WAG 23-03-00: Figuring Overpayments (Cash, SNAP)

PM 23-03-00

When the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) learns of a change in circumstances that was required to be reported, review the case for possible overpayment. When information is needed to figure the overpayment is not available from the ECR:

1. FCRC: Completes and sends, Verification Checklist (IL444-0267) to the customer requesting the information.
2. FCRC: Uses one of the following forms to obtain information from other sources:
   • Request for Employment Verification (IL444-0266). Send to employer.
   • Verification of School Attendance (IL444-0541). Send to a school.
   • Verification of Living With (IL444-2540). Issue to customer along with an IL444-0267.
   • Bank Inquiry (IL444-0046). Send to bank.
3. FCRC: Completes SNAP Fraud Investigation Referral (IL444-5173) to request the SNAP Fraud Unit to help get the information when it has not been obtained within 30 days from discovery and/or the FCRC feels a full investigation is needed.  
   • Include on IL444-5173:
     • the case ID information,
     • a summary of the situation and what you did to try to get verifications, and
     • the name of FCRC worker to contact and phone number.

 3. FCRC: Distributes IL444-5173:

 4. FRC/LOA: Sends IL444-5173 to SNAP Fraud Unit via email at DHS.SNAPFraud@illinois.gov to complete.

 5. SNAP Fraud Unit: Contacts the FRC/LOA to ask for any additional information needed.

 6. SNAP Fraud Unit: Completes Investigation Report Form (IL444-5170) for information that cannot be obtained.

 7. SNAP Fraud Unit: Sends IL444-5170 to Bureau of Collections

8.  BOC: Completes IL444-5174, describing the action taken, within 45 days after receiving it.

Overpayment Identified after Case Canceled

When an overpayment is identified after a case is canceled and has not been referred to the SNAP Fraud Unit:

1. FCRC: Refers the case to Bureau of Collections to complete an overpayment.
2. SNAP Fraud Unit: Investigates the overpayment case.
3. BOC: Notifies the former client of the overpayment using Form IL444-2404 or Form IL444-2404C, Change of Overpayment Information, and IL444-2404X.
   1. Distributes IL444-2404X:
      • original to former customer,
      • copy to BOC, Field Recovery Unit, and
      • copy to Family Community Resource Center for the case record.
   2. Distributes IL444-2404 or Change of Overpayment Information - Part I: Case Identification Complete for all Referrals (IL444-2404C):

Overpayment Identified by SNAP Fraud Unit 

When an overpayment is identified by SNAP Fraud Unit that is not a result of a full field investigation:

1. SNAP Fraud Unit: Sends IL444-5180 to Bureau of Collections by uploading it to the ECR as Overpayment Other. An email is sent to the SFU liaison at the FRCR if action is needed on an active case.
2. BOC: Completes Form 5174, describing the action taken, within 45 days after receiving it.

Fraud Hotline Referrals

1. DHS Help Line: Sends fraud referrals to the SNAP Fraud Unit via DHS.SNAPFraud@illinois.gov.
2. SNAP Fraud Unit: Contacts the FCRC if additional information is needed and responds back to the FCRC when the investigation is completed by uploading the investigation packet to the ECR and sending an Alert to the SNAP Fraud Unit liaison at the FCRC.

Note: A response to the IDHS Help Line is not needed.

Central C Code Project

• Cases receiving SNAP with C codes in certain FCRCs are centrally referred to BOC if no earnings were budgeted for the earnings quarter. See WAG 19-06-05, for actions on cases referred to BOC.
• When a Central C Code Project overpayment claim should be changed to a Suspected Intentional Program Violation: