Food and Nutrition Services - Admin. Letters

DSS ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER NO. ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE 5-2003

(Food Stamps)

TO: County Directors of Social Services

ATTENTION: Food Stamp Supervisors

SUBJECT: Income and Resource Exclusions

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 1, 2003

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-171) allows State agencies to implement options to exclude certain types of income and resources, to the extent that these types of income and resources are excluded under that state's TANF or Medicaid programs. This expands the types of Educational Assistance and non-liquid resources excluded from the Food Stamp Program eligibility determination process.

Under Sections 4102 and 4107 of Public Law 107-171, Simplified Definition of Income and Simplified Definition of Resources, North Carolina has opted to establish rules and implement policy to exclude certain types of income and resources to align with Work First and Medicaid policies.

The purpose of this letter is to provide policy changes based on the new Temporary Administrative Rules adopted and amended February 14, 2003 regarding income and resources exclusions for the Food Stamp Program.

II. POLICY AND PROCEDURES

A. Exclude all countable Educational Assistance as income for the FSU when determining eligibility for assistance except:

1. Scholarships offered by civic groups;

2. Scholarships offered by institutions; and

3. Athletic scholarships.

B. Exclude the following from resources for the FSU when determining eligibility for assistance:

1. Heir Property;

2. Burial Plots/Spaces;

3. Lifetime Estate;

4. Remainder Interest; and

5. All Land or Buildings.

III. IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUCTIONS

Effective March 1, 2003, apply the above policy and procedures to all food stamp applications, recertifications, and changes in situation. This information will be added to the Food Stamp Certification Manual as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, please contact your Program Integrity Representative.

Sincerely,

Wilbert R. Morris, Chief

Economic Independence Section

WRM/KL/sw