A decrease in income or an increase in expenses may result in an increased benefit amount. There is no requirement to prospectively determine eligibility. Eligibility to participate is not affected. 7 CFR § 273.21(a)(2) & 7 CFR § 273.21(o)
When there is a decrease in income or an increase in expenses, the CAO must use the new income or expense amounts anticipated for the remainder of the SAR or certification period to prospectively compute the next month’s benefit amount. 7 CFR § 273.10(a)(4)
If the change results in an increase in the benefit amount, the CAO must: 7 CFR § 273.12(c)(1)
Send a Confirming Notice to tell the household about the change; and
Increase the benefit for the month after the change is reported.
If the deadline cannot be met, the CAO must authorize a supplemental benefit using reason code 157.
If a household receiving Extended SNAP benefits reports a change that increases the SNAP benefit, and the household asks for the increase, then the CAO must recertify the household and remove it from Extended SNAP.
The SNAP benefit never increases when cash assistance is reduced for recoupment due to an intentional program violation. (See Supplemental Handbook Chapter 910.) In these cases, the CAO must compute the SNAP benefit as if there were no recoupment. 7 CFR § 273.9(b)(5)(i)
Reissued March 1, 2012, replacing May 3, 2007