FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #19

Section 1140.005.05

• Discuss this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 
• Immediately implement this policy for new employment or a change in employment.
• File the revised Forms Manual page.

Changes occur in household circumstances during the certification period.  Households are required to report certain changes.  Others are discovered at an IM reinvestigation, elderly/disabled mid-certification review, or from other sources.  Act on all changes.  Verification, necessary action, and the time frame for action depend on the type of change and its effect on eligibility and benefits.
 

1140.005.00    CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES
IM-#10   February 16, 1999

Household Reporting Requirements

Households must report:

1. Changes in gross monthly unearned income of more than $25 (changes in IM grants are not required to be reported).

  A household is required to report changes of more than $25 in gross monthly unearned income regardless of the fact that gross income includes an averaged/converted source of income.

2. The following changes in earned income:

a. a change in base rate of pay (EXAMPLE:  $5.10 per hour to $5.25 per hour OR $220 per week to $225 per week);

b. any permanent change in hours worked that can be expected to continue (EXAMPLE:  employee knows number of hours worked will increase or decrease for a period of time; this does not include normal fluctuations in hours worked);

c. becoming employed or losing employment; or

d. a change in the source of earned income.

3. Changes in any source of income.

4. Changes in the number of people in the household.

5. Changes in residence, and the resulting changes in shelter costs.

6. Changes in the legal obligation to pay child support.

7. Acquisition of a vehicle. 

8. Resources reaching or exceeding $2,000.

 NOTE:  Advise households to report approval of SSI.  This may affect categorical eligibility.  If aware of Temporary Assistance, SAB, GR, and SP approval, take action without waiting for the claimant to report the change.

1140.005.05      Certified Households
IM-#111   August 23, 1999

Changes, except medical expenses, reported during the certification period are subject to the same verification procedures as initial certification.  Do not verify changes in income of $25 or less unless the information is incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, or outdated.

Verify changes in medical expenses reported by the household which result in an increased allotment.  Do not contact the household to verify changes reported by a source other than the household.  If the change in medical expenses reported by a source other than the household cannot be verified without contacting the household, do not act on the change.

Certified households must report changes within 10 calendar days of the date the change becomes known to the household.  For changes in income, the date known is the date employment begins or the date a change in rate of pay/hours is effective.

If the amount of income cannot be anticipated, consider the date the first paycheck is received as the date known and justify the budgeting delay.
 

1140.005.10      Applicant Households

An applying household must report changes related to its food stamp eligibility and allotment level during the initial interview.  Applicant households are required to report the same changes as certified households.  Refer to Categorically Eligible Households for handling food stamp applications when the IM application is approved.

When changes occur after the interview but prior to certification or denial, the household is required to report the change(s) within ten days of the date of the notice of approval/rejection.
 

1140.005.15      IM Household Reporting Requirements

IM households have the same reporting requirements as any other food stamp household. 

Whenever a change results in reducing or terminating a household's IM