When a household receiving both cash assistance and SNAP benefits reports a change in circumstances during the SAR or certification period, the CAO must determine the effect of the change on both programs. The CAO will make changes to the SNAP benefit when changes are reported for cash assistance.
7 CFR § 273.12(f)(1)
The CAO will notify the household of changes in:
7 CFR § 273.12(f)(3)
SNAP benefits
Work registration requirements
The SAR period
The certification period
When cash assistance and SNAP benefits are reduced or terminated within the SAR or certification period, the CAO will send one Advance Notice of Adverse Action to notify the household of actions on both programs.
7 CFR § 273.12(f)(3)(i)(A) & 7 CFR § 273.12(f)(3)
If the household does not appeal within the period shown on the Advance Notice of Adverse Action, the benefit is decreased. (See Chapter 568.)
If the household appeals within the period shown on the Advance Notice of Adverse Action, the CAO must continue benefits in the current amount unless the household waives the right to continued benefits.
When cash assistance is reduced or terminated and SNAP benefits are increased, the CAO will send an Advance Notice of Adverse Action to notify the household of the change in the cash assistance only.
7 CFR § 273.12(f)(4)(ii)
The CAO will increase the SNAP benefit after the household decides whether it will appeal the change. If the time frame to appeal expires and the household has not asked for a fair hearing, increase the benefit.
NOTE: The CAO has 10 days to act on the change after the time period to appeal expires.
Reminder: The CAO must determine whether the household is eligible for Extended SNAP if cash assistance ends.
If the household appeals a cash assistance reduction or termination on time and the benefit remains unchanged, the SNAP benefit must continue at the level it was at before the proposed cash assistance adverse action.
The CAO will not close a SNAP case because cash assistance is terminated. Eligibility for SNAP benefits is determined based on information available . If there is not enough information to determine SNAP eligibility or benefit level, the CAO will send a written request for clarification (contact letter) to the household at the same time the Confirming Notice or Advance Notice of Adverse Action is sent for cash assistance. The CAO must allow at least ten days for the household to respond to the written request for clarification before taking further action.
7 CFR § 273.12(c)(3) & 7 CFR § 273.12(f)(5)
If the household does not request a fair hearing after an Advance Notice of Adverse Action for cash assistance is sent and does not respond to the written request for clarification, the CAO will take action after the time period expires for appeal and written request for clarification.
If the household requests a fair hearing after an Advance Notice of Adverse Action for cash assistance is sent, but does not respond to the written request for clarification, the CAO will continue the cash assistance and SNAP benefits at the same amount. After the appeal is settled or the household clarifies SNAP information, the CAO will adjust SNAP benefits and send an appropriate notice. If the household has not complied with the written request for clarification, the CAO must send an Advance Notice of Adverse Action to close the SNAP case.
7 CFR § 273.12(f)(5)(i)
If the household requests a fair hearing and cash assistance is continued pending the appeal, the household's SNAP benefits are continued at the same amount..
Reissued March 1, 2012 , replacing May 3, 2007