(a) Cases with unverified deductible expenses.

• (1) Food benefits without deductions.  If a deductible expense that must be verified per OAC 340:50-7-31 cannot be verified before the 30-day processing standard for applications expires, the worker determines the household's benefit level without giving a deduction for the claimed but unverified expense.  If the household:
  • (A) is eligible without allowing the expense, an allotment that does not reflect deduction of the expense is provided within 30 calendar days after the application is filed; or
  • (B) chooses to claim expenses for an unoccupied home, the worker verifies the household's utility expenses for the unoccupied home and uses the appropriate utility standard.
• (2) Benefits delayed.  If a deductible expense cannot be verified before the 30-day processing standard for applications expires and the household is ineligible unless the expense is allowed, the household application is held pending or denied.

(b) Determining household eligibility.  In calculating net monthly income, cents are used in determining each source of each person's monthly income and the household's monthly dependent care, shelter, legally binding child support payments, or medical expense.  When the monthly amount of each person's source of income or each of the household's expenses is established, and at all other steps of the net income computation, cents are rounded to the nearest dollar, 1 cent through 49 cents is rounded down and 50 cents through 99 cents is rounded up.  • 1  Due to changes in household composition or circumstances, households certified under gross income standards may become subject to net income standards during the certification period or vice versa.  The worker is required to change one income standard to the other when any change is made to adjust the household's eligibility, benefit level, or certification period, or at recertification, whichever is earlier.

• (1) Households without elderly or disabled members.  If the household does not have an elderly or disabled member, the household's total gross monthly income and household size are the first basis for determining eligibility.  The household is not eligible if the total gross income exceeds the Maximum Gross Income Standard for the appropriate household size as shown on Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Appendix C-3, Maximum Food Benefit Allotments and Standards for Income and Deductions.  After gross income and non-financial conditions of eligibility are established, the net food benefit monthly income is computed and compared to the Maximum Net Income Standard for the appropriate household size as shown on OKDHS Appendix C-3.  If the net food benefit income does not exceed this standard, the household is determined eligible.  The steps in (A) through (H) are used to determine the household's net food benefit monthly income.
  • (A) Add gross monthly income earned by all household members including any net self-employment income minus the earned income exclusions to determine the household's total gross earned income.
  • (B) Multiply the total gross earned income by the appropriate earned income deduction according to the OKDHS Appendix C-3 and subtract that amount to determine the net monthly income.  The earned income deduction is not allowed on any portion of income earned under a work supplementation or support program that is attributable to public assistance.
  • (C) Add the net monthly earned income and the total monthly unearned income of all household members, minus income exclusions.
  • (D) Subtract the standard deduction as shown in OKDHS Appendix C-3.
  • (E) Subtract monthly dependent care expenses.  A dependent care deduction cannot be allowed for dependent care expenses which are reimbursed or paid for under an employment and training (E&T) program or other source.
  • (F) Subtract verified legally-binding child support payments made to someone outside the food benefit household.
  • (G) Add the allowable shelter expenses to determine the total shelter costs.  Subtract from the total shelter costs 50% of the adjusted income, the household's monthly income after all of the deductions given in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this paragraph have been subtracted.  The remaining amount, if any, is the excess shelter costs.  If there are no excess shelter costs, the net monthly income has been determined.  If there are excess shelter costs, proceed to the next step.
  • (H) To apply the excess shelter costs, subtract excess shelter costs from the adjusted income if the total of excess shelter costs does not exceed the maximum shown in OKDHS Appendix C-3.  If the total of the shelter costs exceeds the standard shown in OKDHS Appendix C-3, only the amount not exceeding the standard is deducted.
• (2) Households with an elderly or disabled member.  When a household that includes an elderly or disabled member meets the non-financial conditions of eligibility, the household's net food benefit, monthly income, and household size are the basis for determining eligibility.  The net food benefit monthly income is compared to the Maximum Net Income Standards for the appropriate household size as shown on OKDHS Appendix C-3.  If the net food benefit income does not exceed this standard, the household is determined eligible.  The steps listed in (A) through (I) are used to determine the household's net food benefit income if the household includes an elderly or disabled member.
  • (A) Add gross monthly income earned by all household members, including any net self-employment income minus the earned income exclusions, to determine the household's total gross earned income.
  • (B) Multiply the total gross earned income by the appropriate earned income deduction from OKDHS Appendix C-3 and subtract that amount to determine the net monthly income.  The earned income deduction is not allowed on any portion of income earned under a work supplementation or support program that is attributable to public assistance.
  • (C) Add the net monthly earned income and the total monthly unearned income of all household members, minus income exclusions.
  • (D) Subtract the standard deduction as shown in OKDHS Appendix C-3.
  • (E) Subtract medical expenses that exceed $35 for elderly or disabled household members only.  Thirty-five dollars is subtracted only once for the household rather than for each household member.
  • (F) Subtract monthly dependent care expenses.  A dependent care deduction cannot be allowed for dependent care expenses that are reimbursed or paid for under an E&T program or other source.
  • (G) Subtract verified legally-binding child support payments made to someone outside the food benefit household.
  • (H) Add the allowable shelter expenses to determine the total shelter costs.  Subtract from the total shelter costs 50% of the adjusted income, the household's monthly income after all of the deductions in (A) through (G) of this paragraph have been subtracted.  The remaining amount, if any, is the excess shelter costs.  If there are no excess shelter costs, the net monthly income has been determined.  If there are excess shelter costs, go to the next step.
  • (I) To apply the excess shelter costs, subtract excess shelter costs from the adjusted income.

(c) Food benefit allotment.

• (1) Initial month proration.
  • (A) Initial month means the first month the household is certified for food benefits following any period during which the household was not certified.  Food benefit allotments for an initial month are based upon the date of the application and prorated from the date of application.
    • (i) Proration of benefits from the application date applies to the new case if one food benefit household separates into two or more food benefit households.
    • (ii) Migrant and seasonal farm worker's food benefits are not prorated when the household has received food benefits in the prior month.  • 2
    • (iii) While a household's eligibility for the initial month is determined by considering the household's circumstances for the entire month of application, the benefit is based on the day of the month the household applies for benefits.
    • (iv) The monthly benefit that the recipient would be eligible to receive if proration did not apply must be determined prior to computation by using the prorated benefit on OKDHS Appendix B, Prorated TANF and Food Benefits:  Proration Payment Form, or by using the formula: (31 minus the application date) x monthly benefit divided by 30 = the prorated benefit.
  • (B) The prorated benefit is rounded down to the lower dollar.  If the answer is less than $10, the household is denied for the month of application but certified for the next month.  If the household applies on the 31st day of the month, use the 30th for the application date for purposes of this provision.  Households that apply after the 15th of the month are issued the prorated benefits for the month of application and the benefits for the first full future month on the same day.
  • (C) When a household is certified for the month following the month of initial application because the household failed to furnish necessary information, benefits are prorated from the date the household furnished the information.  The application date becomes the date information was furnished to OKDHS.
• (2) Monthly benefit.  The monthly benefit for all months except the initial month is the amount listed on OKDHS Appendix C-3 for the appropriate household size and net income.

(d) Delayed applications.  Applications that are not approved or denied by the 30th calendar day are considered delayed applications.  On the 30th calendar day following the application date, every delayed application is assessed to determine who caused the delay.  The purpose of this assessment is to determine if the benefits are denied and what date is used to prorate benefits if the household is determined eligible at a later date.  • 3

• (1) Delay caused by OKDHS.  When the processing delay is caused by OKDHS, the application remains in pending status.  At the end of the first 30 calendar days the household is notified of the reason the application is still pending using Form 08MP039E, Notice to Client of Action Taken.  If the household is later determined eligible, the case is certified back to the date of application.  • 4  OKDHS caused delays include, but are not limited to, the circumstances given in (A) through (F) of this paragraph.
  • (A) The household's first interview was scheduled on or before the 20th day following the date of application.  The household appeared for the interview but subsequently failed to provide the required verification.  During the interview the worker did not explain to the household or provide the information in writing regarding:
    • (i) what factors must be verified;
    • (ii) what is considered acceptable verification; or
    • (iii) by what date the information must be supplied.
  • (B) An interview was never scheduled for the household.
  • (C) The worker did not offer or provide assistance to the household in obtaining the verification as required or did offer assistance but failed to follow through on collateral contacts or release of information.
  • (D) The worker discovered that additional information was required after the interview but the client did not have ten calendar days between the request for the verification and the 30th calendar day of the application process.
  • (E) The household missed their first interview on or before the 30th calendar day and requested that the interview be rescheduled.  The human services center (HSC) was unable to schedule the second interview date until after the 30th calendar day.
  • (F) The eligible household provided all the required verification on or before the 30th day, and the application was not approved or denied.
• (2) Delay caused by the household.  When the processing delay is caused by the household, the application is denied on the 30th calendar day.  The household is notified by computer-generated notice that the application is denied.  When the household provides the required verification in the second 30 calendar days, a new application is not required.  If the household is determined eligible, the food benefit allotment is prorated from the date the household provided the verification.  Household caused delays include, but are not limited to, the circumstances given in (A) through (C) of this subparagraph.
  • (A) The household's first interview was scheduled on or before the 20th calendar day following the date of application.  The household appeared at the interview but subsequently failed to provide the required verification.  The worker provided the household with a statement of required verification, offered to assist the household in obtaining the verification, and also allowed the household sufficient time to provide the verification.
  • (B) The household missed their first interview and requested on or before the 30th calendar day that the interview be rescheduled.  The interview was rescheduled to be held on the 30th calendar day; however, the household did not provide all the required verification at the rescheduled interview.
  • (C) The household missed their first interview and requested on or before the 30th calendar day that the interview be rescheduled.  The household stated they could not come in until after the 30th calendar day.

(e) Certification periods.  Definite certification periods are established for each eligible household to receive benefits.  At the expiration of each certification period, entitlement to food benefits is established only upon a recertification based upon a newly completed application, an interview, and required verification provided.  [OAC 340:50‑3‑2]  Under no circumstances are benefits continued beyond the end of a certification period without a redetermination of eligibility.

• (1) Month of application.  The month of application is the first month in the certification period for initial applicants if eligibility is determined within the 30-day period.
  • (A) Because of anticipated changes, a household may be eligible for the application month but ineligible for the subsequent month.  In this situation, the household is certified for the application month only.
  • (B) If a household is found to be ineligible and is denied benefits for the application month but is eligible for subsequent months, a new application is not needed and the case is certified effective the month following the application month.  • 5
• (2) Missed interview.  During the application process, a household who did not appear for their first scheduled interview may request a new interview date be scheduled through the 30th day following their application date.  See delayed applications in paragraph (d) of this Section to determine the proration date of the food benefit allotment.  • 6
• (3) Information furnished after the application is denied.  When an application is denied because the household did not provide the requested information and the applicant furnishes the required information to determine eligibility within the second 30‑day period, a new application is not required.  The worker certifies food benefits using the date the information or verification is furnished as the application, certification, or proration date.

(f) Length of certification periods.  Households are assigned the longest certification period possible based on the predictability of the household's circumstances.

• (1) One month.  A one-month certification is assigned to:
  • (A) households eligible only for the application month; and
  • (B) migrant farm worker households, in the work stream, who apply before the 16th of the month.
• (2) Two months.  A two-month certification is assigned to:
  • (A) households eligible only for the certification month and subsequent month; and
  • (B) migrant farm worker households, in the work stream, who apply after the 15th of the month.
• (3) Twelve months.
  • (A) A 12-month certification period is assigned to households at certification unless:
    • (i) the household includes an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) member who is not meeting the work requirement or is not otherwise exempt; or
    • (ii) all adult household members are elderly or disabled with no earned income.
  • (B) These households are required to complete a review at six-month intervals.  They are known as semi-annual reporters.  • 7
• (4) Twenty-four months.  A 24-month certification period is assigned to households when all adult members are elderly or disabled with no earned income.  These households are required to complete a review at 12‑month intervals.  They are known as annual reporters.  • 8