Drug Addiction/Alcohol Treatment/Rehabilitation Program 430-05-30-10

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

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An individual and their children under 22 years of age who reside with them at a drug or alcohol treatment center on a resident basis are certified as a separate household.

 

Exception:

Narcotic addicts or alcoholics who live under the supervision of a private nonprofit institution, or a publicly operated community mental health center for the purpose of regular participation in a treatment program are considered individual households.

 

Prior to certifying any residents for food stamps, the county must verify that the treatment center is authorized by FNS as a retailer or is certified by the DHS, Substance Abuse Services Unit, including a determination that the center is a nonprofit organization.

 

Centers must provide the county with a list of currently participating residents on a monthly basis. The list must include a statement signed by a responsible center official attesting to the validity of the list. Additionally, the county must make periodic random on-site visits to assure the accuracy of the listing and that county records are consistent and up-to-date. These random onsite visits must be conducted at least annually and the following information must be submitted to the State office:

• Date of the visit.

• Name of the individual conducting the onsite visit.

• Name of the center visited.

• Name of the individual at the center that assisted in the onsite visit.

• The accuracy of the monthly list supplied by the center. If a discrepancy is identified it must be included in the report to the State office.

 

Treatment/Rehabilitation Center Responsibilities

1. Each authorized center must provide the county with a monthly list of currently participating residents including a statement signed by a responsible center official attesting to the validity of the list.  The listing must include the following identifiable information for each individual participating in the program and additional information for individuals who leave the facility:

1. Individual’s first and last name.
2. SSN
3. Case Number
4. Any changes in income or household circumstances.
5. Date the individual left the center.
6. Amount of food stamp benefits returned to the individual upon their departure.

When the monthly list is received, the county is responsible to:

1. Verify that the client’s case status is appropriate as reported by the center.
2. Make any appropriate changes to the case based on the information reported by the center.
3. Validate that the correct amount of benefits have been credited to the client’s EBT account.
4. SFN 788 – Group Living Arrangement and Drug/Alcohol Treatment Center Report, is completed quarterly and a copy provided to the State FS Office.  This report lists the facilities in which a client currently resides or had resided at sometime during the quarter.

2. The county must conduct periodic random on-site visits to assure the accuracy of the list and that the county’s records are consistent and up-to-date.  These reviews must be conducted at least annually using SFN 450 – County Social Service Office On-Site Review Report, which is then sent to the State FS Office.
3. Once the individual leaves the center, the center is no longer allowed to act as that individual’s authorized representative.
4. The treatment center must give the individual their EBT card when they leave the center.
5. If the individual leaves the center after benefits have been issued and no benefits were spent, the center must provide the individual with the full month’s benefit.  This applies at any time during the month.  

If the individual leaves the center prior to the 16th day of the month and some or all of the benefits have been spent, the treatment center must provide the individual with their EBT card and one half of the individual’s monthly benefit.

 

If the individual leaves on or after the 16th day of the month, the EBT card and all remaining benefits must be returned to the individual.

6. If the individual leaves the center unannounced, the center must, at the end of the month, return the individual’s EBT card and remaining benefits to the county along with identifying information from the individual.
7. The center is responsible for any misrepresentation of facts as it relates to residents.  The center is liable for all misuse of food stamp benefits.
8. The center representative must give the individual a SFN 378 – Change Report Form and advise the individual to report the change in circumstances to the county within 10 days.

Exception:

The center is not required to provide an SFN 378 – Change Report Form if the individual leaves the center unannounced.  

 

Treatment of Assets

Assets of an individual and their children under 22 years of age are counted.

 

Treatment of Income

Income of an individual and their children under 22 years of ager are counted.

 

Treatment of Expenses

Expenses of an individual and their children under 22 years of age are allowed as a deduction.