SR 15-04 Dated 05/15

FROM OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, DFA:

Terry R. Smith

DFA SIGNATURE DATE:

April 9, 2015

AT (OFFICE):

Division of Family Assistance

TO:

District Office Supervisors

SUBJECT:

Change in the Order of the Eligibility Filter Cascade Sequence for Determining Eligibility for Food Stamp (FS) Benefits

EFFECTIVE DATE:

May 1, 2015

FORMER POLICY

NEW POLICY

Eligibility for Food Stamp (FS) benefits was previously determined in this order:

1.    First Step: The household (HH) was reviewed for categorical eligibility for FS; if all HH members received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Financial Assistance to Needy Families (FANF), Old Age Assistance (OAA), Aid to the Need Blind (ANB), or Aid to the Permanently and Totally Disabled (APTD) financial assistance benefits, the HH was considered categorically eligible for FS. No resource test was applied during this step;

2.    Second Step: If the HH was not found to be categorically eligible for FS benefits, the HH’s eligibility for regular FS benefits was reviewed. During this step, gross and net income limits and a resource test was applied, and the HH needed to provide all required verifications; and

3.    Third Step: If the HH failed eligibility for regular FS benefits due to excess income or resources, the HH’s eligibility for Expanded Categorical Eligibility was reviewed, per Food Stamp Manual (FSM) 231.01, Categorical Eligibility Criteria, and FSM 611.01, Computing Income Eligibility. Transfer of asset resource questions were asked but no resource test was applied.

Eligibility for FS benefits is now determined in this order:

1.    First Step (no change): The HH is reviewed for categorical eligibility for FS benefits. If all HH members receive SSI, FANF, OAA, ANB, or APTD financial assistance, the HH is considered categorically eligible for FS and no resource test is applied;

2.    Second Step (changed): If the HH is not determined to be categorically eligible for FS benefits, the HH’s eligibility for Expanded Categorical Eligibility is reviewed. Transfer of asset resource questions must still be asked at this step, but, per current policy, no resource test is applied, and eligibility criteria described at FSM 231.01 must still be met; and

3.    Third Step (changed): If the HH is not found to be eligible for Expanded Categorical Eligibility, the HH’s eligibility for regular FS benefits is determined. Gross and net income limits and a resource test apply.

Note: FS eligibility criteria for Expanded Categorical Eligibility remains unchanged; it is merely the order in which eligibility is reviewed that has changed.