133 LENGTH OF ELIGIBILITY SR 00-19, 06/00 (FSM-A)

Food Stamp eligibility is determined for a specific period of time, called the certification period. At the end of the certification period, entitlement to Food Stamp benefits ends.

When the certification period ends, the individual must reapply, be interviewed, and be determined eligible to receive Food Stamps again.

The longest allowable certification period is 12 months. At initial application, the month of application is the first month of the certification period even if eligibility is determined in a subsequent month.

For recertification, the certification period begins with the month following the last month of the previous certification period.

Assign the longest certification period possible based on the predictability of the household’s circumstances.

If the case involves multiple programs of assistance, redetermination/recertification periods for all programs are aligned to coincide with the most frequent redetermination required by policy. See Family Assistance Manual PART 161, REDETERMINATION/RECERTIFICATION, and Adult Assistance Manual PART 155, REDETERMINATION, for additional information on redeterminations/recertifications involving other programs of assistance.

Exceptions:

• Assign an extra month of certification to households eligible for a certification period of 1 to 3 months but not certified until after the 15th day of the application month.

• If the household contains an individual required to prove alien status, and the ten-day period to provide proof ends after the 30th day from the date of application, assign a certification period which ends in the month the ten-day period ends.

References: He-W 746.02, RSA 161:4-a,IV, 7 CFR 273.10(f), 7 USC 2012(f)