Division of Family Support
Operation Manual
Transmittal Letter No. 444
August 1, 2013
Subject:Address and Shelter Changes in SNAP Cases
Volume II
MS 2060, Nonhousehold Members, is revised to state household size and composition must be verified at every application, reapplication, reported change in composition, and whenever the client’s statement is questionable. It is further revised for formatting.
MS 2070, Non-Household Members as a Separate Household, is revised to state that the relationship of “T” members should be explored and documented in comments.
MS 5210, Excluded Income, is revised to state that any document used to verify a loan must consist of the basic elements of a loan contract. The loan document must consist of an offer and acceptance that is made, full and complete terms, and a consideration.
MS 5220, Countable Income, is revised to state that any document used to verify a loan must consist of the basic elements of a loan contract. The loan document must consist of an offer and acceptance that is made, full and complete terms, and a consideration.
MS 5500, Treatment of Utility Expenses, is revised change food benefits to SNAP. It is further revised to state that when a household states no out-of-pocket utility expenses, inquire the HEAP Master Listing. It is further revised for formatting.
MS 6020, Caseworker Responsibilities, is revised to add that workers should access all available programs for all adult household members reporting no income. It is further revised for formatting.
MS 6740, Worker Requirements for Acting On All Other Changes, is revised to add specific examples of eligibility elements to examine to determine if the reported change has an effect on any other eligibility elements. It is further revised for formatting.
MS 6750, Acting on Changes Which Increase Benefits, is revised to add another example of changes requiring mandatory verification. It is further revised for clarity and formatting.
MS 6765, Acting on Change of Address, is revised to state that when a household reports a change of address, household size and composition must be verified and the household’s shelter expenses must be re-evaluated to determine allowable ongoing shelter deductions. It is further revised for formatting.
MS 7000, Required Verification at Application, is revised to add that inquiries on all system verification sources (i.e. Program 39- BENDEX, Program 48- WAGE RECORDS, Program 4B- UI BENEFITS, SDX, The Work Number, and KASES if children are or have been in the home) must be completed for all adult household members claiming no income. It is further revised to state that no income for each adult household member and household size and composition must be verified at every application and reapplication. It is also revised to state that if the household does not have verification of shelter expense with them during the application interview, pend the case and allow the household to return it. It is also further revised to state that client statement is not used as a verification source if the household can provide original verification or collateral contact to verify the household situation. If the client and worker have exhausted all avenues of obtaining verification, client statement is accepted as a last resort. It is additionally revised for clarity and formatting.
MS 7020, Verification of Questionable Information, is revised to reflect that household size and composition must be verified at every application, reapplication, and reported changein composition and/or address. It is also revised to state that any document used to verify a loan must consist of the basic elements of a loan contract. The loan document must consist of an offer and acceptance that is made, full and complete terms, and a consideration. It is further revised for clarity and formatting.
MS 7030, Required Verification at Recertification, is revised to state that no income must be verified for all adult household members. It is further revised for formatting.