SR 97-30 Dated 08/97

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR revises food stamp work registration exemptions for individuals caring for a child under age 6. Food stamp job search policy has also been changed to allow third trimester pregnancy as an exemption from participation. Family Assistance Manual (FAM) Part 809 incorporates these changes.

The required number of job contacts in food stamp job search has been revised as described in the text below and in FAM 819. A new section heading 819.01, Support Services for Food Stamp Job Search, has been added to Part 819. This heading was added to enable readers to locate support services for food stamp job search with ease. The section heading has also been added to the Table of Contents to Chapter 800.

Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) are now exempt from special food stamp work participation requirements if they are "job attached," i.e., reasonably expected to return to a former employer within 60 days. ABAWD exemption criteria have also been revised for individuals caring for a child under age 6. FAM Part 245 now reflects these changes.

Voluntary quit policy has been revised and now specifies that disqualified individuals whose disqualification period ends must be reinstated for food stamps effective with the first allotment following the end of the disqualification period. FAM Section 315.11 has been revised accordingly.

This SR also revises Form 219, Food Stamp Job Search Program, to reflect current policy and procedures regarding food stamp job search. Form 219(i) has been revised accordingly.

POLICY

Work Registration Exemptions

An individual responsible for caring for a child under age 6 is exempt from work registration if the individual is the child's parent, foster parent, step parent, adoptive parent, guardian, or adult with legal custody. If there is no parent residing in the household, a member of the household exercising parental control is exempt from food stamp work registration. Previous exemption policy was less specific and only referenced the age of the child.

Revised Food Stamp Job Search Exemption Criteria

Food stamp job search exemption criteria have been expanded to allow an exemption for third trimester pregnancy. Prior policy did not address pregnancy as an exemption. Accept any documentation which reasonably establishes the individual’s third trimester pregnancy status such as a currently dated and signed statement from a licensed physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical practitioner.

Required Number of Employer Contacts in Food Stamp Job Search.

Job search is administered by NH Employment Security or any other authorized employment and training agency. Two job search policy related changes have been made for nonexempt individuals.

 While participating in General Educational Development (GED) training or a job search workshop, an individual must have 3 employer contacts during the week of participation. Previously, there were no special provisions for these individuals.

 Other nonexempt individuals are required to contact at least 6 employers each 1 week period. Previously, 6 employer contacts were required in a 2 week period.

Revised Exemption Criteria for Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) are required to meet special work participation requirements in order to receive food stamps unless they are exempt from these requirements. ABAWD exemption criteria have been changed as noted below.

 A job attached individual is exempt from ABAWD work participation requirements. To be job attached, the individual must be reasonably expected to return to a former employer within 60 days. This exemption did not exist previously. Acceptable documentation includes a signed and currently dated written statement from the employer or District Office verbal contact with the employer which establishes that the individual is expected to return to work within 60 days.

 An individual responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 18 is exempt from ABAWD work participation requirements if the individual is the child's parent, foster parent, step parent, adoptive parent, guardian, or adult with legal custody. If there is no parent residing in the household, a member of the household exercising parental control is exempt. In a two parent family with dependent children, both parents are exempt. Previously, another adult exercising parental control could be granted an exemption even when the parent resided in the home.

 ABAWD exemption criteria have also been revised to address situations in which a dependent child under age 18 is temporarily absent from the home and intends to return. When the child is temporarily absent and intends to return, the individual responsible for the child’s care retains the exemption provided they meet the criteria specified in the bulleted text directly above. A statement from the child’s parent or individual exercising parental control is sufficient to document the child’s intent to return to the home unless there is conflicting evidence.

Reinstatement of Food Stamp Benefits for Individuals Who Have Voluntarily Quit Employment

Food stamp policy has been revised to specify how to reinstate individuals who have voluntarily quit their jobs within 60 days prior to application. When an otherwise eligible individual has been disqualified at application due to voluntarily quitting employment within 60 days prior to application, and the disqualification period has ended, the individual must be included as a household member effective with the first allotment issued following the end of the disqualification period. This procedure reflects existing food stamp policy and applies to other food stamp disqualifications such as failure to meet work registration requirements. The text in FAM Section 827.01 has been revised and made more specific so that it coincides with FAM Section 315.11.

REVISED FORM 219

Form 219, Food Stamp Job Search Program, has been revised as noted below.

 The section addressing transportation expenses has been revised and expanded. This section now indicates that food stamp job search participants can be reimbursed $.21 per mile for transportation or other necessary costs directly related to job search, up to $25 per month.

 A new section has been added to this form to describe ABAWD work participation requirements.

 References to DHS (Division of Human Services) have been replaced with DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services), and references to child day care have been changed to child care.

 Text has been revised to indicate that JOBS has been replaced with the New Hampshire Program (NHEP).

 A list of New Hampshire Employment Security Offices and telephone numbers has been added to Form 219.

Form 219(i) has been reformatted and revised to reflect changes in terminology.

Current Supplies of Form 219 may be used until revised versions are available from print. It is anticipated that revised copies will be available from print in late August. They can be ordered in accordance with existing procedures. When revised copies are received, old copies must be recycled or destroyed.

IMPLEMENTATION

For new cases, the policy changes apply to all eligibility determinations made on or after August 25, 1997.

Implementation for ongoing cases differs based on the actual policy change.

 Effective August 25, 1997, individuals who have been disqualified for failure to meet work registration or voluntary quit requirements must be included as a household member effective the month following the month the disqualification period ends. For example, if an individual’s disqualification ends on August 26, 1997, that individual must be included as a household member for September benefits, provided all eligibility requirements are met.

 For job search related changes (e.g., required number of employer contacts), the revised policy must be applied at the next meeting with the New Hampshire Employment Security (NHES) food stamp interviewer.

 All other policies must be applied at the next household recertification.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

No client notification is planned. District Offices may notify clients on an as needed basis.

TRAINING

No training is planned.

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS

Remove and Destroy  Insert

Forms Manual

Form 219,*  Form 219,

SR 94-34/July 1994 or SR 97-30/August 1997,

SR 92-40/October 1992, 1 sheet

1 sheet

* There were 2 versions of Form 219, which were printed when SR 94-30 was released. One version dated October 1992 incorrectly referenced SR 92-40. SR 92-40 was the previous SR number that released Form 219. The correct version was dated July 1994 and references SR 94-34. Either version should be replaced with the version released by SR 97-30/August 1997.

POSTING INSTRUCTIONS (continued)

DISPOSITION

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

DISTRIBUTION

This SR only is being distributed according to the narrative SR distribution list for the Family Assistance Manual (FAM). The manual pages are being distributed to all holders of the FAM and Forms Manuals.

KW/DTA/SJC:s

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

I hereby certify that all copies of Form 219, SR 94-34/July 1994, or SR 92-40/October 1992, 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.