Attached is an 11/14/08 memo from Art Foley of USDA instructing the mid-Atlantic region (and rest of the country) that they should accept as verification of income the paystubs of an immigrant working under the name and SSN of another individual. USDA instructs states that income verification used to verify income need not match with documents used to verify identity, and that if a household has a reasonable explanation for the discrepancy in the workers name on the earnings records, the verification and that explanation should be accepted. USDA further instructs that states should not report or disclose the fact of a name and SSN of another being used by another to anyone outside of the state agency (e.g. law enforcement or immigration). This is terrific guidance and hopefully will address those few situations where households have earnings but are reluctant to report the information.

Negative errors are errors that occur when the Department denies or closes a case incorrectly. In recent months the Department has seen a significant rise in the negative error rate. The purpose of this memo is to: remind case managers and supervisors of the policies and procedures that, when correctly followed, will ensure that no case is inappropriately denied or closed; and introduce the job aid, "SNAP Negative Errors and How to Avoid Them."

The Farm Bill of 2008 changed the name of the Food Stamp Program to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This change was effective on a federal level as of October 1, 2008. Field Operations Memo
2008-49 informed staff that a name change had taken place but that states could exercise their option to choose a state-specific name. Effective with the October issue of Transitions, the Commissioner announced that Massachusetts had adopted the national name SNAP. Choosing to remain aligned with the national program name should reduce any potential confusion that could be caused by the use of another name. In short, using the new name provides an opportunity for the program to be retooled and remarketed under the new slogan Putting Healthy Food Within Reach.

To facilitate the recertification process for food stamp clients, the Department has revised the food stamp recertification notice and will now enclose a food stamp application form for the client to complete and return.  The inclusion of the application form will make it easier for the client to recertify, reduce the number of phone calls to the TAO related to the recertification and reduce the need for the application form to be mailed out by the TAO.  It is important to note that this change does not apply to pure SSI household recertifications.

DTA has issued a revised TWO page FS application form for seniors.  This FS application is designed for 
applicants age 60 or over who live alone, live with a spouse, or live with others but who purchase and 
prepare a majority of their food separately.  Effective June 9th, there is no longer any asset test for
most FS applicants -including seniors and persons with disabilities -  so the FS application does not 
include any questions about assets and applicants do not need to provide verification of bank accounts,
retirement accounts, etc (although are still asset questions for FS household is seeking "expedited" or
fast food stamps).  The application is also available from DTA in Spanish.  

TAFDC and EAEDC AU Managers are reminded that, when denying a TAFDC or EAEDC application before the 30th day for missing two interviews, the FS application must remain pending and not be denied before the 30th day.

Food stamp regulations at 106 CMR 364.400 allow elderly and/or disabled household members to deduct medical expenses in excess of $35 per month. This includes the reasonable cost of transportation and lodging to obtain medical treatment or services. These regulations also allow a deduction for dependent care expenses incurred for transportation to and from a child care or dependent care site.

There are about 2,000 EAEDC noncitizen elders who are not getting food stamps because of the federal 5-year bar. These elders can now qualify for food stamps if a doctor verifies that the individual has a severe mental or physical impairment that will last 12 months or result in death and prevents substantial gainful activity in light of the person's age, education, and work experience. Initially, DTA will give EAEDC elders the form at application, redetermination and other times when the person is in the office. Eventually, DTA will do outreach to these clients. Even if an elder is not scheduled for any contact with the local office, they can bring in the completed form (or fax it to the worker)and ask to apply for Food Stamps.

Due to recent federal legislation, Iraqi and Afghan noncitizens who have been granted special immigrant status are eligible for certain public assistance programs, including TAFDC and Food Stamps, for a limited time period. Afghan noncitizens with special immigrant status and their family members are eligible for benefits for up to six months. Iraqi noncitizens with special immigrant status and their family members are eligible for benefits for up to eight months. Once the six- or eight-month period ends, these individuals and their families are subject to the five-year bar on receipt of public assistance unless they qualify for benefits under another qualified noncitizen status.

In order to receive benefits, these noncitizens must meet all other eligibility requirements. 

AU Managers are reminded that the federal government regularly intercepts certain federal payments made to clients and former clients - such as income tax refunds - to offset outstanding client food stamp debts.  The federal Economic Stimulus payment described in Field Operations Memo 2008-18 is also subject to intercept for these debts.  If a client calls inquiring about a reduction or loss of an Economic Stimulus payment,  refer the client to the Fraud Investigations and Recoveries Unit at 1-800-462-2607 for information regarding the intercept.