PM 02-08-01-a.
If the SNAP unit meets the definition of "out-of-funds," follow the special income calculation procedures below to determine eligibility and the benefit amount for the month in which the application is filed.
A migrant or seasonal farm worker is "out of funds" if:
- The only income for the month of application was received prior to the date of application and was from a terminated source. This includes:
- Income normally received on a monthly or more frequent basis which will not be received again from the same source during the balance or the month of application or the following month.
- Income normally received less often than monthly if it will not be received in the month in which the next payment would be received.
- The only income to be received in the month of application is from a new source and is:
- More than $25; and
- The income will not be received by the 10th calendar day after the date of application.
- The household may have received both income from a terminated source prior to the date of application and income from a new source after the date of application and be considered "out of funds" if:
- They received no other income in the month of application; and
- Income from the new source is no more than $25 and will not be received by the 10th day after the application date.
A migrant SNAP unit that meets the definition of "out of funds" is eligible for expedited service if their liquid assets are $100 or less.
Note: Do not count a wage advance for travel costs to get to a new job when you decide if a migrant is "out of funds."
Calculating Income for "Out of Funds" Households
If the SNAP unit meets the definition of "out of funds," follow the special income calculation procedures below to determine eligibility and the benefit amount for only the month in which the application is filed.
- Consider only income which has been received from the first day of the month through the date the application is filed.
- Disregard income from a new source that is expected to be received after the day of application.
- At the SNAP REDE, disregard income from a new source in the first month of the new SNAP approval period if it is more than $25 and will not be received by the 11th day of the month. See PM 02-08-01-a.
Travel Advances
Some employers provide travel advances to cover the travel costs of new employees who must travel to the location of their new job. Receipt of travel advances does not affect the determination of whether a migrant is considered "out-of-funds" or whether subsequent payments from the employer are from a new source. However, if the travel advance is actually an advance on wages that is subtracted from wages earned later, count the wage advance as income when computing the SNAP unit's eligibility and benefit amount for the fiscal month in which the advance was received.
Example: If a migrant applies on the 10th day of the May fiscal month, has received a $50 wage advance for travel from its new employer on the 6th day, but will not start receiving any other wages from the employer until the 28th day of the fiscal month, consider them "out-of-funds." Disregard the payment to be received on the 28th, but count the wage advance received prior to the date of application as income.
