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

(Revised 10/01/18 ML3532)

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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.

If a change that results in an increase in benefits is reported and verified for an ongoing month, the change must be acted on.

Example:

Household reports on August 18 they are no longer working. Verification indicates their last paycheck will be received in September. The verified income from their last check will be used for September. The verified change must also be acted on for October by removing this source of income as it will result in an increase in benefits.

 

If the household fails to respond or refuses to provide verification within the 10-day period, the worker must send the F401 -Failure to Provide Information. A 10-day advance notice is required.

 

2. If the household fails to respond or refuses to provide verification within the 10-day period, the worker must send the F401 -Failure to Provide Information. A 10-day advance notice is required. Case is closed with a 10-day advance notice.
   

Examples:

1. Worker receives an alert for Medicaid 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. The household must be notified of their new reporting requirement (Gross Income Limit) at review.  The worker must send the appropriate change in benefit notice.

If a household reports other changes during the month of September they must be acted on at the same time as the annual changes.

The worker must send the F419- Request for Verification.

If verification is provided within the 10-day period and benefits increase, the worker must act on the change within 10 days and send the household the appropriate notice.

If the reported change would result in an increase in benefits and the household fails to respond or refuses to provide the requested verification within the 10-day period, the worker must send the F401 – Failure to Provide Information. A 10-day advance notice is required.

 

If verification is provided within the 10-day period and benefits decrease or case closure results, a 10-day advance notice is required. If the change was reported in writing and signed by the household, adequate notice is required.

If the reported change would result in a decrease in benefits and the household fails to respond or refuses to provide the requested verification within the 10-day period, the change must be acted on using what the household initially reported and a 10-day advance notice is required unless the change was reported in writing and signed by the household adequate notice is required.

3. A household reports that a job ended.  The worker must send Notice F419 – Request for Verification.  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 10 days, the worker must send the F401 – Failure to Provide Information. A 10-day advance notice is required.

4. Husband, wife and their three children over the age of six apply and are approved.  The husband and wife are both working 30 hours per week at the time of application. In month 3 of the review 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.  

The income is removed resulting in an increase in benefits.  

5. Single individual with no income applies and is eligible for three NE ABAWD months.  The individual is certified for 6 months.  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 minimum wage.

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 in TECS and the income added.  If the individual fails to provide verification within 10 days the case is closed. The worker must send the F401 – Failure to Provide Inforamtion. A 10-day advance notice is required.

6. An eligible ABAWD (working 20 hours per week averaged monthly), reports the loss of a job. The worker sends the F419 to determine if the individual is exempt from the ABAWD requirements for another reason and to verify the loss of income.  

If the household responds and verifies the loss of income and the individual is exempt for another reason, the worker must act on the reported change.

If the household responds and verifies the loss of income and the individual is not exempt from the requirements for another reason, the worker must act on the reported change.

If the household does not respond to the F419, the case is closed. The worker must send the F401 – Failure to Provide Information