekends he returns home with the EU, his wife and two children, in Hannibal. He sends his family $1,000 a month to help cover expenses. Since he has established a residence separate from his family, he is not considered a part of their assistance group when determining Food Stamp eligibility. The $1,000 a month he sends to his family is considered contributions (CO) when determining benefit eligibility and amount for the EU.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

AC/ks