Changes Resulting in an Increase in Benefits 430-05-67-15-05

(Revised 04/01/07 ML3072)

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Any change that results in an increase in benefits must be verified. When verification is not provided, F419 – “Request for Verification” must be sent allowing the household 10 days from the mail date of the notice to verify the reported change.

 

  1. If the household provides verification within the 10-day period, the worker must act on the reported change within 10 days and send the household the appropriate notice.
  2. If the household fails to provide verification within the 10-day period, the previously verified amount of the reported change is used and the benefit stays the same.

If there is no previously verified amount (i.e. household reports now paying rent and previously had not), no change is made and the benefit stays the same.

  1. If the household fails to provide verification within the 10-day period and provides verification at a later date, benefits are increased the month after receipt of the verification.

Examples:

  1. Worker receives an alert that child support was received in the base month for an ongoing case.  Using base month child support results in an increase in benefits.  The alert must be acted on.
  2. The annual changes in the Thrifty Food Plan, Gross and Net Income Limits, Standard Deduction, Maximum Shelter Deduction and the Mandatory Utility Standards must be acted on as they will result in an increase in benefits.  The household must be notified of their new reporting requirement (Gross Income Limit) at six month report or recertification, whichever occurs first.  The worker must send the appropriate change in benefit notice.
  3. A household reports that a job ended.  The worker must send Notice F419 – Request for Verification – Simplified Reporting.  If the household responds and provides the requested information within 10 days of the mailing date of the notice, the change must be acted on to increase benefits and the appropriate notice must be sent to the household.

If the household fails to provide the requested verification within the 10 days, the previously verified amount of income is used and the benefit stays the same.  

 

If the household fails to provide the requested verification within the 10 days, but provides it at a later date, benefits are increased the month after receipt of the verification.  

 

If verification from the employer substantiates a job quit and the individual was a mandatory work registrant, the change must be acted on regardless of whether it results in an increase or a decrease in benefits.

  1. Husband, wife and their three children over the age of six apply and are certified as a simplified reporting household.  The husband and wife are both working 30 hours per week at the time of application. In month 3 of the certification period, the household reports the husband was fired from his job.  Since this change will result in an increase in benefits, the change must be verified.  The worker sends the F419 requesting verification of the loss of income. The household provides verification from the employer, verifying the individual was fired with no reason given.  

Since the verification does not substantiate a voluntary job quit disqualification without good cause, the possible disqualification must be explored at the six month report. The income is removed resulting in an increase in benefits.  Since this was not a mandatory reportable change, the individual does not have to comply with the work requirements until recertification.

 

If the household reported the husband was fired for drinking on the job, the husband is disqualified and the income is removed regardless of the effect on the benefit, as the verification of the job end from the employer is primary source verification.   

  1. Single individual with no income applies and is eligible for the three NE months.  The individual is certified for 12 months as a simplified reporting household.  The worker sends an advance notice to close the case in the third NE month.  On the 21st of the month the individual calls and reports they are working 25 hours per week at $6.00 per hour.  

Since this will result in an increase in benefits from the case closure, the F419 must be sent to verify the new source of income and hours.  If verification is received within 10 days, the individual’s participation must be changed to IN and the income added.  If the individual fails to provide verification within the 10 days, the case will close at the end of the month.