Action on Multiple Reported Changes 430-05-67-15-25

(Revised 04/01/08 ML3136)

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If a household reports multiple changes that result in a decrease in benefits or no benefit change, the changes must not be acted on until review.

Exceptions:

1. If a household reports changes during the month of September that are being acted on at the same time as the annual changes that result in a decrease in benefits, then only the cost of living adjustments are used to increase benefits for October.
2. If a household reports a change that meets the criteria to decrease benefits and other changes that result in a decrease in benefits or no change, then only the change(s) that meet the criteria to decrease benefits are acted on.  The change(s) that meet the criteria to decrease benefits may then result in a decrease, increase or no change in benefits.  The worker must document other changes were not acted on as they resulted in a decrease in benefits and did not meet the criteria.

If the changes meet the criteria to decrease benefits, the changes must be acted on within 10 days from the date the changes were reported and a 10 day advance notice must be sent.  If the changes are reported in writing and signed by the household, a 10 day advance notice is not required.  Adequate notice is required.

 

If a household reports multiple changes that result in an increase in benefits or the benefit determination is unclear, the changes must be verified.  If the household does not provide verification, the F419 – “Request for Verification” must be sent allowing the household 10 days from the mail date of the notice to verify the reported changes.

1. If the household provides verification of one, some or all of the reported changes within the 10-day period and it results in an increase in benefits, the worker must act on the verified change(s) within 10 days and send the household the appropriate notice. Changes that are not verified are not acted on.
2. If the household fails to provide verification of any of the reported changes within the 10-day period, the reported changes are not acted on, the previously verified amount is used and the benefit stays the same.
3. If the household provides verification of one, some or all of the reported changes at a later date and the changes result in an increase in benefits, benefits are increased the month after receipt of the verification.
4. If the household responds and provides sufficient information/verification of one, some or all reported changes or provides sufficient information/verification at a later date and they result in a decrease in benefits, the changes must not be acted on until review.  Changes that are not verified are not acted on.

Exceptions:

1. If a household reports changes during the month of September that are being acted on at the same time as the annual changes that result in a decrease in benefits, then only the cost of living adjustments are used to increase benefits for October.
2. If a household reports a change that meets the criteria to decrease benefits and other changes that result in a decrease in benefits or no change, then only the change(s) that meet the criteria to decrease benefits are acted on.  The change(s) that meet the criteria to decrease benefits may then result in a decrease, increase or no change in benefit.  The worker must document other changes were not acted on as they resulted in a decrease in benefits and did not meet the criteria.

If the change meets the criteria to decrease benefits, the change must be acted on within 10 days from the date the change was reported and a 10 day advance notice must be sent.  If the change is reported in writing and signed by the household, a 10 day advance notice is not required.  Adequate notice is required.

 

Examples:

1. A household reports the loss of a job and new employment.  The worker sends Notice F419 requesting verification of new source and terminated source income.  The household provides the last day of work and the final pay check (including any vacation pay) for the job loss and the number of hours they will be working, dates they will be paid and the first pay check that includes the hourly wage for the new source of income.  The changes do not put the household over the 130% gross income limit.  If the changes result in an increase in benefits, the changes must be acted on.  

If the changes result in a decrease in benefits, the changes are not acted on.  The changes must be acted on at review.

If the household fails to provide verification of any of the reported changes within the 10-day period, the reported changes are not acted on, the previously verified amount is used and the benefit stays the same.  

2. A household reports the loss of a job and new employment.  The worker sends Notice F419 requesting verification of new source and terminated source income.  The household provides the last day of work and the final pay check (including any vacation pay) for the job loss but does not provide verification of the new source of income.  Removing the income from the job loss results in an increase in benefits and must be acted on. The new source income is not acted on until review.   
3. A household reports a new household member, a change in rent and a change in income. The worker is unclear what effect these changes have on the benefit and sends the F419 for verification needed to add the new household member, the change in rent and the change in income.  

If the household verifies the changes and they result in an increase in benefits, the changes are acted on.  

If the household verifies the changes and they result in a decrease in benefits, only the new household member is added as adding a new household member meets the criteria to decrease benefits.  

4. A SNAP/MA household reports and verifies a change in earned income and resulting change in child care costs and reports a change in rent but does not provide verification.  The worker also receives an SDX alert indicating a change in SSI income of a household member.  The worker determines these changes result in an increase in benefits and sends the F419 allowing the household 10 days to provide verification of the rent expense.    

If the household fails to provide verification within 10 days, the worker must react to the verified changes in earned income, child care costs and SSI income.  The change in rent is not acted on as it was not verified.  

If the household provides verification, all changes must be acted on to increase benefits.  

If after verification is received, the changes result in a decrease in benefits, only the change in SSI income is made as it meets the criteria to decrease benefits.  The remaining changes must be acted on at review.

5. SNAP/ME case with multiple changes:

1. August 1, the worker receives a FACSES alert indicating child support was received in July.
2. August 9, the worker receives an SDX alert indicating a change in SSI for a child in the case.
3. August 17, mom reports her job ended and provides her last check.  

On August 17, the worker enters base month child support income and the change in SSI income on the benefit calculator to determine the effect on the benefit.  Mom’s earned income is not used as the last check is not questionable and verifies the job end.  

If the changes result in an increase in benefits, the changes must be acted on.

If the changes result in a decrease in benefits, only the change in SSI income is entered into TECS as the SDX alert meets the criteria to decrease benefits.  

On August 20, dad reports he is receiving UIB and reports he received his first check on August 19.  The worker determines this change will result in a decrease in benefits and it is not acted on as it does not meet the criteria to decrease benefits.  

If the worker had not taken action on any of the changes prior to August 20, then all changes would be considered when determining the effect on the benefit.  

6. SNAP only household.  On August 7 the husband reports he quit one of his two jobs.  On August 10, the husband provides 1 of two paystubs from the job he is currently employed at.  

The worker sends the F419 allowing the household 10 days to provide verification of the terminated source income and the remaining paystub from the current employment.  

If the household fails to provide the verifications, no changes are made.

If the household provides the verifications, the changes are acted if they result in an increase in benefits.  If the changes result in a decrease in benefits, the changes are not acted on until review.  

7. SNAP/ME household provides pay stubs and a childcare billing form.  The worker uses the benefit calculator to determine the effect on the benefit.  The result is no change in the benefit amount.

Since there is no change to the last issued or noticed benefit amount, the worker must document no changes made as no change in the benefit.  No changes are made in TECS.  

If subsequent changes are reported, the worker must determine the effect on the benefit against the last issued or noticed benefit.

8. Single pregnant woman applies and is certified in June and is claiming separate household status from the father of her child.  On August 10th mom reports her child was born on August 3rd and she will be on maternity leave in August and September.

The worker must send the F419 requesting verification to add the baby, verification of maternity leave and verification needed to add the father of the child to mom’s case.  

1. If verifications are provided, dad and the baby are added to mom’s case.  The household is now subject to the GIL for a household size of 3.

If dad was receiving SNAP in his own case, dad’s case must be closed with a 10-day advance notice before he can be added to mom’s case.   

2. If the verifications are not provided, no changes are made until review.

9. On August 15, the household reports an increase in rent from $100 to $125 and a new household member who is working 20 hours a week at $8.50 an hour.  The worker determines the changes will result in a decrease in benefits.  The F419 is sent for verifications necessary to add the new household member as this meets the criteria to decrease benefits.

The household provides the verifications and the individual is added for September with a 10-day advance notice.

In October the household provides verification of the change in rent report on August 15.  The worker determines the change in rent will result in an increase in benefit.  The change must be acted on for November benefits.