3715 Interim Changes | SNAP

A SNAP applicant is required to report anticipated changes related to its SNAP benefits at the initial application or recertification (renewal) interview. Changes meeting a simplified reporting requirement that occur after the certification interview but before the date of the notice of eligibility must be reported no later than 10 calendar days of the date of the notice.

Simplified Reporting AUs have 4-month,12-month, 24-month and 36-month certification periods. All changes may be reported but the only changes required to be reported are:

The agency will process changes received or reported during the AU’s SR certification period in the following situations:

The full non-reimbursed amount of any medical expenses is allowed during the current certification period if reported and verified by the AU during the certification period. If a reported change in medical expenses is considered verified upon receipt, process the change. Changes in medical expenses are not acted upon if learned from a source other than the AU.

If medical expenses are reported at the next recertification (renewal), the full verified non-reimbursed amount is allowed in the new certification period.

If the AU reports an address change, the agency must inquire about any potential shelter cost changes that may occur as a result of the address change. If the agency is unable to contact the AU regarding shelter costs, verification of the change must be requested. If the AU fails to provide the shelter verification but does have an existing deduction, then the shelter deduction is removed, and benefits are recalculated without the deduction.

If the AU fails to provide shelter verification but does not have an existing deduction, then no further action is required by the agency.

The following actions are taken when a change is reported:

If a reported change results in an increase in benefits, the change is made effective no later than the first allotment issued 10 days after the date the change was reported.

Example 1: A $30 decrease in income reported on May 1 increases the household’s May allotment. The decrease in income is reported on May 1st, 10 days after the reported change is May 11^th. If the change is reported and verified on May 11^th and the first allotment for the AU is available between May 11^th and May 23^rd, then the household’s May allotment would increase as a result of this change.

Example 2: A $30 decrease in income reported on the May13th increases the household’s May allotment and would increase the household’s June allotment. The decrease in income is reported on May 13th,10 days after the reported change is May 23rd. If the change is reported and verified by May 23^rd, and the first allotment for the AU is available on May 23^rd, then the household’s May allotment would increase as a result of this change.

Refer to 3810 Issuance, for policy on the issuance dates for SNAP households.

If a change is reported after the 20^th of the month and results in an increase in benefits, the change is made effective the next month.

Example 3: A $30 decrease in income reported on the 21st of May would increase the household’s June allotment.

A change reported during the last 10 calendar days of the month, which results in an increase in benefits, may be made effective the next month, but no later than the second subsequent month following the month the change is reported.

Example: A $30 decrease in income reported on May 28^th would increase the AU’s June allotment. However, the AU’s allotment would have to increase no later than July.

An expedited change occurs when an additional AU member (who is not a member of another certified AU) or a decrease in monthly gross income of $50.00 or more is reported by the AU. These reported changes must be made no later than the month following the month the change is reported.

If the change is reported late in the month and verification cannot be obtained until the following month, issue a supplemental benefit when the verification is received to ensure that the increase in benefits occurs in the month following the month the change is reported.

Example: A household reporting a $100 decrease in income at any time during May would have its June allotment increased. If the household reported the change after the 20^th of May and it was too late for the AU to receive the increase in its regular benefit cycle normally issued on June 1, issue a supplement for the amount of the increase by June 10.

The AU has 10 calendar days from the date verification is requested to provide any required verification. The agency has the same 10-day period to verify and to act on the reported change. If verification is not provided during the 10-day period but is provided at a later date during the month, the agency has 10-days from the date verification is provided to act on the change.

If the verification is provided timely and the change would result in an increase in benefits, the change in the benefit level must be effective no later than the second subsequent month following the month the change was reported.

Failure by the AU to provide verification within the 10 days, results in a termination of benefits. Allow 14 days timely notice. If verification is provided prior to the effective date of the closure, reinstate the case within 10 days from the date the verification is provided.

Reported changes that would result in an increase in benefits and is an allowable deduction (other than child support) and the verification is provided within the 10 days, the change is effective no later than the second subsequent month following the month the change was reported.

If the AU fails to provide verification within the 10 days, leave the benefits at the original or lower amount.

If the change would result in an increase in benefits, the change is in the child support deduction and the verification is provided within 10 days, make the change effective no later than the second subsequent month following the month the change was reported.

If the AU fails to provide verification within 10 days, remove the child support deduction, allowing 14 days timely notice. If verification is provided prior to the effective date of the change, make the change in the new child support deduction within 10 days from the date the verification is provided.

If the reported change results in a decrease in benefits or in ineligibility, an adverse action will result. A timely notice of the adverse action is issued to the AU within 10 calendar days from the day the change is reported.

Some adverse actions do not require timely notice. Refer to 3705 Notification, for the exceptions in providing timely notice.

When timely notice is required, the adverse action is effective no later than the month following the month in which the change occurs, and the timely notice period expires. If adequate notice is required, the adverse action is effective no later than the month following the month in which the change is reported.

If the amount of income has changed by more than $50 or if the information is incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, or outdated; verification from a third-party source is required. If a change in income will result in termination or denial of benefits; verification from a third-party source is required.

Allow timely notice so that the change is effective no later than the second subsequent month following the month the change was reported.

When more than one change is reported at the same time, the final effect of the change must be determined in order to know how to process the change. If the combined changes result in an increase in benefits, follow the guidelines for changes resulting in increases.

If the combined changes result in a decrease or termination of benefits, follow the guidelines for changes resulting in decreases or ineligibility.

If verification is required due to an increase in benefits, give the AU 10 days to verify. Make all changes simultaneously.

A change in the primary individual of the AU (due to death) does not require a new application. The AU may select a new primary individual of the AU or the county may assist the AU with designating one.

Contact the AU to select a new primary individual of the AU. If the AU fails to select a primary individual of the AU, do not terminate the case. The county should designate a new primary individual of the AU. A new application is not required.

If the head of the AU moves, remove the other AU members and have them to reapply. If the new head of the AU has an existing case, assign that case number or a new case number, if applicable. A new application is processed with a new certification period assigned for the AU members who left the previous AU.

If an AU fails to report a required change timely, refer the case to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to determine if overpayments exist.

Simplified Reporting (SR) AUs must report when their monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the applicable federal poverty level (FPL) for the AU’s size no later than 10 calendar days from the end of the month in which the increase or change occurred. Failure to report the change within 10 calendar days, results in untimely reporting and possible AU caused overpayments.

Prior to closing the case, make sure the monthly gross income exceeds the appropriate 130% FPL for the AU size ongoing. For example, if the AU’s income exceeded the 130% FPL due solely to five paychecks instead of the usual four, do not close the case for the ongoing month.

An overpayment is not created for changes the AU is not required to report. This rule applies to all SRR AUs.

Failure of the agency to take timely action on a reported change may result in agency error overpayments or underpayments.

Mass changes affect all or a large number of AUs receiving benefits. These changes include the following:

Mass changes are generally automatically processed by Gateway. Cases affected by a mass change but not updated by Gateway may require worker-initiated changes in the case. Usually a system generated list of cases is provided so that the cases are identified, and the appropriate actions are taken. Adequate notice is required for mass changes.

Some changes such as Prisoner Matches, and Death Matches are reported by Gateway alerts to the worker. Clearinghouse and IVES may be used to obtain data or verify that there has been a change in circumstances. Computerized updates of TANF and Child Support Services (CSS) income changes are completed on a monthly basis. Refer to 3500 Computer Matches Overview for more policy on computerized updates.

Changes are made until the last processing cycle of the month to affect the following month’s benefits and eligibility, unless timely notice is required.

A change of address is not a reporting requirement for SRR AUs. Process any address changes reported by SRR AUs and changes in shelter costs only if reported by the AU.

An AU is allowed 10 calendar days to provide verification for interim changes reported while a renewal/recertification is pending. Make the change effective the first month of the new certification period.

During the certification period, the agency may receive questionable or unclear information about a household’s circumstances that prevents the agency from determining ongoing eligibility. Unclear information is information that is not verified, or information that is verified but the agency needs additional information to act on the change.

The agency must request clarification and verification (if applicable) of the household circumstances for any unclear information that appears to present significantly conflicting information from the information that was used by the agency at the time of certification.

If the agency receives information through Interfaces or data matches from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the agency must request verification. The verification checklist must clearly explain what information is needed from the household and the consequences of failing to respond to the notice. If there is no response to the request for information, terminate benefits and issue a notice of adverse action.

If the unclear information does not meet the required reporting criteria for Simplified Reporting households and does not relate to data matches, then the agency shall not act on the information or require the household to provide verification until the next certification is due.