The Cash Assistance/SNAP Semiannual Reporting System (CFSAR) controls the benefit issuance to SAR households. CFSAR issues the SAR form to each SAR household according to the case-issuance cycle. The CAO must enter information into CFSAR to show whether the SAR form is complete or incomplete. Updating of the system is called tracking.
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)
If the SAR form is not completed and tracked by the last tracking day (see Chapter 571, Appendix C), CFSAR will suspend benefits and send a SAR Late/Incomplete Notice (L/IN) to the household
The L/IN shows what information is needed and informs the household that the L/IN must be returned no later than the extended due date.
The CAO must process a reinstate-case action to issue a benefit after a case is suspended and beyond the last day for system override.
The CAO must review and close a suspended case if it is not reinstated.
The CAO must terminate benefits if the household fails to comply with SAR requirements during the suspension month.
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)(iii)(D)
The CAO must notify households of the SAR reporting requirement, including the consequences of failure to file a SAR form, at application and renewal.
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)(ii)
Before enrolling the household in SAR, the CAO must take the following actions:
Explain verbally and in writing how SAR works
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)(ii)(D)
Give the household a copy of the SAR form and explain how to complete and return the form.
Give the household information about SNAP income limits, Client Message (CM 430)(see Chapter 577, Appendix B).
Explain that only the following changes must be reported during the SAR period, by the 10th of the month after the month of change (see Chapter 570):
Work hours of an able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) fall below an average of 20 hours a week
Reported changes that affect the cash budget also affect the SNAP budget
Income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline (FPIG) limits
NOTE: Any other changes are not required to be reported until SAR review.
Explain what information the household must verify and how they can verify it.
Give the household a toll-free telephone number it may call to ask questions or to get help completing the form. This may be a local number that accepts collect calls or an 800 number.
Give special assistance to a household asking for help completing and returning the SAR form when the household's adult members have mental or physical disabilities, are non-English speaking, or lack reading or writing skills.
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)(ii)(D)
The CAO must enroll a household by the next payment date whose deadline can be met after an application is processed or when a household meets SAR requirements.
The system enrolls a household in SAR by using one of the following codes:
1—Meets SAR requirements
6—Exempt; meets no SAR requirements
The CAO must determine the enrollment period based on the household's circumstances.
A household is required to report semiannually unless it meets an exception for SAR enrollment. See Section 571.11.
When a household reports a change that requires SAR enrollment, the CAO must enroll the household in SAR at the time the household reports the change. The CAO must let the household know about the new SAR reporting requirements.
When a household reports a change that requires removal from SAR, the CAO must remove the household from SAR at the next deadline that can be met.. The CAO must advise the household of the new non-SAR reporting requirements.
Reissued March 1, 2012, replacing September 30, 2008