DIVISION OF ECONOMIC AND MEDICAL SERVICES
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL PROVISIONS--------------------------------------------------100 - 999
Purpose of Program
Use of Food Stamps
State's Responsibilities
Caseworker's Responsibilities
Records and Reports
Disclosure
Program and Discrimination Complaints
Quality Control
Authorized Representatives
HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION----------------------------------------------1000 - 1999
Residency
Identity
Head of Household
Citizenship
Sponsored Aliens
Students
Disqualified Members
Strikers
Institutions
Household Classification
THE SSN REQUIREMENT/IEVS-------------------------------------------2000 - 2999
THE WORK REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS---------------------------------3000 - 3999
Work Registration
Job Search
Voluntary Quit
Workfare
RESOURCES----------------------------------------------------------4000 - 4999
Resource Eligibility Standards
Excluded Resources
Countable Resources
Vehicles
Special Resource Situations
INCOME-------------------------------------------------------------5000 - 5999
Income Eligibility Standards
Income Exclusions
Included Income
Earned Income
Self-Employment Income
Unearned Income
DEDUCTIONS---------------------------------------------------------6000 - 6999
The Earned Income Deduction
The Standard Deduction
The Dependent Care Deduction
The Medical Deduction
The Excess Shelter Deduction
The Standard Utility Allowance
PROSPECTIVE ELIGIBILITY--------------------------------------------7000 - 7999
Determining Gross Income Eligibility Prospectively
Determining Net Income Eligibility Prospectively
INITIAL CASE ACTIONS-----------------------------------------------8000 - 8999
The Household's Rights
The County's Responsibilities
Withdrawing Applications
Registering Applications
Interviews
Household Cooperation
Processing Standards
Prorated Initial Allotments
Minimum Food Stamp Allotments
Assigning Certification Periods
Notices/Forms
Special Procedures
EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS---------------------------------------------9000 - 9999
Entitlement to Expedited Service
Screening Applications For Entitlement
Processing Standards
Certification Periods
Postponing Verification
Notices/Forms
RECERTIFICATIONS--------------------------------------------------10000 - 10999
Notice of Expiration
Timely Applications
Untimely Applications
Interviews
Processing Standards
Special Procedures
CHANGES-----------------------------------------------------------11000 - 11999
Changes Required to be Reported
Instructions For Processing Reported Changes
Mass Changes
Exemptions From Notice of Action
MONTHLY REPORTING/RETROSPECTIVE BUDGETING-------------------------12000 - 12999
Households Excluded From Monthly Reporting
Households Subject to Monthly Reporting
The Monthly Reporting Cycle
Screening Monthly Reporting Forms
Processing Monthly Reporting Forms
Determining Eligibility Retrospectively
Retrospectively Budgeting Income
Special Procedures
The Automated Monthly Reporting System
SUPPLEMENTS/RESTORATIONS------------------------------------------13000 - 13999
Reasons for Supplementing Benefits
Determining Amount of Supplement
Reasons for Restoring Benefits
Determining Amount of Restorations
Offsetting Restorations
Special Procedures for Restorations
FOOD STAMP MAIL OUT-----------------------------------------------14000 - 14999
Authorizing Issuance Via Regular Extract
Authorizing Issuance Via Daily Issuance
Second Issuance for Battered Women
Release From Hold
Remails
Supplements
Replacements
Special Situations
Restorations
Use of the FNS-135
Semi-Annual Reconciliation
OVERPAYMENTS------------------------------------------------------15000 - 15999
When to Prepare an Overpayment
Timely Submission of an Overpayment
Preparing an Overpayment
Overpayment Unit Responsibilities
Handling Suspected IPV Overpayments
Recoupment
Accepting Food Stamps Payment on Overpayment
State Income Tax Refund Interception
FAIR HEARINGS/DISQUALIFICATION HEARINGS---------------------------16000 - 16999
Fair Hearings
Uniform Rules of Procedure
The Household's Right to Appeal
Denial of Dismissal of Request
The Hearing Process
Continuation of Benefits
The Fair Hearing File
Conducting the Hearing
The Decision
Judicial Review
The County Office's Responsibilities Following Decision
State Tax Refund Intercept Hearings
Disqualification Hearings
When a Disqualification Hearing is Conducted
How a Disqualification Hearing is Initiated
The Administrative Disqualification File
Cancellation of the Hearing
Waived Hearings
Scheduling Hearings
Conducting the Hearing
Imposing the Disqualification
Judicial Review
DISASTER PROCEDURES-----------------------------------------------17000 - 17999
Determination of a Disaster
The Application Process
Processing Standards
Verification
Certification Periods
Basis of Issuance
Notices
Relationship to Regular Program
Issuance
PROCEDURES FOR REDUCING, SUSPENDING OR CANCELLING BENEFITS--------18000 - 18999
General Information
Notification
Allotment Reduction
Suspensions and Cancellations
Certification During Reduction, Suspension, or Cancellation
APPENDICES
A - CASE ORGANIZATION FOR FOOD STAMPS
B - GLOSSARY
C - AUTOMATED NOTICES FOR FOOD STAMPS
D - CURRENT STANDARDS
E - FIELD INVESTIGATION GUIDE
F - INTERVIEW GUIDE
G - GUIDE TO SOURCES OF UNEARNED INCOME
H - FOOD STAMP AND RELATED SCREENS
I - IEVS
100General Provisions
110Purpose of the Food Stamp Program
120Use of Food Stamps
121Communal Dining Facilities
200Authorization of the Program and the State's Responsibilities
210Program Informational Activities
220Personnel Standards
230Bilingual Staff and Materials
231Seasonal Influx of Non-English Speaking Households
232Estimates of Low-Income Single-Language Households
240Training Requirements
241Public Attendance at Training
242FNS Review
250Hours of Operation
300Caseworker Responsibilities
310Specific Responsibilities
311Maintenance of the FSC Manual
312Using the FSC Manual
313Conducting Interviews
314Documentation
315Completing Work in a Timely Manner
316Accuracy
317Providing Client Services
400Records and Reports
410Retention of the Contents of the Case Record
420Case Record Order
430Food Stamp System Reports
440Maintenance of Old Manual Issuance Records
500Availability of Information
510Review of Food Stamp Policy and Regulations
520General Program Information
530Disclosure of Information From the Case Record
540The Household's Access to its Case Record
600Program Complaints
700Discrimination Complaints
710Filing a Discrimination Complaint
720Verbal Allegations of Discrimination
730Delays in Reporting Discrimination
740Racial/Ethnic Data Collection
800Quality Control (Q.C.)
810The Selection Process
820Responding to a Request by Q.C. for a Case Record
830Prior Knowledge of the Case
840Reviewing Active Cases
850Calculating Case Error Rate
860Calculating Dollar Error Rate
870Reviewing Negative Cases
880The Q.C. Log
890The Q. C. Appeal Process
900Authorized Representatives (AR)
910Who May be an Authorized Representative
920Who May Not be an Authorized Representative
930Liability
940Records of AR's
950Controls on AR's
960Verifying the Identity of an AR
970Disqualifying AR's
980Residential Facilities as AR's
981Drug and Alcoholic Treatment Centers
982Group Living Arrangements
983Shelters for Battered Women and Children
984Responsibilities and Liabilities
985When a Resident Leaves a Facility
985.1Drug/Alcoholic Treatment Centers
985.2Group Living Arrangements
985.3Shelters For Battered Women and Children
986Disqualification of Treatment Centers and Group Living Arrangements
1000Household Information
1100Introduction
1110Summary
1200Eligibility Factors
1300Process 1 - Determining Residency
1310Action to Take if The Household Does not Meet Residency Requirements
1320Addresses
1330Verification of Residency
1400Process 2 - Verifying Identity
1500Process 3 - Designation of Case Head
1600Process 4 - Determining Household Composition
1610Step 1 -Determining if all Declared Household Members Actually Live in the Home
1620Step 2 -Determining if Individual Members are Eligible to Participate
1621Determining Eligibility Based on Citizenship
1621.2Documentation and Verification of Status as an Eligible Alien
1621.2.1Verification through ASVI
1621.2.2Secondary SAVE Verification
1621.2.3Action on Responses from SAVE
1621.2.4Accessing the SAVE System
1621.3Handling the Resources and Income of Ineligible Aliens
1621.4Reporting Illegal Aliens
1621.5Sponsored Aliens
1621.6Deeming Procedures
1621.7Changes in Sponsors
1621.8Reported Changes in Sponsor's Income
1621.9Obtaining Verification From the Sponsor
1621.10Notices
1621.11Overissuances Resulting From Incorrect Sponsor Information
1622Determining Eligibility of Students
1622.1Determining Type of Educational Institution
1622.2Determining Enrollment
1622.3Applying the Student Criteria
1622.4Income and Resources of Eligible Students
1622.5Households With Ineligible Students
1622.6Income of Ineligible Students
1622.7Resources of Ineligible Students
1623Determining if a Household member is to be Disqualified
1623.1Disqualification for SSN Non-Compliance
1623.2Disqualification for IPV or Work Registration Non-compliance
1623.3Disqualification by Member for Workfare Sanction
1624Determining if a Household Member is a Boarder
1624.1Reasonable Monthly Payment
1624.2Boarding Houses
1624.3Verification
1630Step 3 -Determining if the Declared Household Composition is Correct
1631Restrictions to Participation as a Separate Household
1632Determining if a Request for Separate Household Status is Correct
1632.1 Separate Dwelling Claims
1633Verification of Separate Household Status
1640Foster Care
1700The Effect of Striking Members on Households
1710Striker Status
1720Determining Resources for Households with Striking Members
1730Determining Eligibility Based Upon Income
1740Verification/Documentation
1800Institutions
1810Residents of Federally Subsidized Housing for the Elderly
1820Residents of Drug and Alcoholic Treatment Centers
1821Processing Standards
1822Household Composition
1823Work Registration
1824Monthly Reports and On-Site Visits
1825When Residents of Treatment Centers Leave
1830Residents of Group Living Arrangements
1831Processing Standards
1832Household Composition
1833Work Registration
1834When Residents of Group Living Arrangements Leave
1840Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and Children
1841Certifying Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and Children
1841.1Certifying Residents Who Have Already Participated in the Current Month
1841.2Action on Former Households
1842Coupon Issuance
1850Homeless Households
1851Authorized Homeless Meal Providers
1852Disposition of Homeless Meal Provider Applications
1900Classifying Households
1910Aged/Disabled Households
1920Categorically Eligible Household
1921Financial Eligibility Factors
1922Non-Financial Eligibility Factors
1930Regular Households
2000SSN Requirement/IEVS
2100Authorization for Use of the Social Security Number
2200Requirement for Participation
2210Individuals Who Declare an SSN
2220Making Application for an SSN
2221Completion of the SS-5
2222Citizen Under Age 18
2223Delay in SSN Requirements for Newborns
2300Failure to Comply
2310Determining Good Cause
2320Ending Disqualification
2400Verification/Enumeration
2401Multiple SSN's
2410Clearing the Mismatch Report
2411Household Cooperation in Clearing the Mismatch Report
2500Income and Eligibility Verification System
2510Transmitting SSN's for IEVS
2520Transmitting SSN's to ESD
2530Transmitting SSN's to SSA
2540Transmitting SSN's to IRS
2600Use of IEVS Information
2610Using IEVS Information for Applicants
2620Using IEVS Information for Recipients
2700Verification of IEVS Information
2710Matches Covered by the Computer Matching and Privacy Act
2710.1Verification Under the Computer Matching Act
2710.2Notification Requirements Under Computer Matching Act
2720State Matches
2800IEVS Reports for Food Stamp Applicants
2805IEVS Reports for Food Stamp Recipients and the Pending Case Action File
2810IEVS Overdue Reports
2900IEVS Savings
2910Savings for Denied Applications
2920Savings for Approved Applications, Case Changes and Closures
3000Work Registration
3100The Work Registration Requirements - Summary
3110Work Registration Terminology
3120Head of Household
3121Determining Head of Household at Time of Violation
3200Who is Exempt From Work Registration
3210Under 16 or 60 or Older
3220Certain Household Members Aged 16 or 17
3230Disabled
3240Dependent Care
3250Project SUCCESS Participation through AFDC
3260Receiving Unemployment
3270Addicts and Alcoholics
3280Employed Persons and Self-Employed Persons
3290Students
3300Individuals to be Registered for Work
3310Work Registration
3310.1Work Registration at Reported Change
3310.2E&T Program Referral
3320Work Registration Codes
3400E&T Programs
3410Operation of Program SUCCESS Employment and Training (E&T) Program
3420Who Will Participate in the E&T Program
3430Changes After Referral
3431Referral Review
3432Change in Exemption Status
3433Transfer of the WORK Program Case
3434Close/Termination
3500Compliance With Work Registration/WORK Programs
3510Good Cause
3520Sanction
3521Imposing the Disqualification
3522Notices
3523Ending A Disqualification Through Compliance
3523.1Ending Disqualification When Household Composition Changes
3524E&T Program Non-Compliance
3524.1Preventing a Disqualification for E&T Program Non-Compliance
3524.2Ending a Disqualification for an E&T Program Non-Compliance
3530E&T Program Savings
3600Voluntary Quit
3610Determining If a Household is Subject to Sanction
3620Good Cause for Voluntary Quit
3621Caseworker Judgement in Applying Good Cause
3630Verification of Voluntary Quit
3640Sanction Periods
3650Applying the Sanction
3660Ending Disqualification for Voluntary Quit
3700Appeal of County Decisions
3800Workfare
3801 Conditions of Workfare Employment
3810Who is Subject to Workfare
3811Exemptions From Workfare
3820Determining Workfare Obligation
3830Referral of Workfare Eligibles
3840Workfare Sponsor Responsibilities
3841Beginning Workfare Participation
3842Monitoring and Reporting
3843Optional Grievance Procedures
3850Sanctions For Non-Compliance With Workfare
3851Imposing a Sanction For Workfare Non-Compliance
3852Good Cause For Workfare Non-Compliance
3853Determining Good Cause
3854Notice of Adverse Action
3855Avoiding a Sanction
3856Re-Establishing Eligibility After Sanction is
Imposed
3860Fair Hearings
3870Reports to be Submitted by the EMS County Office
3880Sharing Workfare Savings - Enhanced Reimbursement
4000Resources
4100Summary
4200When Resources Are Determined
4300Resource Eligibility Standards
4310Uniform Resource Standards
4400Excluded Resources
4410Home and Lot
4420Household and Personal Goods/Life Insurance/Pension Funds
4430Totally Excluded Vehicles
4431Property Related to the Use of Excluded Vehicles
4440Income Producing Property
4441Determining if Income is Consistent with Fair Market Value
4450Resources Excluded by Law
4451Resource Eligibility Standards for AFDC and SSI Recipients
4460Other Excluded Resources
4470Verification of Excluded Resources
4480Documentation of Excluded Resources
4500Inaccessible Resources
4510Irrevocable Trust Funds
4520Property in Probate
4530Real Property for Sale
4540Resources of Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and Children
4550Security Deposits
4560Non-Liquid Resources Against Which a Lien is Placed
4570Installment Contracts as Inaccessible Resources
4580Resources Unlikely to Produce Significant Return
4600Countable Resources
4601Ownership of Liquid Bank Accounts
4610Bonds
4620Cash on Hand
4621Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC)
4630Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's)
4640Keogh Plans
4650Money in Checking and Savings Accounts
4651Mutual Funds
4660Savings Certificates
4670Stocks
4700Non-Liquid Resources
4712Determining the Countable Resource Value of Non-Liquid Resources
4713Verification of Non-Liquid Resources (Excluding Vehicles)
4714Documentation of Non-Liquid Resources
4800Vehicles
4810Summary
4811Ownership of Vehicles
4820Definition of a Licensed Vehicle
4821Determining the Countable Resource Value of Licensed Vehicles
4830Definition of an Unlicensed Vehicle
4831Determining the Countable Resource Value of Unlicensed Vehicles
4832"Junked Vehicles"
4840Definition of a Recreational Vehicle
4841Determining the Countable Resource Value of a Recreational Vehicle
4850Chart - Handling Vehicles
4900Special Resource Situations
4910Jointly Owned Resources
4920Court Litigation/Pending Divorce
4930Resources of Disqualified or Ineligible Members
4940Resources of Sponsored Aliens
4950Non-recurring Lump Sum Payments
4951Handling
4952Verification
4953Documentation
4960Excluded and Countable Resources Combined Into One Account
4970Transfer of Resources
4972Transfers Not Resulting in Disqualification
4973Transfers Resulting in Disqualification
4974Periods of Disqualification
5000Income
5100Summary
5200Income Eligibility Standards
5300Definition of Income
5400Income Exclusions
5401Child Support Payments Under Title IV-D
5402Costs of Producing Self-Employment Income
5403Earnings of a Child
5404Educational Expenses
5405(By) Federal Statute
5406In-Kind Benefits
5407Irregular Income
5408Loans
5409Non-Recurring Lump Sum Payments
5410Recoupments
5411Reimbursements
5412Third-Party Beneficiary
5413Vendor Payments
5414Earned Income Tax Credits
5415Verification of Excluded Income
5416Documentation of Excluded Income
5500Included Income
5501Earned Income
5502Annual Bonuses
5503Treatment of Annual Bonuses
5504Assistantships
5505Contractual Income
5506Diverted Wages
5507Military Pay
5508Sick Pay/Maternity Benefits
5509Training Allowances
5511VISTA Payments
5512Wages and Salaries
5512.1Odd Job Income
5513Work Study
5514Verification of Earned Income
5515Special Verification
5516Documentation of Earned Income
5600Self-Employment Income
5610Definition
5620Commercial Boarding Houses
5621Households with Boarders
5622Allowable Costs of Doing Business
5623Determining Income
5630Handling Other Self-Employment Income
5631Determining Gross Self-Employment Income
5632Capital Gains
5633Factor One - How Long Has the Business Been in Existence
5634Factor Two - How is the Self-Employment Income Received
5635Factor Three - Has the Current Self-Employment Income Increased or Decreased Substantially
5640Calculating Self-Employment Income
5640.1Farm Loss Deduction
5640.2Special Payments to Farmers
5641Separate Enterprises
5642Partnerships
5643Closely Held Corporations
5650Verification/Documentation
5660Certification Periods
5700Unearned Income
5701AFDC
5702Allotments
5703Annuities
5704Child Support/Alimony Payments
5704.1CSEU Payments to AFDC Recipients
5704.2CSEU Payments to Medicaid Recipients
5704.3CSEU Payments to Individuals Not Receiving AFDC/Medicaid
5704.4Verification of Child Support REceived Through CSEU
5705Contributions
5706Diverted Payments
5707Educational Benefits
5708Foster Care Payments
5709Gifts/Cash Prizes
5710Installments Contracts
5711Interest, Dividends, Royalties
5712Pensions
5713Railroad Retirement
5714Reimbursement for Normal Living Expenses
5715Rental Income
5716Severance Pay Received in Installments
5717Sick Pay
5718Social Security Benefits (SSA)
5719Strike Benefits
5720Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
5721Unemployment Compensation (UI) Benefits
5722Utility Assistance from HUD or Housing Authority
5723Veteran's Administration Benefits (VA)
5724Workman's Compensation Benefits
5725Verification
5726Specific Verification for Some Unearned Income
5727Documentation
5800Determining Income/Reference List6000Deductions
6100Summary
6200The Earned Income Deduction
6210Farm Loss Deduction
6300The Standard Deduction
6400The Dependent Care Deduction
6410Documentation and Verification of Dependent Care Costs
6500Medical Deduction
6510Determining Allowable Medical Costs
6520Determining the Amount of the Medical Deduction
6521Factor One - How Often is the Expense Incurred
6521.1Expenses Incurred Periodically
6521.2One-Time Medical Expenses
6522Factor Two - Will the Expense be Reimbursed
6523Factor Three - Is the Medical Expense Past Due
6524Verification of Medical Expenses
6524.1Suggested Sources of Verification for Medical Expenses
6525Calculation of the Medical Deduction
6526Documentation of Medical Deductions
6600The Excess Shelter Deduction
6610Allowable Shelter Costs
6611HUD Payments
6620Explanation of the Utility Standard
6621Determining Which Households May Choose to Use the Utility Standard
6621.1Specific Costs
6622Choosing Between the Utility Standard and Actual Utilities
6622.1Use of the Utility Standard by Expedited Households
6623Using Actual Utility Costs
6624Allowable Utility Expenses for Households Who Share Costs
6625Households in Public Housing and Rental Units Charged Only for Excess Utility Usage
6626Households With Utility Bills Paid by HEAP
6626.1Other Energy Assistance Payments
6627Verification and Documentation of Shelter Costs
6700Determining if an Expense Should be Deducted
6710Determining the Month the Deduction Should be Allowed
6720Projecting Expenses in a Prospective Budget
6721Special Procedures for Projecting Medical Expenses
6722Special Procedures for Projecting Utility Expenses
6730Averaging Expenses
6800Chart - Deductions Used in the Food Stamp Budget
7000Prospective Eligibility
7100Determining Eligibility/Prospective Budgeting - Summary
7200Chart 1 - Non-Financial Eligibility Factors to be Applied to
Household Members
7210Chart 2 - Non-Financial Eligibility Factors Applied to
Entire Households
7300Prospective Eligibility
7400Step 1 - Resource Eligibility
7410Resource Chart
7420Determining Total Resources
7430Limits For Total Allowable Resources
7431Denying Applications When Resources Exceed Limits
7500Step 2 - Gross Income Eligibility
7510Excluded Income
7511Countable Income
7512Budgeting Food Stamp Income Prospectively
7512.1Documentation
7512.2Calculating Prospective Budgets
7513Weekly and Bi-weekly Income Conversion Factors
7513.1Weekly Income
7513.2Bi-Weekly Income
7514Semi-Monthly Income
7515Income Not Received on a Scheduled Basis
7516Monthly Income
7517Annualized Income (Including Contractual Income)
7518Self Employment Income
7519Contractual Income
7520Income Averaged Forward Over the Period of Intended Use
7521Averaging Several Months Income
7522Special Procedures
7523Budgeting Earned Income
7523.1Fluctuating Earned Income
7523.2Wages Held by the Employer
7524Determining Eligibility
7525Application Denial
7600Calculation of a Budget
7610Explanation of Food Stamp Budget Calculation
7700Examples of Food Stamp Budgets
7710Earned Income
7720Unearned Income
7730Combination of Earned and Unearned Income/Household With Dependent Care and Excess Shelter8000Initial Case Actions
8100Initial Application Process - Summary
8120The Household's Rights at Application
8130The County Office's Responsibilities
8140Contacting the Wrong Office
8141Applications Filed in the Wrong Office
8142Transfers of Case Records
8150Withdrawing Applications
8160Registering Pending Applications
8161Pseudo SSN's
8170Screening Applications
8200The Application Interview
8210Scheduling Interviews
8220Same Day Interviews
8230Interviews Scheduled at a Later Date
8240Interviews for Joint AFDC and Food Stamp Applicants
8250Conducting Interviews
8260Interviews Held Out of the Office
8270Interviews with Authorized Representatives
8300Household Cooperation
8310Households with Suspected Overpayments
8320Refusal to Cooperate Following Certification
8400Same Day Actions
8500Normal Processing Standards
8501Assigning Appointments
8502Time Frames for Processing Approvals
8503Time Frames for Processing Denials
8504Contents of Denial Notice
8505Summary of Actions on Application Approvals/Denials
8506Pending Applications
8510Delayed Applications
8520Determining Fault - County Caused Delay
8521Determining Fault - Client Caused Delay
8530Charts Determining Fault
8540Handling Applications Pending 60 Days or More
8600Budgeting
8610Prorated Initial Allotments/Chart
8611Proration for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Households
8612Food Stamp Proration Chart
8620Minimum Food Stamp Allotments
8630Minimum Food Stamp Allotments For One and Two Person Households
8640Minimum Food Stamp Allotments for Households with Three or More Members
8641Coupon Allotments for Categorically Eligible Households
8650Retroactive Benefits
8651Aggregate Allotments
8660Determining the Monthly Reporting Status of Applicant Households
8700The Certification Period
8710Assigning Certification Periods
8720Prioritizing Assignment of Certification Periods
8800Forms and Notices Supplied at Certification
8810Approval Notice
8820Change Report Form
8830Notice of Food Stamp Certification Expiration
8840ID Card
8850ID Cards for Special Households
8900Special Procedures at Initial Application
8920Processing Joint SSI/Food Stamp Applications
8930SSA Responsibilities
8940DEMS Responsibilities
8945The Pre-release Program
8946Processing Applications From Pre-release Participants
8950Q.C. Reviews on Applications Taken by SSA
8960Processing Joint Food Stamp/AFDC Applications
8961Processing Applications on Potentially Categorically Eligible Households
8962Expedited Households
8963Eligible Households
8964Ineligible Households
8964.1SSI Households
8964.2AFDC Households
8965Restorations to Categorically Eligible Households
8970Processing Applications From Households Where Child Abuse Has Occurred
9000Expedited Case Actions
9100Summary
9200Households Entitled to Expedited Services
9300Pre-Screening Applications
9321Applications Submitted in Person
9322Applications Received by Mail
9323Agency Conference
9400Processing Standards
9410Late Determinations of Expedited Services Entitlement
9420Scheduling Interviews
9430Out-of-Office Interviews
9440Processing Expedited Applications
9441Verification
9442The SSN Requirement
9443Work Registration
9444Resources
9445Determining Income
9446Determining Income for Destitute Households
9447Sources of Income for Destitute Households
9448Limits on Special Income Calculations for Destitute Households
9500Assigning Certification Periods
9510Postponing Verification for Distitute Households
9600Notices/Forms
10000Recertification
10100Recertification - Summary
10200Receipt of a Notice of Expiration
10210Preparation of Notice of Expiration
10300Timely Submission of an Application for Recertification
10310Uninterrupted Benefits
10400Untimely Submission of an Application for Recertification
10500The Recertification Interview
10510Scheduling Recertification Interviews
10520Failure to Attend Scheduled Interview
10530Out-of-Office Interview
10600Timely Processing of Applications for Recertification
10610Thirty Days After Last Allotment
10620By End of Current Certification Period
10630Extending Processing Time
10640Delays in Processing
10700Processing Untimely Applications for Recertification
10710Determining Eligibility
10800Special Procedures for Recertifying Monthly Reporting Households
10810Applications For Recertification Filed At SSA Office
11000Changes
11100Summary
11200Changes Required to be Reported
11210Reporting Requirements for Applicant Households
11220Reporting Requirements for Currently Certified Households
11230How Households May Report
11240Failure to Report Changes
11300General Instructions for Handling Reported Changes
11310General Processing Standards
11320Shortening the Certification Period
11330Categorically Eligible Households
11340Mid-Point Reviews on 24 Month Certification
11341Processing Timeframes
11342Interviews
11343Processing Midpoint Review Forms
11344Handling Medical Expenses
11345Notices
11346Changes After the Midpoint Review
11400Processing Reported Changes
11410Changes in Income
11411Requirement
11412Processing Standards
11413Review
11414Verification
11416Completing the Change
11420Changes in Resources
11421Requirement
11422Processing Standards
11423Review
11424Verification
11425Completing the Change
11430Changes in Household Composition
11431Requirement
11432Processing Standards
11433Review
11434Verification
11435Completing the Change
11436Additional Information
11440Address Changes
11442Processing Standards
11443Review of Reported Change
11444Verification
11445Completing the Change
11446Additional Information
11450Changes in Medical Expenses
11451Requirement
11452Processing Standards
11453Review
11454Verification
11455Completing the Change
11500Processing Changes Which Were Not Required to be Reported
11600Reporting Requirements for PA Households
11610Changes Reported to AFDC Workers
11620Adverse Changes to AFDC Grant and Food Stamp Allotment
11630Adverse Change to AFDC Grant/Increase in Food Stamp Allotment
11700Processing Other Changes
11710Changes Reported by Other DEMS Personnel
11720Reports From Nursing Home Workers
11730Reports From Service Workers
11740Reports From Quality Control (Q.C.)
11750Information Obtained Through Field Investigations
11760Changes Discovered Through Sources Other Than the Agency
11770Reports by Individuals
11780Generally Known Information
11800Mass Changes
11810Automatically Processing the Change
11820County Responsibilities
11821List of Changes
11822List of Mismatches
11823List of Monthly Reporting Cases
11824List of Closures
11825Turnarounds or Budget Sheets
11900Special Situations/Exemptions From Notice
13000Supplements and Restorations
13100Summary
13200Supplemental Issuances
13210How to Determine Amount of Supplement
13300Restored Benefits
13310Actions to Take When Authorizing Restorations
13320Offsetting Claims
13330Restorations to Individuals Disqualified For Fraud
13340How to Issue Restored Benefits
13350Special Procedures For Restoring Benefits
13352When Household's Membership Has Changed
13360Rights to a Fair Hearing
14000Food Stamp Mail Out (FSMO)
14100Summary
14200Authorizing Issuance Via FSMO
14210Holds
14220Daily Issuance Extract
14230Issuance Via Certified Mail
14300Types of Issuance
14301Chart - Types of Issuance
14310Precancels
14320Special Procedures
14321Change of Address - After Regular Monthly Extract
14322Proration Start Date
14323Variable Allotment
14324Out-of-State Address
14325FSMO Cancellation Report/FSMO Holds
14400Replacements
14401Food Stamps Lost or Stolen After Delivery
14410Reporting Mail Losses
14420Replacement Procedures
14430Special Procedures for Replacement
14431Partial Replacement of Allotment
14432Food or Food Stamps Lost in a Household Misfortune
14433Replacement of Mutilated Coupons
14500Return of Food Stamps by the Household
14510Instructions for Accepting Returns
14511Chart - Accepting Returns/County Office Project Codes
14600Annual Reconciliation of Food Stamp Issuance
14610Conducting the Reconciliation
14620The Reconciliation Initial
14630Items of Reconciliation
14640Reconciling with the EMS-230
14650Reconciling with the Case Record
14660Problems
14670Reporting Completion of the Reconciliation
14700Issuance During Disaster Period
15000Overpayments
15100Summary
15200When to Prepare an Overpayment
15300Timely Submission of an Overpayment
15400Preparing the Overpayment
15401Preparing Overpayments for Households Participating in Workfare/Work Experience
15402Households Who Remain Workfare/Work Experience Eligibility
15403Households who Do Not Remain Workfare/Work Experience Eligible
15404Preparing Overpayments for Categorically Eligible Households
15410Type of Overpayment
15420Completion of the EMS-217
15430Review and Submission of the Overpayment
15500Overpayment Unit Responsibilities
15510Accounting Section Responsibilities
15520Initial Actions
15530Collections
15531Initiating Collection
15532Renegotiation of the Payment Schedule
15533Households Who Fail to Cooperate With the Overpayment Unit
15534Terminating Collection Action
15600Special Procedures for Handling Suspected Intentional Program Violation Overpayments
15610Initial Actions - The Overpayments Unit
15620Initial Actions - The Fraud Unit
15630Collection Action on Intentional Program Violation Cases
15640Suspension of Intentional Program Violation Claims
15700Recoupment (Allotment Reduction)
15800Accepting Food Stamps as Payment on an Overpayment
15810Established Overpayments
15820New Overpayments
15830Preventing an Overpayment
15840Altered Allotments
15900State Income Tax Refund Interception
15910Cases Eligible for Interception
15920Allocation of State Tax Refund
15930Federal Tax Intercept
15940Debts Referred for Offset
1595060 Day Advance Notice
15960Appeal Rights
15970Appeal of State Agency Reviews
16000Fair Hearings/Disqualification Hearings
16100Summary
16200Uniform Rules of Procedure
16300The Household's Right to Appeal
16310Requesting the Hearing
16320Designation of a Representative
16330Time Frames for Requesting a Hearing
16400Denial or Dismissal of Request
16500The Administrative Hearing Process
16510Beginning the Administrative Hearing Process
16511The Administrative Hearing File
16512Review of the Administrative Hearing File
16513Subpoena of Witnesses
16514Continuation of Benefits
16520Scheduling the Hearing
16521Expedited Hearings
16522Group Hearings
16523Notification of the Hearing
16524Postponement of the Hearing
16530The Hearing
16531The County Office's Responsibilities
16532The Hearing Officer
16533Conducting the Hearing
16534The Fair Hearing Decision
16535Contents of the Hearing Decision
16536Notification of Hearing Decision
16537Judicial Review
16540The County Office's Responsibilities Upon Receipt of Final Decision
16541Decisions Which Uphold the Household
16542Decisions Which Uphold the County
16550State Tax Refund Intercept (STRI) Hearing Procedures
16600Disqualification for Intentional Program Violation
16700Administrative Disqualification Hearings
16701When a Hearing is Conducted
16702Limitations
16703Consolidation of Hearings
16704Responsibility for Conducting Hearings
16710How a Disqualification Hearing is Initiated
16711Referral by the Overpayment Unit
16712Referral by the Fraud Investigation Unit of OGC
16720Preparation of Administrative Disqualification File
16721Cases Referred by the Overpayment Unit
16722Cases Referred by the Fraud Unit
16730Cancellation of a Hearing by the County Office
16740Advance Notice
16750Waived Hearings
16760Scheduling of Hearing
16761Review of the Administrative Disqualification File
16761.1 Requesting Subpoenas
16762Postponement of a Scheduled Hearing by the Household
16770Participation In the Program During the Hearing Process
16780Conducting the Hearing
16781Attendance
16782The Household's Rights During the Hearing
16782.1 Representatives for the Household
16783The Hearing Officer's Role
16790The Decision
16791Timely Action
16792Absence of Intentional Program Violation
16793Finding of Intentional Program Violation
16800Imposing the Disqualification - County Office Actions
16810Disqualified Recipient Information Program System (DRIPS) and the WIPV Screen
16815Quarterly IPV Reports
16816Action on DRIPS Data
16820Overpayment Unit Actions
16830Imposition of Disqualification When a Waiver is Signed
16840Court Imposed Disqualifications
16900Appeal Rights After the Hearing
16910Judicial Review
16920Reversed Disqualifications
17000Disaster Procedures
17100Summary
17200Determination of A Disaster
17300The Application Process
17310Filing an Application
17320Household Cooperation
17330Interviews
17340Processing Standards
17350Determining Eligibility
17351Calculating the Budget
17352Determining Income
17353Determining Liquid Resources
17354Determining Allowable Disaster Related Expenses
17355Verification
17360Certification Period
17370Basis of Coupon Issuance
17380Notices
17390Identification Cards
17400Fair Hearings
17500Transition to the Regular Food Stamp Program
17510Treatment of Households Certified Under the Ongoing Food Stamp Program
17520Controls to Minimize Duplicate Participation During Disasters
17600Issuance Procedures
17700Program Monitoring and Review
18000Procedures For Reducing, Suspending, Or Cancelling Benefits
18100Purpose/General Information
18200Notification
18300Allotment Reduction
18400Suspensions and Cancellations
18500Expedited Services
18600Certification Periods
18700Restoration of Reduced, Cancelled or Suspended Allotments
18800Fair Hearings