Replacement Issuance 430-05-85-10

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

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A replacement issuance must be provided when a household reports that food purchased with food stamp benefits was destroyed in a household disaster or misfortune. The household need not be currently participating.

The worker must determine that the destruction occurred in a household disaster, such as, but not limited to, a fire, flood, tornado, or loss of electricity due to a power outage. The worker must verify the loss through a collateral contact such as, but not limited to, the fire department, Red Cross, or a home visit.

The worker must document in the household’s case file each request for replacement, the date, the reason, and whether or not a replacement was provided.

Replacement issuances are provided only:

If a household timely reports the loss within 10 days of the loss.
If a signed statement or affidavit is received within 10 days of the date of the report.

The signed statement or affidavit must be faxed to the State Office as the State Office completes all replacements. The worker must retain a copy of the signed statement or affidavit in the case file. The signed statement or affidavit must include the following:

Amount destroyed up to the original issuance.
Specify the reason for replacement.
That the household is aware of the penalties for intentional misrepresentation of the facts, including but not limited to, a charge of perjury for a false claim.

If the worker does not receive the signed statement or affidavit within 10 days of the date of the report, no replacement is made. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, and the statement is received the day after the weekend or holiday, the worker must consider the statement timely.

There is no limit to the number of replacements.

The maximum replacement cannot be for more than one month and cannot be more than the Thrifty Food Plan if that had been the original amount issued, unless the issuance includes underpayments which must be replaced.