October 2009
Modification of Face-to-Face Interview Regulation
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) has modified the current regulation to document hardship when conducting a telephone interview. All interviews will now take place over the telephone, for both new applications and recertifications, unless an applicant prefers to have a face-to-face interview. DTA has also eliminated the interview requirement at recertification for certain elderly and/or disabled households if
- The recertification is returned on time;
- The required verifications are submitted to the local office in the established deadline;
- The household’s continued eligibility for SNAP is confirmed.
Households that fail to provide the required verifications, or appear to be no longer eligible, will still be required to take part in an interview as part of the certification process.
April 2009
Because of the new law called American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, you will be getting more Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamp) benefits. You will get more benefits starting in April 2009. The extra benefits will be added to your EBT card automatically. You do not need to call your case manager. To find out how much is in your account, call 1-800-997-2555 to get your balance.
2008 Farm Bill Changes
Below are some of the changes to the SNAP/Food Stamp Program as of October 2008
Name Change. The name of the SNAP/Food Stamp Program has been changed to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The change will be phased in gradually. Each state has the option of using the new name or creating its own name.
Standard Deduction
The standard deduction of $134 has increased to $144 in October and will be indexed to inflation starting in FY2010.
Dependent Care Deduction- The cap on the dependent care deduction has been eliminated, allowing working families with children to deduct the entire amount of child care expenses when calculating eligibility and benefit levels. This could make a big difference since the current limit for the deduction is $175-$200 per month, per child, and many families pay significantly more than that.
Minimum Benefit- The $10 minimum benefit has increased to $16 in April 2009 and thereafter will be indexed to 8 percent of the cost of the maximum allotment for a household of one.
Retirement and Education Accounts- Most education and retirement accounts like IRAs will be excluded from consideration as assets. Although Massachusetts has already eliminated asset limits for most households, this change in the federal regulations may help those seniors whose incomes are above 200% of poverty threshold and therefore subject to asset limits.
Accrual of Benefits- Currently states can move benefits off-line after three months if they have not have been accessed and can expunge benefits that have not been accessed by the household after one year. Under the new law states must notify households if their benefits are moved off-line and make the benefits available within 48 hours upon the request of a household. Benefits will be expunged after 12 months if not accessed.
Codification of Access Rules-- States will be required to comply with USDA rules requiring bilingual personnel and material in areas in which a substantial number of low-income household members speak a language other than English.
ABWD Time Limit Rule Modified
DTA has received a waiver from the USDA that will allow more Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDS) to participate in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program. Prior to the waiver, ABAWDS were required to work or do community service. Those who were not able to comply could only receive food stamps for three months. As a result many people who had difficulty finding or retaining a job or community service placement lost their food stamp benefits after three months. Now more people will be able to continue to receive food stamps as long as they meet other eligibility requirements.
The waiver is specifically for areas of the state that have high unemployment and therefore fewer opportunities for jobs or community service. Although the waiver does not apply to the whole state, DTA has instituted a procedure for workers to exempt individuals who they deem to have a barrier to employment or community service placement so that they too can continue to receive food stamps. Those who don't appear to have a barrier to employment may still be subject to the SNAP/Food Stamps Work Program Requirement.
June 2008
Asset Test Eliminated for Most Households
For most low-income households, assets are not considered in determining SNAP eligibility. Assets are only considered when households contain a member who is over 60 or disabled and the gross income exceeds the low-income criteria. For more information about assets for people over 60 or disabled, click on “Who Uses SNAP/Food Stamps” and scroll toTable C - Asset Guidelines for Households with Members over 60 or Disabled. As of June 9, 2008, DTA no longer counts money in the bank, a car, retirement accounts, your home or other assets. For more specific information, please call the Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
DTA Opens New Satellite Offices and Outreach Centers
DTA has opened 4 new full-service satellite offices in areas affected by the office closings over the past several years. The satellite offices are located in Athol, Northampton, Somerville and Waltham, and will provide a full range of DTA services. In addition, DTA has created food stamp outreach centers in Boston, Lynn, Chelsea and Fall River. These centers are located within senior centers, health centers and other local organizations.
Certain Iraqi and Afghan Non-Citizens Eligible for Short-Term Food Stamps
Certain Afghan and Iraqi non-citizens with special immigrant status and their family members may be eligible to receive SNAP/food stamps for a period of up to six months (for Afghans) or eight months (for Iraqis). After this period, they are subject to the five-year bar on receipt of SNAP/food stamps unless they are eligible for benefits under another qualified non-citizen status. (DTA Field Operations Memo 2008-26)
Work Requirement Exemptions
DTA recently clarified some of the exemptions from work requirements in the SNAP/Food Stamp Work Program (FS/WP) and the SNAP/Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (FS/ET). A person who is responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 6 or of someone who is incapacitated is exempt from both the FS/ET and the FS/WP. The person does not have to be living in the same household as the dependent child or the incapacitated person. A person who is residing in a home where a household member is under age 18 is exempt from the FS/WP. The person does not have to be related to or responsible for the household member under 18, nor does the household member under 18 have to be receiving SNAP/food stamp benefits.
Standardized Certification Periods for Seniors and Disabled Clients
SNAP/Food Stamp households in which all adult household members are seniors (60+) or disabled will now be automatically assigned a 24-month certification period, at application or their next re-certification. While there are a few exceptions, such as self-employed households and households with unstable circumstances, this will significantly reduce the paperwork both for the DTA worker and the recipient.
Economic Stimulus Bill
Many people have asked how the federal economic stimulus payment will affect SNAP/food stamp recipients/applicants. The stimulus payment is non-countable as income and non-countable as an asset for the month in which it is received and the following two months. Thereafter, any money held as cash and/or as an asset is countable.
Interpreter Services Made More Accessible
New guidance has been distributed to DTA staff informing them of new protocols to ensure that limited English Proficiency (LEP) and American Sign Language (ASL) clients have access to qualified interpreters without unreasonable delays.
The new guidance makes it clear that under federal law DTA staff is required to advise clients of the right to professional interpreter services and must provide interpreter services to clients whose primary language is not English or who use American Sign Language. These clients must not be turned away or told to return with an interpreter.
It goes on to state that a client who is accompanied by an adult intending to act as an interpreter must be advised that a professional interpreter can be provided free of charge. The client may decline the use of a professional interpreter service and choose to have the adult serve as an interpreter. In addition, children over age 12 may interpret only to schedule an appointment. Children age 12 and under must not be asked to interpret for any purpose.
Staff at all levels (including receptionists) now have easy access to over-the-phone interpreter services, both for in-person visits and phone calls. Interpreters are also available for scheduled appointments.
Standard Medical Deduction for Elderly and/or Disabled Clients
DTA has introduced a standard medical deduction. Elderly (age 60+) or disabled clients who verify more that $35 in medical expenses per month will receive a standard deduction of $90. If their medical expenses exceed $125 per month, they receive a deduction of their full medical expenses, minus $35.
If the client is not already at the maximum food stamp benefit, this change may mean their benefits will increase. Please encourage your clients to calculate their monthly medical expenses. Remind them that medical insurance premiums, co-payments and transportation to medical visits can all be included as allowable expenses. To determine transportation costs for people using their own vehicles, use the federal guideline, which is currently 50.5 cents per mile. For a list of other deductible medical expenses, call the Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
Disabled Non-citizens Receiving EAEDC may be Eligible for SNAP/Food Stamps
Certain qualified non-citizens may be eligible for SNAP/food stamps based on disability, regardless of date of entry into the U.S. DTA has identified about 200 EAEDC recipients who are SSI certified (as disabled) but are not receiving SNAP/food stamps and sent them letters and a simplified application encouraging them to apply. Please encourage your clients who receive this mailing to follow through with the application process. If approved, they will be certified for 24 months.
Winter 2007/2008
Anyone Can Now Apply for SNAP/Food Stamps Online!
Any Massachusetts resident with access to a computer and the Internet can now apply for SNAP/food stamps online via the Virtual Gateway. The online application is for new applicants only and cannot be used for re-certification. An interview with a DTA worker is still required but can be conducted over the phone. The applicant can print out a confirmation page and a tailored verification checklist. To use this new tool, go to www.mass.gov/dta and under “Key Resources” click on “Apply Online.” |
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