SR 97-16 Dated 06/97

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR releases policy eliminating mail-in recertifications for certain food stamp cases. It also releases revised Form 77d, Food Stamp Program, an informational pamphlet describing the food stamp program.

BACKGROUND

In 1992, the Department obtained a federal waiver to allow mail-in recertifications for non- public assistance food stamp cases with earned income or net income equal to zero. Face-to-face recertification interviews were alternated with mail-in recertifications. At that time caseloads were at an all-time high and error rates were rising. The measure was designed to shorten the intervals between recertifications but allow case technicians longer intervals between face-to-face interviews. However, caseload numbers are much lower now and given the small number of cases affected each month, continued use of this process was not justified by the effort involved.

POLICY

Effective June 1, 1997, mail-in food stamp recertifications using EMS special review reasons 053 and 054 will end. This change affects non public assistance food stamp households with either earned income or zero net income. EMS special review reasons 053 and 054 associated with this process have been eliminated.

This change is limited to the food stamp program and does not affect other areas where mail-in recertifications are used, such as poverty level medical assistance and adult assistance programs and related food stamp cases.

Revised Form 77d, Food Stamp Program.

Form 77d is an informational brochure describing the Food Stamp program and its requirements. It has been revised to reflect new food stamp program changes mandated by PWRORA and state initiatives connected with welfare reform. New information includes the addition of a description of food stamp requirements for Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs), reference to the time-limit on receipt of food stamp benefits by legal aliens, change in required timeframes for expedited food stamps from 5 to 7 days, and the exclusion from work registration requirements of full-time students in high school or a high school equivalency program. In addition, the brochure includes an updated list of district offices and their addresses.

PROCEDURES

Mail-In Redeterminations - No special procedures are required of the District Offices. Effective June 1, 1997, any cases previously eligible for a mail-in recertification must now have a face-to-face interview as part of the recertification process.

Form 77d - Continue to use the old version for Form 77d until an initial distribution is received at District Offices. At that time, return the certificate of destruction attached to this SR, certifying that all old versions of Form 77d have been destroyed.

SYSTEMS CHANGES

Programming changes were made to eliminate Special Review Reasons 053 and 054 which were entered by the case technician or EMS to allow the mail-in recertifications. EMS use of 053 and 054 was stopped on May 23, 1997. At that time, the Systems Support Unit (SSU) alerted District Offices that the codes were no longer valid and that on May 30, 1997, they had been removed from the EMS data base. Effective June 1, 1997, the SSU will discontinue sending case technicians associated printed reports listing individual cases subject to this process.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

No client notification is planned.

TRAINING

No training is planned due to the procedural nature of this SR.

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

DISPOSITION

This SR may be destroyed after its contents have been noted and its posting instructions carried out.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR only will be distributed according to the narrative distribution list for the FAM and Forms Manual. This SR and pages will be distributed to all holders of the FAM and FORMS Manual.

OES/MGD:s

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

I hereby certify that all copies of Form 77d, SR 95-4 dated January 1995, have been destroyed.

Office Manager:      District Office:      

NOTE: Return this certificate to Stock Control at State Office after the instructions in this SR have been carried out.