03/27/19
Summary
- As a result of a policy clarification from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), this manual release adds temporary absence policy to the manual for SNAP customers.
- Illinois residency continues for a SNAP customer who is temporarily absent from Illinois as long as they intend to return to Illinois when the reason for their absence has been completed. There is not a specific time-frame that an individual may be temporarily gone. Accept the customer's statement that they intend to return to Illinois. Verification is not required, unless questionable.
- A SNAP customer who establishes a permanent residency in another State does not qualify for SNAP in Illinois. Accept the customer's statement that they are no longer a resident of Illinois.
- This policy does not apply to Migrant Farmworkers who travel from place to place looking for or doing seasonal farm work.
Temporarily Out-of-State
- As a result of a policy clarification from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), this manual release adds temporary absence policy to the manual for SNAP customers. Illinois residency continues for a SNAP customer who is temporarily out of State as long as they intend to return when the reason for their absence has been completed. A SNAP customer may continue to receive their benefits from Illinois while vacationing in another State. A person may have a vacation home in another State and still maintain their Illinois residency. A SNAP customer who is temporarily in another State due to the illness of a person may also continue to receive their benefits from Illinois.
- There is not a specific time-frame that an individual may be temporarily gone. Accept the customer's statement that they intend to return to Illinois. Verification is not required, unless questionable.
Establishing Permanent Residency In Another State
- A SNAP customer who establishes permanent residency in another State does not qualify for SNAP in Illinois. A Change Reporting SNAP household is required to report changes within 10 calendar days of the date that they become aware of the change. If a SNAP customer reports that they have become a resident of another State accept their statement. Verification is not required. Cancel SNAP and send Form 360c to the new address with the reason, "You are no longer a resident of Illinois" (Usted ya no vive en Illinois) (PM 03-02-03). If it becomes questionable that a person has established permanent residency in another State, the HSC may follow-up with a 267 VCL and verify residency (WAG 03-02-02).
- Mid-Point Reporting SNAP households are not required to report address changes, except on the Mid-Point Report (Form 2890) and on the SNAP and TANF Redetermination Application and Medical Renewal (Form 1893). The HSC should address questionable information at the 6th month Mid-Point Report or at the next REDE, whichever is earlier.
Example 1: Ms. B receives SNAP and is a Change Reporter. She must report changes within 10 calendar days of the date she becomes aware of the change. Ms. B is planning to spend the winter months in a warmer climate and should let the FCRC know her whereabouts. Ms. B contacts the FCRC in October to report that she will be spending November, December, January, and February in Florida. She intends to return to her home in Illinois in March. Ms. B remains eligible to receive SNAP in Illinois during the winter months while she is vacationing in Florida. Ms. B should notify the FCRC when she has returned to Illinois in March.
Example 2: Ms. K receives SNAP and is in Mid-Point Reporting. Ms. K's 75 year old mother lives in Georgia and was hospitalized in November due to a fall. Ms. K goes to Georgia in November and will be staying for several months to care for her mother. In March, the FCRC learns that Ms. K's Link card has been used in Georgia for several months. As a Mid-Point Reporter, Ms. K is not required to report this information. As long as Ms. K intends to return to her home in Illinois she may continue to receive SNAP in Illinois. If residency is questionable, the HSC will address it at the next Mid-Point Report or REDE, whichever is earlier.
Example 3: Mr. J receives SNAP and is in Change Reporting. He contacts the FCRC in May to report that he will be vacationing in South Carolina June through August. Mr. J continues to receive SNAP without interruption. At the end of July, Mr. J reports that he no longer intends to return to Illinois. The HSC cancels Mr. J's SNAP benefits per his request as he is no longer an Illinois resident and mails the notice of adverse action to his address in South Carolina.
Example 4: The SNAP household includes D and her mother. In July, D moves to Carbondale to attend school at SIU starting August. D's mother reports this information to the HSC. The HSC removes D from the SNAP and mails Form 360c, Notice of Decision informing the household that D has been removed from SNAP and the new benefit amount. D may be added back to SNAP, if she returns home for the summer and all other eligibility requirements are met, including special student eligibility requirements (PM 03-04-03-b).
Example 5: TJ is living in the SNAP household with his parents. In January, TJ moves to Ohio to attend school at Ohio State University. TJ's mother reports this information to the HSC. The HSC removes TJ from the SNAP household and sends Form 360c, Notice of Decision indicating that TJ has been removed from SNAP and the new benefit amount. TJ may be added back to SNAP, if he returns home for the summer and all other eligibility requirements are met, including special student eligibility requirements.
Note: Temporary Absence does not apply to college students who are attending school and live outside of the home. A student who meets special student eligibility requirements (PM 03-04-03-b) may qualify to be added to the SNAP household when they return home for the summer break.
Form 143
Questionnaire for Out-of-State Recipients (Form 143) is not applicable to SNAP (PM 03-02-01).
Manual Revisions
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms Referenced:
Form 143
