Action on Changes Reported by Source Other than the Household 430-05-65-55

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

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Any change reported from a source other than the household must be acted on by sending the F442. The household has 10 days from the mailing date to respond and provide the requested information. If the household provides the requested information within 10 days, the worker has 10 days to act on the information.

 

If the household fails to respond or refuses to provide the requested information within 10 days, the worker will receive an alert to send the F401.

 

If it is prior to advance notice deadline the worker must send the F401 and the case will close at the end of the month.

 

If it is after advance notice deadline the worker cannot send the F401 until the first of the month. Benefits for the last month of the certification period are authorized the same as the previous month.

 

Exception:

If the last month of the certification period includes an extra check or if the second to the last month included an extra check, this change must be acted on for the last month of the certification period as it is considered known information to the agency.

 

If the household provides the requested information anytime during the advance notice period, the information must be acted on within 10 days and the case cannot be closed.

 

Exception:

Medical expenses that are reported from a source other than the household during the certification period must not be acted on if the worker must contact the household for verification.

 

Example:

A niece calls to report that her aunt who is on food stamps is paying $60 a month for prescriptions. The worker is prohibited from contacting the aunt.

 

The worker must act on changes in medical expenses that it learns about from a source other than the household if those changes do not require contact with the household.

 

Examples:

1. In a combination FS/MA case if the entire recipient liability is being allowed as a medical expense deduction and it changes, change the amount allowed as an expense for food stamp purposes based on the new recipient liability.
2. The annual increase in Medicare premiums.

 

Exception:

In combination FS/MA cases when processing the cost of living adjustment changes in December of each year, if the recipient liability is being averaged, do not change the amount allowed as a medical expense deduction for food stamp purposes. When the household is recertified, reaverage using the new recipient liability.