Food Support Refresher

Minnesota Department of Human Services

Topics

Verifications ABAWDs Categorical Eligibility (Set 1 & 2) Domestic Violence Brochure Program

Verifications

Verification is the process and evidence used to establish accuracy or completeness of information from an applicant, recipient or a third party

Verification Objectives

Describe verification sources Define inconsistent information Identify mandatory verifications for all

programs and Food Support Explain verifications for expedited Food

Support Discuss Shelter and Utility verification

requirements

Verification Sources

Written Documents or Records

Collateral Contacts Home Visits

Mandatory Verifications for all Programs

Income Self-employment expenses used as a

deduction Inconsistent information Immigration status ONLY if the applicant

reports non-citizen status

Mandatory Verifications for Food Support

Liquid assets Social Security numbers of all persons

applying for FS Identity of the applicant (and the authorized

representative if applying for the applicant) Immigration status for non-citizens Residency in the project area

Mandatory Verifications forFood Support (continued)

Disability exemption from work registration Shelter cost other than Utilities Actual expenses when actual are allowed as

a deduction Utilities expenses for an unoccupied home

in order to allow the expenses as a deduction

Mandatory Verifications for Food Support (continued)

Some medical expenses in order to allow for deductions

Date and reason of employment termination and date last paid

The amount of court ordered child support paid to another household in order to allow for deduction

The number of hours of employment or work program activities for non-exempt ABAWDs subject to the 3 months in 36 months limit on eligibility

Mandatory Verification Activity

To verify or not to verify?

Inconsistent Information

The information is necessary to determine eligibility or benefit amount

The information is inconsistent with other information the agency has (or with a client’s own statements)

The client cannot satisfactorily explain the inconsistency

VerificationsExpedited Food Support

Verify the identity of the person completing the application

Require the applicant to register for work unless exempt or an AREP for the unit

Make reasonable efforts to obtain mandatory verifications within the expedited service time frame

Special Type of Verifications Verifying Social Security Numbers

(CM 0010.18.03.03) Verifying Disability/Incapacity

(CM 0010.18.06) Verifying Self-Employment Expenses

(CM 0010.18.09) Verifying citizenship

(CM 0010.18.11)

Shelter ExpensesCM 0018.15

UtilitiesCM 0018.15.09

Actual Utilities (CM 0018.15.12)

Standard Utilities (CM 0018.15.18)

Any Questions?

ABAWDS

Determining who is an ABAWD

Earning additional months

Second 3 month period

ABAWD Policy

1996 federal law limits Food SupportEligibility to 3 months in a 36 month periodfor adults who are: Not responsible for the care of minor children Between the ages of 18 and 50 Not disabled Not meeting monthly work requirements or other

exemptionCM 0011.24

Uncounting Months

Uncounting Months

Earning Additional Months

ABAWDS may “earn” additional months ofeligibility by participating 80 hours per month in:

Paid employment Workforce Investment Act (WIA) services Trade Adjustment Act (TAA) services FSET activities

Or less than 80 hours if: Participating in Work Experience

Work Experience Example

Single client receives $155 per month inmonthly Food Support. Applicableminimum wage is $6.15 per hour.

155 / 6.15 = 25.20

Client must participate in WorkExperience at least 25 hours per monthTo remain FS eligible.

Second 3 Month Period

An ABAWD can qualify for an additional 3month period of eligibility when:

Initial 3 month entitlement has been used, and Subsequent employment of at least 80 hours in a

month is verified, and Job has been terminated or hours reduced to under

20 hours per week, and Did not voluntarily quit job without good cause

Any Questions?

Set 1 - receipt of :Child Care AssistanceDiversionary Work ProgramGA, MSA, or SSI

Set 2 – receipt of:Domestic Violence Brochure

(DHS-3477)CM 0013.06

CM 0022.12.01

Categorical Eligibility

Child Care Assistance Diversionary Work Program GA, MSA, or SSI

Set 1 Categorical Eligibility

Set 1 Categorical Eligibility

Set 1 units are exempt from: Asset Test Gross Income Test Net Income Test Residency Requirements

Units in which at least 1 member of the unit isreceiving, eligible to receive, or authorized toreceive benefits from:

Transition Year Child Care Basic Sliding Fee Child Care

CM 0013.06

Set 1 Categorical EligibilityChild Care Assistance

Set 1 Categorical Eligibility Diversionary Work Program

A unit in which at least one member is participating in DWP

CM 0013.06

Set 1 Categorical Eligibility GA, MSA, or SSI

Units composed entirely of people who receive GA, MSA, or SSI in Minnesota, or

Have been approved for GA, MSA or SSI, but have not yet received payment, or

GA, MSA, or SSI payments have been suspended or are being recouped

Set 2 Categorical Eligibility

Domestic Violence Brochure Program

CM 0013.06

Set 2 Categorical Eligibility

A household has received the Domestic Violence Brochure (DVB)

AND The unit’s income is within current FS

program gross income limitsAND The unit’s assets, not including vehicles,

total less than $7,000

Set 2 Categorical Eligibility

Once Categorical Eligibility is met, units are exempt from:• Net Income Test• Residency Requirements

Vehicles - Food Support

Definition - anything that a person travels in or on, or uses to transport something

No verification needed for Food Support Not counted as an asset under Categorical

Eligibility

CM 0002.71

Set 2 Categorical EligibilityWhen to FIAT

DVB received, Gross Income Test is passed,

and either or both of these conditions are met:

Resource test is failed and total resources excluding vehicles are less than $7000

Prospective/Retrospective Net Income test is failed

TE02.05.100

Units Not Categorically Eligible

Any unit with a member disqualified due to Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

Any unit with a member disqualified due to drug related felony conviction

CM 0013.06

TE02.05.48

TE02.05.100

Summary

Verifications ABAWDs Domestic Violence Brochure Program