575.2 Guidelines for Assigning Certification Periods

The CAO must assign the longest certification period possible, using the guidelines below.

NOTE: The CAO must not base the certification period on the household's enrollment in SAR. For SAR policy relating to certification periods, see Chapter 571.11.

575.21 Households Assigned a Thirty-Six Month Certification Period

The CAO may assign a 36 month certification period to the household if:

All members are elderly or disabled and
Have countable unearned income only

NOTE: These budgets are signified by budget and program status code of FS 75

NOTE: If these households have zero income because they are part of the Elderly/Disabled Simplified Application Process(ESAP) they should receive a 36 month certification period.

575.22 Households Assigned a Twenty-Four Month Certification Period

The CAO may assign 24-month certification period to the household if:

All adult members are elderly or disabled with countable income. For the definition of elderly/disabled, see Chapter 510.21 Definitions of Elderly and Disabled individuals.

NOTE: If all adults in the household are elderly or disabled, they may receive the 24-month certification period even if they have earned income; however, they must be assigned a 6-month certification period if they have zero income as indicated below.

575.23 Households Assigned a Twelve-Month Certification Period

The CAO may assign a 12-month certification period if the household has:

Earned income, or
Unearned income.
All adult members are not elderly or disabled

If the household no longer receives earned or unearned income, the certification period does not change.

The CAO may also assign a 12-month certification period to a Pennsylvanians with Employment and/or Engagement Requirements (PEER) household that is not subject to time limits if the household lives in a geographically waived area. See Chapter 575.25.

NOTE: Households whose income ends in the initial month and zero income is being counted for ongoing benefits are considered a zero-income household as indicated in Section 575.24 and should receive the appropriate certification period of 6-months or less depending on PEER status.

7 CFR § 273.10(f)

575.24 Households Assigned a Certification Period of Six Months

The CAO must assign a six-month certification period to the household if it is:

A migrant or seasonal farm worker household;
A zero-income household unless an ESAP (FS75) household; or
Has only earned or unearned income that is exempt.

NOTE: The CAO must consider a household whose only income is from cash assistance as a household with exempt unearned income.

NOTE: Households which contain one or more PEER, must be assigned the certification period as indicated in Section 575.25.

7 CFR § 273.10(f)(3)(ii)

575.25 Households Assigned a Certification Period of Less than Six-Months

7 CFR § 273.11(a)

If the PEER is not currently meeting the work requirement and is not exempt by law, the CAO must base the length of the certification period on the number of months the PEER is allowed to receive SNAP benefits. See Chapter 536.3.

Updated April 10, 2026, replacing April 18, 2025