Food and Nutrition Services Change Notices

CHANGE NOTICE FOR MANUAL

MANUAL: Food Stamp Certification Manual

CHANGE NO: 9-2003 Date May 23, 2003

TO: County Directors of Social Services

EFFECTIVE June 1, 2003, make the following changes to the Food Stamp Certification Manual.

I. BACKGROUND

The purpose of this change notice is to add new policy to the Food Stamp Certification Manual based upon the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Public Law 107-171.

II. SPECIFIC CHANGES

A. Section 210, Household Composition

Removes references to Quarterly Recertifications.

B. Section 268, Budgeting Stable Income

Removes information concerning assignment of certification periods and references to educational assistance.

Adds references to Food Stamp Certification Manual Sections 400 through 550 for guidance in determining appropriate reporting requirements prior to determining if necessary to react to changes in income.

Adds policy that food stamp units (FSU’s) in the Standard and Simplified Recertification categories must report when gross monthly unearned income changes by $100 or more.

Deletes references Manual Section 400, Changes in Situation.

C. Section 270, Budgeting Fluctuating Income

Removes references to pure Supplemental Security Income (SSI) FSU’s and educational assistance.

Removes policy concerning assignment of certification periods and quarterly recertifications.

Removes policy related to shortening certification periods.

Deletes references to Section 400, Changes in Situation.

Adds references to Sections 400 through 550 for guidance in determining appropriate reporting requirements prior to determining if necessary to react to changes in income.

D. Section 273, Special Budgeting Procedures

Clarifies that Medicaid and North Carolina Health Choice are considered federal means-tested assistance programs when determining qualifying quarters.

Adds instructions for budgeting self-employment income for FSU’s certified for six months.

E. Section 280, Income Deductions

Deletes references to Section 400, Changes in Situation.

Adds new policy regarding reacting to reported changes in deductions during the certification period.

Adds clarification that FSU’s who live in public/private housing with a central utility meter and are charged for excess heating/cooling expenses should have been billed for excess expenses in the last 12 months.

F. Section 290, Controlled Substance Felons

Deletes references to Food Stamp Manual Section 400, Changes in Situation.

G. Section 355 is obsolete.

H. Section 400, Standard Recertification Category, Replaces Section 400, Changes in Situation

Adds new policy concerning FSU’s who are eligible for the Standard Recertification Category and incorporates the change reporting policy and recertification requirements into a single section.

I. Current Sections 400 through 525 are being incorporated into new manual sections 400, 450, 500, and 550.

J. Section 450, Semi-Annual Recertification Category

Adds new policy concerning FSU’s who are eligible for the Semi-Annual Recertification Category and incorporates the change reporting policy and recertification requirements into a single section.

K. Section 500, Simplified Recertification Category, Replaces Section 500, Recertifications

Adds new policy concerning FSU’s who are eligible for the Simplified Recertification Category and incorporates the change reporting policy and recertification requirements into a single section.

L. Section 550, Transitional Food Stamp Benefits

Adds new policy for Transitional Food Stamp Benefits.

M. Section 635, Notices, replaces Section 405, Notices.

Adds new policy for Change Report Forms DSS-8550 and DSS-8550SR.

III. IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUCTIONS

These changes are effective June 1, 2003.

IV. INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE FOOD STAMP MANUAL

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

Sincerely,

Suzanne W. Marshall, Chief

Food Assistance and Energy Programs

SWM/RRM/bh

FSs210

FSs268

FSs270

FSs273

FSs280

FSs290

FSs400

FSs450

FSs500

FSs550

FSs635