PM 18-04-00: Changes in the SNAP Household

WAG 18-04-00

Change Reporting SNAP Households

  • A Change Reporting SNAP household is a regular roll case that meets the following criteria:
    • All adult members in the SNAP household are qualifying members and there is no earned income to budget on the case; and
    • A TANF household with SNAP and there is no earned income to budget on the case; and
    • Only when the Work Requirement Time-Limited Benefits policy is in effect, SNAP households whose county of residence is in a nonwaived area of the state. These cases are centrally converted from Mid-Point Reporting status to Change Reporting status. A system generated notice, Change in Reporting Requirements, is mailed to the appropriate SNAP households to notify them of the change in their reporting requirements. Currently the entire State is waived from implementing the SNAP Work requirement policy through October 2024.
  • Change Reporting SNAP households must report the changes below within 10 calendar days of the date they learn about the change. For income-related changes, consider the date the first payment is received (as a result of the change) as the date the client learned about the change:
    • When they get, change, or lose a job;
    • When monthly earned income changes by more than $125;
    • When the source of unearned income changes, or the amount changes by more than $125. The client does not have to report changes in any cash benefit from the Department;
    • A change in SNAP household size;
    • A change of address and new shelter costs. Provide the client with the opportunity to register to vote when a change of address is reported in person (see PM 22-12-00);
    • For non-qualifying member households who are not categorically eligible (PM 05-07-00), report when total cash on hand, stocks, bonds, and money in a bank or savings account exceeds a total of Revised manual text$3,000;
    • For qualifying member households who are not categorically eligible (PM 05-07-00), report when total cash on hand, stocks, bonds, and money in a bank or savings account exceeds a total of Revised manual text$4,500;
    • For SNAP households that receive an income exclusion for child support payments, report when the order to pay child support changes or ends. See PM 13-01-07;
    • A change that reduces the individual's work hours below 20 hours per week, averaged monthly. Currently, the entire State is exempt from the SNAP Work Requirement. See PM 03-25-00.
    • For categorically eligible households (including SNAP households receiving TANF and SSI income) and noncategorically eligible households, report substantial lottery or gambling winnings won in a single game as a cash prize more than Revised manual text$4,500. See PM 07-04-21 and PM 19-07-00.

Note: Due to Public Act 98-0114, effective 08-01-2013, assets are no longer considered for the TANF Program. Federal regulations allow for the exemption of vehicles as an asset for SNAP if vehicles are exempt under TANF. Categorically eligible and noncategorically eligible SNAP households are not required to report or provide information about vehicles.

Applicants with Pending SNAP Applications

  • Applicants are to report all changes at the eligibility interview. A change that happens after the eligibility interview and before the notice of decision must be reported within 10 calendar days after the date of the notice. When a change is reported by the customer, review the effect of the change on eligibility and benefit amount.

Mid-Point Reporting SNAP Households

During the approval period, Mid-Point Reporting SNAP households are only required to report:

  • report when their gross monthly income exceeds the Gross Monthly Income Standard for the household size; and

    Note: The change must be reported by the 10th day of the calendar month after the calendar month that income exceeded the Gross Income limit. For example, gross income exceeded the limit for 08/16 the SNAP household must report the change by 09/10/16.

  • when a SNAP household member has received lottery/gambling winnings of Revised manual text$4,500.00 or more. (See PM 07-04-21, and (PM 19-07-00); and
  • when an Abled-Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWDs) who is subject to the SNAP Work Requirement time limit must report when their work hours fall below 20 hours per week; and
  • complete the SNAP and TANF Mid-Point Report when it is received. Must answer all questions and report any changes in circumstances related to the questions asked on the form. Sign the completed form and return by the due date (PM 19-07-07).

A Mid-Point Reporting household is not required to report any other changes, including an address change. However, to be consistent with Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines, an address change should be acted upon for medical only cases when the address information is received by a source other than the customer.

For income related changes, consider the date the first payment is received (as a result of the change) as the date the customer learned about the change.

Note: When a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) household reports an income change during the approval period that does not exceed the gross income standard for SNAP, workers are to budget the income reported for the SNAP benefits.