Revised 6-1-10
1. If at the time of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) review the household remains eligible for TANF and food benefits, the worker completes an application for food benefits. The SNAP tab in Family Assistance/Client Services (FACS) is updated by the worker to show a new food benefit application. Then the new certification is processed with a "c" change.
2. The Simplified Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SSNAP) food benefits are closed by the computer when the TANF cash assistance is closed for the reasons listed in (1) through (4) of this Instructions to Staff (ITS). The worker closes the food benefits for the reason listed in (5) of this ITS, or if the payee is disqualified for food benefits due to an intentional program violation (IPV). The reason codes from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) Appendix U, Reasons for Negative Case Actions, are:
(1) death (01);
(2) TANF extension – failed or refused to meet TANF work requirement (29B);
(3) moved out-of-state (42);
(4) failed or refused to meet TANF Work requirements (52A or 52B); or
(5) client requests closure of TANF and food benefits (46A, 46B, or 46C).
3. When the client requests closure of the TANF benefits, the worker must ask if he or she wants to receive the food benefits. If the client wants to continue receiving the food benefits, the worker must update the SNAP Tab in FACS. "T" is entered in the Action Type block and the effective date of the TANF closure is entered in the Effective Date block. The computer automatically updates the case for transitional food benefits (TFB).
4. (a) The food benefits are converted by the computer to TFB when the TANF cash assistance is closed for reasons other than those listed in ITS 1 of this Section. The computer updates the TFB certification period to five months for the next effective date and updates the Action Type block with T to indicate TFB.
(b) Countable income other than TANF cash assistance received prior to the month of closure continues to be considered in the TFB calculation for the duration of the TFB period. Any new income the client reports which causes the TANF cash assistance to be closed is automatically omitted by the computer to determine the TFB allotment. Examples of this calculation are when a client receiving TANF cash assistance:
(1) has no income and requests closure of the TANF benefit.
(A) The TFB allotment is based on zero income as the TANF benefit is removed effective the date the TANF benefit is closed.
(B) The worker updates FACS Case Notes to document the reason for the closure;
(2) has earned or unearned income considered against the TANF benefits and reports an increase in the income that makes the client ineligible for TANF.
(A) The computer removes the TANF benefit and only the income considered prior to the closure of the TANF benefit is used to determine the TFB.
(B) The worker updates the increased income amount in FACS for the TANF benefit closure and Case Notes to document the reason for closure.
(C) The increased income is not considered in determining TFB;
(3) obtains employment and reports earnings in excess of the TANF benefit and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefit income guidelines.
(A) The worker updates the income in FACS, closes the TANF benefit, and updates FACS Case Notes to document the reason for closure.
(B) The TANF benefit is automatically omitted by the computer and the TFB is based on zero income. The new income is not used in the calculation of the TFB; or
(4) reports obtaining unearned income in excess of the TANF and FSP food benefit income guidelines.
(A) The worker updates the income in FACS, closes the TANF benefit, and updates FACS Case Notes to document the reason for closure.
(B) The TANF benefit is automatically omitted by the computer and the TFB is based on zero income.
(C) The new income is not used in the calculation of the TFB.
5. The worker enters "C" in the action taken field in the SNAP tab of FACS. The C code allows the computer to determine the length of the SNAP certification period.
(1) The certification length is changed to 12 months if the food benefits are in the first through tenth month of certification.
(2) If the certification is in the 11th or 12th month, the certification length is changed to 14 months to ensure the client receives the Expiration of Food Benefits Notice.
6. During the five month TFB period, the TFB changes only when the client requests closure of the TFB and reapplies for food benefits or a household member leaves the home and applies for food benefits in another household.
(1) The worker explains the option to remain on TFB or to reapply for food benefits to the client.
(2) The worker encourages the client to remain on TFB if it results in higher benefits.
(3) FACS and FACS Case Notes are updated and TFB is not affected when the client reports:
(A) a new household member.
(i) The worker documents the information regarding the new household member in FACS Case Notes.
(ii) The new household member is not added to the food benefits until the TFB period has ended;
(B) income exceeding 130% of the poverty level as shown on OKDHS Appendix C-3, Maximum Food Benefit Allotments and Standards for Income and Deductions; or
(C) a household member has left the home and has not applied for food benefits in another household.
7. (a) See OKDHS Appendix B-2, Deadlines for Case Actions.
(b) See OAC 340:65-5-1 for notification requirements.