Deputy Commissioner Effective Date

November 1, 2001

Deputy Commissioner Effective Date

POLICY TRANSMITTAL NO.: UP-03-05

SUBJECT: Expiration of Food Stamp Waivers for Welfare Reform

Background

On January 1, 1996, the Department of Social Services received waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, to allow us to change the Food Stamp rules for households receiving TFA benefits.

These Food Stamp waivers expired September 30, 2001. However, FNS approved our request for a one-month extension of the waivers to coincide with our system modifications to support the change in treatment of earned income. We made the following changes effective November 1, 2001.

Description of the Changes

Under the waivers, a TFA-related Food Stamp AU is one that contains at least one (1) member of the FS AU who also receives TFA benefits (Time-limited or Exempt). When the waiver expired, the concept of a TFA-related assistance unit was removed.

The face value of unredeemed bonds that have an individual or combined value of less than $1,000 were excluded. They are now counted.

IRA, Keough, 401K, Pension, and Annuity Plans were excluded unless redeemed. These funds are now counted, under certain situations.

The asset limit was $3,000. It is now $2,000 for most Food Stamp households and $3,000 for Food Stamp households containing at least one member 60 years of age or older, or disabled.

Interest income was treated as an asset. It is now considered income.

Earned income was totally excluded up to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Households with earnings will now receive the standard 20% earned income disregard.

One motor vehicle per household was totally excluded. Motor vehicles are now treated in accordance with the revised motor vehicle policy issued on December 12, 2002 (Transmittal no. UP-02-18).

Instructions for Updating the U.P.M.

Remove and Recycle Insert

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DISPOSITION: This Policy Transmittal may be retained for reference.

DISTRIBUTION: UPM list

RESPONSIBLE UNIT: GA/Refugee/FS Team - Telephone 424-5383.

WT Date Issued:

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