149 MASS CHANGES SR 05-07, 12/05 (FSM-A) |
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;
. other eligibility criteria based on legislation or regulations;
. utility standards;
. shelter deductions;
. dependent care deductions;
. standard deductions; or
. food stamp allotment amounts.
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 issue contested is that:
. eligibility or the amount of benefits was improperly computed; or
. a federal law or regulation was misapplied or misinterpreted.