12/15/2022
Policy Memo
Summary
- The Elderly and/or Disabled Simplified Redetermination Project (EDSRP) is a demonstration project approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). EDSRP seeks to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among the elderly and/or disabled adult low-income households by streamlining the application and certification process.
- EDSRP is limited to SNAP households whose adult members are all elderly (age 60 and older) or disabled (age 18 and older) and the household does not have countable earned income (from employment or self-employment) to budget for SNAP.
- Implementation of EDSRP is effective 11/30/2022. Active SNAP households meeting the EDSRP criteria and whose current certification period is 6-months prior to the implementation date will be extended from a 12-month certification period to a 24-month certification period in an IES mass update on 12/06/2022.
- All applicants filing an initial SNAP application must have an interview. If determined eligible for SNAP and the applicant's household meets the criteria to be in EDSRP, a 24-month certification period is assigned. The completion of an interim report during the certification period does not apply to these households.
- A client notice will be mailed to active SNAP households that are eligible to participate in the project. All other SNAP households not meeting the EDSRP criteria will continue to be certified for 12-months under regular SNAP rules.
- The Integrated Eligibility System (IES) has been modified to identify EDSRP households. An EDSRP indicator displays as a Special Approval Type (TOA) and also displays on the Eligibility Summary Screen and SNAP EDG Summary Screen.
- EDSRP households are in Change Reporting status. The Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) must explain the reporting requirements at the initial interview.
- Once approved with a 24-month certification, the case remains in EDSRP status until the next REDE. A change in the EDSRP household's income or the addition of a new member (regardless of age or disability) to the household during the certification period does not affect the current 24-month certification period. The FCRC may act on a reported change that may affect the benefit amount, but the household continues to remain in the 24-month certification period until the next REDE.
- Cash, Medical and SNAP Redetermination Application (Form IL444-1893) is system generated and mailed to the EDSRP household to complete a redetermination (REDE) approximately 60 days prior to the end of their certification period.
- For EDSRP, an interview is not required at REDE, unless the household requests one, or the household no longer meets the criteria to remain in the demonstration project. The Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) may contact the household for clarification if information has been provided that is questionable or unclear. For an EDSRP SNAP household whose member(s) also receive AABD Cash, an interview is required for the Cash REDE at 12-months. Changes reported at the interview for Cash should be reviewed to determined if SNAP eligibility is affected by the change.
- The FCRC should use all available electronic verification sources to minimize the amount of customer provided verification. If the FCRC is unable to obtain all required verifications needed to determine eligibility through an electronic source, then it will be necessary for the customer to provide verifications that the FCRC could not obtain.
SNAP Elderly and/or Disabled Simplified Redetermination Project (EDSRP)
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) received approval from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to implement a demonstration project that streamlines the recertification process for elderly and/or disabled adults in an effort to increase participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The redetermination (REDE) process is simplified to reduce barriers to participation and to help these households maintain SNAP eligibility.
Who is in EDSRP?
To be included in the EDSRP project all adult members in the SNAP household must be either:
- elderly (age 60 and older); or
- disabled (age 18 and older); and
- there is no countable earned income (from employment or self-employment) to budget on the SNAP case.
Note: The SNAP household may be a combination of both adult elderly and disabled members.
Adult Members 60 Years Old and Under
- A person is considered age 60 in the month they become 60 years old.
- Example: JT, age 59, filed a SNAP application on 08/05/2022. He will turn 60 years old in September. Eligibility for qualifying member status begins in September.
- If under age 60, then all adult members in the SNAP household must be at least age 18 or older and must meet the SNAP definition of a qualifying member (PM 05-06-01). Unearned income may be from one of the following sources: Primary RSDI Retirement Benefits, Primary RSDI Disability Benefits, RSDI Benefits as a Disabled Widow/Widower or Disabled Child, Railroad Retirement Benefits, Veteran's Benefits (partial or total disability), Federal, State, or Municipal Retirement, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SNAP Household with Minor Child
The adult members in SNAP households with minor children under the age of 18 must meet the criteria to be in the EDSRP. A SNAP household that does not have elderly adult members and whose only disabled member is a minor child, does not qualify to be in EDSRP.
Example 1: Ms. B, age 30, is requesting SNAP benefits for herself and her disabled 6-year old son TJ. Ms. B states during the interview that she does not work. TJ is receiving SSI benefits monthly. If eligible for SNAP, the household is approved under regular SNAP certification rules. The household does not meet the EDSRP criteria. Although Ms. B is an adult, she is not elderly and/or disabled. TJ is disabled but he does not meet the age requirement to be considered an adult.
Example 2: Ms. K, age 70, lives with her disabled daughter, age 40 and 3 minor grandchildren. At the interview, Ms. K states she receives a monthly retirement pension and Social Security benefits. Her daughter receives Social Security disability benefits. The minor children also receive Social Security because of their mother's disability. If eligible for SNAP, both adults in the household meet the criteria for EDSRP. Ms. K is elderly. Her daughter is over age 18 and is disabled. It does not matter that there are minor children in the SNAP household. Both adults meet the EDSRP criteria.
EDSRP or Regular SNAP Household
Example 1: Mr. T, age 60 is applying for SNAP for himself and his wife, age 55. At the interview, Mr. T states that he is receiving Social Security benefits. His wife has never worked and does not have income. If eligible for SNAP, the household would be approved under regular SNAP certification rules. The household does not meet the EDSRP criteria. There are two adults in the SNAP household but only Mr. T meets the EDSRP criteria. His wife is not elderly and/or disabled. To be in EDSRP, all adults in the SNAP household must be elderly and/or disabled.
Example 2: Mr. G, age 65 lives with Ms. L, age 60. They are applying for SNAP. At the interview, Ms. L states food is bought and prepared together. Mr. G receives a monthly pension. Ms. L does not have income. If eligible for SNAP, both adults meet the age criteria to be in EDSRP.
Example 3: Mr. Z, age 65 and his wife, age 62, are applying for SNAP. At the interview, Mr. Z states he is receiving a monthly retirement pension. His wife is employed at a local childcare center. If eligible for SNAP, the household is approved under regular SNAP certification rules. The household does not meet the EDSRP criteria due to earned income.
Example 4: OB's SNAP case is in EDSRP status. OB is a 20 year old disabled male. At the time of approval OB was only receiving Social Security disability benefits. OB enrolled full-time at Wyman Community College and is now receiving earned income from federal work study. Since the earnings from work study is exempt (PM 08-04-04-b) and is not budgeted for SNAP, OB continues to meet the criteria to be in EDSRP.
Implementation
- Implementation of EDSRP is effective 11/30/2022. Active SNAP households meeting the EDSRP criteria and whose current certification period is 6-months prior to the implementation month will be extended from a 12-month certification period to a 24-month certification period in an IES mass update on 12/06/2022. An EDSRP indicator appears in the Integrated Eligibility System (IES) as a Special Approval Type (TOA) and also on the Eligibility Summary screen.
- Six versions of Notice of Your Eligibility for the Elderly/Disabled Simplified Redetermination Project (EDSRP) will be mailed to the applicable active SNAP households who qualify to be in EDSRP. The notice informs the SNAP household of their reporting requirements and of the extension to their certification period.
- CN 22.07 extends certification period from November 2023 to November 2024.
- CN 22.08 extends certification period from October 2023 to October 2024.
- CN 22.09 extends certification period from September 2023 to September 2024.
- CN 22.10 extends certification period from August 2023 to August 2024.
- CN 22.11 extends certification period from July 2023 to July 2024.
- CN 22.12 extends certification period from June 2023 to June 2024.
Initial Application
- A household applying for SNAP must have an initial interview. Regular SNAP policy and procedures are followed at initial application for all SNAP households, including those households who may qualify for EDSRP.
- If approved for SNAP and the SNAP household reports changes during the certification period that allow them to be EDSRP eligible, the regular SNAP rules continue to apply to the household until the next REDE.
- If determined eligible for SNAP and the household meets the criteria to be in EDSRP, the case is approved in Change Reporting status with a 24-month certification period. The completion of an interim report does not apply to these households. All other SNAP households not meeting the EDSRP criteria continue to be certified for 12-months. Medical certification periods will continue to be 12-months.
- The FCRC must inform EDSRP households of their reporting requirements. EDSRP households are required to report the following changes within 10 calendar days of the date the change became known to the household:
- An address and shelter expense change;
- Someone moves in or out of the household;
- Someone has a change in the source of income or starts working;
- The SNAP household's unearned income changes by more than $125;
- A change in a child support order if a deduction is allowed for support payments;
- Someone in the SNAP household receives money from Lottery or Gambling in a single winning that exceeds $4,250;
- When total cash on hand, stocks, bonds, and money in a bank or savings account exceeds a total of $4,250 for SNAP households who are not categorically eligible (PM 05-07-00);
- Someone has a change in medical expenses.
Note: There is no change to overpayment policy for EDSRP SNAP households. An unreported change that is required to be reported can potentially result in an overpayment but does not change the 24-month certification period.
Verification Requirements
All applicants applying for benefits must provide verification of certain financial and nonfinancial eligibility factors, including applicants who may qualify for EDSRP. In addition, verification must also be obtained for information which is questionable. FCRC staff must always help the applicant in any way possible to obtain missing verification. Whenever possible, electronic sources should be used to help EDSRP households with providing any needed verifications. In some instances, electronic sources may not be able to verify information such as medical expenses, and/or certain types of income and disabilities. In these instances, the EDSRP household is required to provide any verifications that the FCRC could not obtain.
Changes Reported During the Certification Period
When a change is reported by the EDSRP household, review the effect of the change on eligibility and benefit amount. A reported change in the EDSRP household's income or the addition of a new member(regardless of age or disability) to the household during the certification period does not affect the current 24-month certification period. The FCRC should act on the reported change at the time of report but should not attempt to change the certification period. The household continues to remain in the 24-month certification period until the next REDE.
Example: Ms. R, age 65, filed a SNAP application for herself and her grandson, age 17. Her grandson is employed but is still in high school full-time. He is under the parental control of his grandmother. At the time of the initial approval for SNAP, the worker determined that the grandson's earned income was exempt from budgeting for SNAP. The SNAP household was approved in EDSRP. Ms. R is the only adult member, and she is elderly. Her grandson's earned income is exempt from budgeting on the SNAP case. Eight months after initial approval, Ms. R reports that her grandson has dropped out of school. His income is now budgeted for SNAP. No change is made to the 24-month certification period. The household no longer qualifies to be in EDSRP and is removed at the next REDE.
Form Revisions
- A simplified version of Cash, Medical and SNAP Redetermination Application Notice (IL444-1893) has been created for EDSRP households. "Interview Required" is removed from the application for these households. The font size on the application will be increased in the near future for easier reading and completion.
- Notice of Change (IL444-0360c) is revised to show a 24-month certification period for EDSRP households.
Redetermination
The Integrated Eligibility System (IES) systematically generates and mails the application to the EDSRP household prior to the end of the 24-month certification period to complete and return for processing. The household should return verifications where it is indicated on the application to attach proof. Whenever possible the FCRC should use electronic sources to help these households with the verification process so that eligibility can be determined, and benefits can continue without interruption.
Interview
- For EDSRP, an interview is not required at REDE, unless the SNAP EDSRP household requests one, or the household no longer meets the criteria to remain in the demonstration project. The FCRC may contact the household for clarification if the household provides information that is questionable. It is important for workers to review the REDE application and clearances prior to beginning data collection to ensure that changes have not occurred within the household that would change EDSRP status.
- On the Individual Interviewed/Applicant - Details Screen, the worker selects the option "EDSRP - Interview not Required" in the dropdown for SNAP households who meet the EDSRP criteria. An error message will display that requires the worker to select another interview type or schedule an interview if the EDSRP Interview Not Required option is selected and the SNAP household does not meet the criteria.
EDSRP and AABD Cash
For an EDSRP SNAP household whose member(s) also receive AABD Cash, an interview is required for the Cash REDE at 12-months. A change reported at the interview for the Cash REDE should be reviewed to determine if SNAP eligibility is affected by the change. EDSRP households are not required to have an interview and eligibility for EDSRP is not affected if a member fails to comply with a scheduled interview for Cash. On the Individual Interviewed Page, If EDSRP - Interview Not Required value is selected and there is a Cash EDG on the case, the system will display a message that requires the worker to select another interview type.
"CASH program requires an interview. Please select another interview mode."
No longer Meets EDSRP Criteria at REDE
- If the special indicator "EDSRP" displays when claiming from the Non-Expedited Cold Call Queue, review the application for changes that could result in a loss of EDSRP eligibility. If changes are reported that ends EDSRP eligibility, an interview is required. If no changes are reported that affects EDSRP eligibility, enter EDSRP in the drop-down labeled N/A Reason and waive the interview.
- If eligibility is run and the SNAP household no longer meets the EDSRP criteria, the FCRC should attempt to make two cold calls to the customer to conduct an interview. If the customer cannot be reached, do not complete data collection. Send Appointment Notice (Form IL 444-267T) to schedule an appointment. If the interview is missed and no contact has been made with the household, the application is denied.
Not EDSRP at Initial Application but Qualifies At REDE
A SNAP household that did not meet the EDSRP criteria at initial application may experience a change in household circumstances that meets EDSRP at REDE. An interview is required at REDE.
Example: LB, age 62, was approved for SNAP in August 2021 in Mid-Point Reporting status due to his earned income. He also receives partial Social Security benefits. LB filed a SNAP REDE application in June 2022. He indicated on the application that he last worked May 30, 2022. At the interview, LB stated he was only working to pay off some medical expenses and does not plan to continue to work. If eligible for SNAP, LB meets the criteria to be in EDSRP due to his age and he no longer has earned income.
Tasks with Special Indicator EDSRP
When a task in the Electronic Document Management (EDM) Inbox has the EDM Inbox Special Indicator 'EDSRP', the system will route the task to the Non-expedited Cold Call Details queue. The worker indicates on the Cold Calling Details page that no first cold call attempt was made by selecting "N/A" from the "Did you make a first cold call attempt?" and indicates the reason 'EDSRP' in the "N/A Reason" field.
Scheduling
- If the 2 cold call attempts are unsuccessful, schedule the SNAP eligibility interview in the REDE calendar.
- If the interview was waived and clearances report findings that could result in a loss of EDSRP status, attempt to call the customer.
- If the 2 cold call attempt are unsuccessful, the worker should stop wherever they are in driver flow and schedule the customer for an interview.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms referenced:
CN 22.07
CN 22.08
CN 22.09
CN 22.10
CN 22.11
CN 22.12
IL444-0360c
IL444-1893
