161.01 Timely Notice SR 13-31, 11/13 (FSM-A)

Inform each individual of the need for a redetermination/recertification to review eligibility for benefits to be continued.

Based on the household circumstances, notify individuals that they are required to participate in a regularly scheduled:

• face-to-face redetermination/recertification; or

• online or mail-in redetermination/recertification.

See PART 161, REDETERMINATION/RECERTIFICATION, for more information.

Face-to-Face Redetermination/Recertification

The New HEIGHTS-generated CS0001, Rede Interview, is sent to individuals who are required to participate in a face-to-face redetermination/recertification and is generated by the 15th of the month prior to the month the redetermination/recertification is due.

CS0001 advises the individual:

• of the date and time of the eligibility interview;

• that the individual must call to reschedule the interview if unable to attend the appointment and the individual wishes to continue receiving benefits; and

• the effect that the individual’s failure to attend may have on the recipient’s benefits.

The CS0001 face-to-face package sent to the individual includes:

• DFA Form 775, Rental Verification Request; and

• DFA Form 756, Employment Verification Request.

Exception: To provide a timely recertification of benefits for households certified for 1 or 2 months, complete paper DFA Form 807, Interview Appointment Notice, and give or send to the applicant at the time of certification.

For a face-to-face redetermination/recertification, the individual must:

• complete DFA Form 800, Application for Assistance, or Form 800HR, New HEIGHTS-generated Application for Assistance; and

• participate in a face-to-face interview.

Online or Mail-In Redetermination/Recertification

Financial and/or medical assistance cases with related Food Stamps that meet criteria in the Adult Assistance Manual PART 155, REDETERMINATION, or the Family Assistance Manual PART 161, REDETERMINATIONS/RECERTIFICATIONS, may participate in an online or mail-in redetermination/recertification process.

Mail-In Redetermination/Recertification

The mail-in recertification package is sent to eligible cases by the 15th of the month prior to the month the redetermination/recertification is due and includes:

• New HEIGHTS-generated CS0005, Mail-In Rede Letter;

• DFA Form 800R, Application for Continued Eligibility for Financial, Medical, Child Care, and Food Stamp Benefits;

• DFA Form 811R, Application: Your Rights and Responsibilities; and

• a postage paid business reply envelope.

To prevent delays in the benefit issuance and the redetermination/recertification process, and termination of benefits, individuals are notified in the CS0005 that:

• the household must return the completed DFA Form 800R and all needed verifications by the *15th day of the following month;

• if the household provides DFA Form 800R and needed verifications after the *15th of the following month, it will result in a termination of benefits; and

• advises the household to contact the District Office if they have any questions.

Online Redetermination/Recertification

Recipients with NH EASY accounts who are scheduled for what would usually be considered a mail-in redetermination/recertification are eligible to complete their redetermination/recertification online.

If the NH EASY account holder’s redetermination method is "online," the online recertification package is generated by the 15th of the month prior to the month the redetermination is due and includes:

• New HEIGHTS-generated CS0027, Online Rede Letter; and

• a postage-paid business reply Central Scanning Unit (CSU) envelope for the recipient to provide their verifications.

To prevent delays in the benefit issuance and the redetermination/recertification process, individuals are notified in the CS0027 that:

• the household must complete the online Redetermination Application and send in all needed verifications by the *15th day of the following month;

• if the household does not complete the online redetermination/recertification process and/or provide all needed verifications by the due date, it will result in a termination of benefits;

• the household may opt out of the online redetermination/recertification process and return to a mail-in redetermination/recertification process; and

• the household should contact the District Office if they have any questions.

Households eligible to participate in the online or mail-in redetermination/recertification process are not required to participate in a face-to-face interview. However, an interview must be granted if one is requested by the household or by the authorized representative.

References: He-W 766.01-.02, RSA 161:4-a,IV, 7 CFR 273.2, 7 CFR 273.14