Central Authorization

(System) Adjusts for the gap or overlap if the case is authorized benefits for both the old and new fiscal months, and if the category remains the same.

Note: For gap or overlap benefits due to a SWAP see WAG 18-02-01 for Medical to Cash or WAG 18-02-02 for Cash to Medical.

When centrally computed gap or overlap SNAP benefits occur, the Form 552 turnaround document contains one of the following messages in Item 93:

MERCURY ISSUED FOR GAP

or

OVERLAP - POSSIBLE BENEFIT ADJUSTMENTS

The Form 552 does not show the adjusted allotment amount, but the actual allotment issued appears on the Mercury payroll (gap) or regular payroll (overlap).

Family Community Resource Center Authorization

Authorize Mercury benefits if centralized gap/overlap benefits cannot be authorized. To authorize gap/overlap benefits, complete a blank Form 552 as follows:

  • Item 1 -Complete.
  • Item 2 -Enter the effective month and year of the benefits.
  • Item 3 -Enter 56.
  • Item 4 -Enter 7.
  • Items 5, 6, and 8 -Complete.
  • Item 33 -Enter TAR 17 for an Overlap, or TAR 18 for a Gap
  • Item 38 -Enter the amount of the issuance.

Manual Gap Adjustment

When the fiscal month changes from the calendar month budgeting to the fiscal month of the 16th to the 15th, a gap in benefits is created. Gap benefits supplement the monthly benefit amount. Compute the amount of gap benefits owed for the new fiscal month by dividing the benefit for the new fiscal month by 2 and then round up.

Example: A unit's May fiscal month is 05/01 through 05/31. The June fiscal month shifts to 06/16 through 07/15. The SNAP benefit amount for June is $125. The SNAP unit will receive Mercury benefits of $63 to cover the gap in benefits from 06/01 through 06/15 ($125 divided by 2 = $62.50 and round up to $63).

Manual Overlap Adjustment

When the fiscal month changes from the 16th to the 15th to the calendar month, an overlap is created. Overlap benefits are the monthly benefit amount. Compute the amount of overlap benefits owed for the new fiscal month by the dividing the benefit for the new fiscal month by 2 and then round up.

Compute and authorize an adjustment for any overlap SNAP benefits that are not adjusted centrally.

Example: A TANF case in Group 06 is SWAPped to medical. The client received SNAP  for June in Group 06 (06/16 - 07/15) and will receive SNAP for July in Group 22 (07/01 - 07/31). The full benefit amount for July is $223. Due to the overlap, July's benefits will be $112 ($223 divided by 2 = $111.50 and round up to $112).

Document your work in the case record.

If the unit was authorized a full month's amount via regular roll issuance for the new fiscal month and a full month's amount has already been processed for the new fiscal month, do not authorize the reduced amount. Start a claim for the new fiscal month (see WAG 23-04-00), because of the overpayment for the overlap period.