149 MASS CHANGES (FAM)

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The state or federal government initiates mass changes that can affect all individuals or large numbers of individuals. Mass changes include the following:

• income eligibility standards;

• cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, SSI, VA, and other federal benefits; or

• other eligibility criteria based on legislation or regulations.

When mass changes occur:

• eligibility or benefits are adjusted automatically; and

• a Notice of Decision is generated to notify individuals of the results of any changes.

If an individual requests an administrative appeal as a result of a decrease or termination in benefits, reinstate benefits to the pre-change level only if the appeal is requested within 15 days from the date on the notice of the action being appealed and the issue contested is that:

• eligibility or the amount of benefits was improperly computed; or

• a federal law or regulation was misapplied or misinterpreted.