Simplified Reporting Requirements 430-05-67-05

(Revised 09/01/2020 ML3587)

View Archives

IM 5445

 

 

All households are subject to simplified reporting requirements.  Simplified reporting households will be certified for 6 months with an interview required at 12 month review.

 

Exception:

Simplified reporting households with all elderly or disabled members and no earned income will be certified for 12 months with an interview required at 12 month review.  

 

All simplified reporting households will be authorized through for six or 12 months, whichever is appropriate.

 

Exception:

  1. Households that contain an ABAWD who is receiving NE or EE months cannot be authorized through.
  2. Households that contain an individual in an open TANF, including Diversion Assistance, Transitional Assistance, TANF Pay After Performance or TANF Kinship Care case cannot be authorized through.

 

When a household files an application for review at 6 months with no interview required and reports the only household members are now elderly or disabled with no earned income, if eligible, the household will be certified for an additional 12 months with no interview.

 

Mandatory Reportable Changes

Certified household must report the following mandatory changes by the 10th day of the month following the month of the change.

 

Mandatory changes occurring after the interview or after a review is filed with no interview but before the date of the notice of eligibility must be reported by the 10th of the month following the notice of eligibility.

  1. Households must report a change in actual income from the base month when it exceeds the gross income limit for the household size (130% of poverty level) by the 10th day of the following month.  Actual income is countable earned and unearned income that has not been converted or averaged.

To determine actual income, households must be advised to total their SNAP household’s income at the end of the month.  If new individuals are present in the home, their income must be included.  If individuals have left the home, their income is not included.  If the income of all those present exceeds the original gross income limit for the household size, then the household is required to report the income.

 

Exceptions:

 

a. If at application or review a household is categorically eligible or TANF I & R and income exceeds the gross income limit for the household size (130% of poverty level) and the household is eligible for a benefit, the household is not required to report any change in income.

b. If an ongoing case that is categorically eligible or TANF I & R reports a change in income that exceeds the gross income limit for the household size (130% of poverty level), and the household is eligible for a benefit, the household is not required to report any further changes in income.

 

Examples:

  1. A household reports actual income that exceeds the 130% gross income limit for its household size and based on this income is not eligible for a benefit.  The household anticipates that actual income will continue to exceed the 130% gross income limit.  The eligibility worker must send an advance notice to close the case.
  2. A household of four applies and is approved.  The household is informed of the 130% gross income limit for its household size of four and they must report if their income goes over this limit.

In month three the household reports a new member with income moved in and income now exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of four.  The household remains eligible after adding the new member.  The household must now report if their gross monthly income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of five.   

  1. A household with an individual who is disqualified (not elderly or disabled) with no earned income and a disabled individual and is subject to report based on the 130% gross income limit for a household size of one.  
  2. A three person household is approved and informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of three.  In month three the household reports a new individual moved in with income that results in the household exceeding the 130% gross income limit for a three person household.  The household is required to report their income exceeding the 130% gross income limit by the 10th day of month four.

Since the new member purchases and prepares meals with the household, the new member and their income must be added to the case.

If the household remains eligible by adding the new member and their income, the household must be informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of four.

If the household is not eligible by adding the new member and their income, the Request for Verification Notice must be sent to determine if the income will continue.

  1. If the household does not respond to the Request for Verification Notice, the case must be closed by sending the Notice of Eligibility failure to provide verification documented. A 10-day advance notice is required unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.
  2. If the household responds and expects the income to continue, the eligibility worker must close the case with an advance notice, unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.
  3. If the household responds and does not know if this income will continue, the eligibility worker must close the case with an advance notice, unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.  

If the household verifies prior to case closure that gross income is below the 130% GIL for its household size, the eligibility worker must revert the case to open and determine eligibility and level of benefits using the newly verified income.

  1. If the household responds and states they do not expect the income to continue, the household must provide verification other then client statement that their income will not continue to exceed the 130% gross income limit for their household size.

If the newly verified income results in an increase or decrease in benefits, the change must be acted on.

  1. Mom, Dad and two children apply and are approved and informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of four.  Dad leaves the home in month four.  The household did not report and is not required to report Dad left the home.  Dad’s income is not included in determining if the household’s income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of four.
  2. Sally and her daughter Molly live in the same home and purchase and prepare their meals separate from Jill and her son Michael.  Both Sally and Molly and Jill and Michael apply and are approved in February as separate households.  Both households must be informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% GIL for a household size of two.  

Jill and Michael’s income is not considered in Sally’s case and Sally and Molly’s income is not considered in Jill’s case as they have been determined to be a separate household.

In April, Jill’s husband Al returns to the home.  Al’s income results in a household size of two exceeding the 130% GIL.  Both Sally and Jill are required to report their income exceeds the 130% GIL for a household size of two.

Since Al is required to be in Jill’s case, no changes are made to Sally’s case.

If Jill’s case remains eligible by adding Al and his income, the household must be informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% GIL for a household size of three.

If Jill’s case is not eligible by adding Al and his income, the Request for Verification Notice must be sent to determine if the income will continue.

  1. If they do not respond to the Request for Verification Notice, the case must be closed by sending the Notice of Eligibility with the failure to provide information documented. A 10 day advance notice unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.
  2. If they respond and expect the income to continue, the eligibility worker must close the case with an advance notice, unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.
  3. If they respond and do not know if this income will continue, the eligibility worker must close the case with an advance notice, unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.  

If they verify prior to case closure that gross income is below the 130% GIL for their household size, the eligibility worker must revert the case to open and determine eligibility and level of benefits using the newly verified income.

  1. If the household responds and states they do not expect the income to continue, they must provide verification other then client statement that their income will not continue to exceed the gross income limit for their household size.

If the newly verified income results in an increase or decrease in benefits, the change must be acted on.

  1. A three person household is approved and informed to report if their income exceeds the 130% gross income limit for a household size of three.  In month three the household reports a new individual moved in with income that results in the household exceeding the 130% gross income limit for a three person household.  The household is required to report their income exceeding the 130% gross income limit by the 10th day of month four.

Since the new member purchases and prepares meals separately from the household, the new member and their income are not added.  The three person household remains eligible and must report if their income exceeds the 130% GIL for a household size of three.  The household does not need to continue to report the new members income monthly as they have been determined to be a separate household.  

  1. Heather and John apply for benefits.  John is determined to be an ineligible student.  Heather is approved and informed to report if her income exceeds the 130% GIL for a household size of one.  In determining if income exceeds the 130% GIL, Heather only needs to include the portion of John's income that is made available to her.

 

  1. When a household member is identified as an ABAWD and the household members eligibility is based on working an average of 20 hours weekly, the household must report if the ABAWD’s hours decrease below an average of 20 hours weekly.

Example:

A household reports an eligible ABAWD reduced their hours to less then 20 hours weekly.  The household anticipates the hours will continue to be less then 20 hours weekly.  The eligibility worker must send an advance notice to disqualify the individual from the case unless the individual is eligible for Non-Exempt or Exemption Extension months.

 

  1. When a household member has substantial lottery or gaming winnings equal to or greater than $3,500. Substantial lottery or gaming winnings are defined as a cash prize won in a single game before taxes or other amounts are withheld.

When a household reports the receipt of substantial lottery or gaming winnings of equal to or greater than $3,500, the SNAP case must close.

Households who had their SNAP case closed due to substantial lottery or gaming winnings will remain ineligible until they meet the assets and income eligibility requirements. The household must then reapply and be determined eligible under regular SNAP rules.

Regular SNAP rules require these households to pass the asset test and 130% gross income and 100% net income tests.