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Department of Transitional AssistanceFood Stamp Program Outreach Unit

May 2008

Food Stamp Benefits Food Stamp Benefits 101101A Training for Child & Family A Training for Child & Family AdvocatesAdvocates

Fourth Annual DTA/DEEC Fourth Annual DTA/DEEC Conference:Conference:““Food Stamps: There When You Food Stamps: There When You Need Them”Need Them”

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Today’s Topics

Barriers to ParticipationBarriers to Participation Combined Application ProcessCombined Application Process Roles During the FS Application Roles During the FS Application

ProcessProcess Steps in the FS ApplicationSteps in the FS Application VerificationsVerifications Maximizing FS BenefitsMaximizing FS Benefits FS ConnectionsFS Connections How to Stay on FSHow to Stay on FS Wrap UpWrap Up

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GeneralBarriers to

Participation

Complicated Complicated ApplicationApplication

Burdensome Burdensome ProcessProcess

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Specific Barriers for

Families

Welfare StigmaWelfare Stigma Transportation Transportation

IssuesIssues Lack of Child CareLack of Child Care Work Hours Work Hours

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Special Rules for Special Rules for Families with ChildrenFamilies with Children

Higher Gross Income Test(200% of the Federal Poverty Level)

Application Held for Up to Six Months if Over Net Income Test(100% of the Federal Poverty Level)

Household Assets Are Not Counted

Dependent Care Costs can be deducted for higher FS benefits

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Applicants for Both Applicants for Both Cash Assistance & FSCash Assistance & FS

DTA provides two types of cash DTA provides two types of cash assistance benefits: assistance benefits:

TAFDC is a benefit for families TAFDC is a benefit for families with children.with children. EAEDC is a benefit for disabled EAEDC is a benefit for disabled individuals. individuals. FS benefits will be offered as part of FS benefits will be offered as part of the cash assistance application the cash assistance application process.process.

Cash assistance applicants must Cash assistance applicants must apply in person at the local DTA apply in person at the local DTA office. Waiver of the face-to- office. Waiver of the face-to- face interview for cash assistance face interview for cash assistance applicants is limited.applicants is limited.

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Applicants for Both Applicants for Both Cash Assistance & FSCash Assistance & FS

Cash assistance and FS eligibility Cash assistance and FS eligibility must be determined together as a must be determined together as a single application.single application. one interview is conductedone interview is conducted common proofs (common proofs (income, SSN, income, SSN,

noncitizen statusnoncitizen status) accepted) acceptedNote:Note: If eligibility rules differ, unique If eligibility rules differ, unique proofs will be requested by program.proofs will be requested by program.

Cash assistance and FS benefits will Cash assistance and FS benefits will

be approved together if eligibility be approved together if eligibility requirements are met for each requirements are met for each program. Approval letter provides program. Approval letter provides information about benefit level and information about benefit level and length of eligibility for each program.length of eligibility for each program.

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Cash and FS will be denied if applicant fails to Cash and FS will be denied if applicant fails to

complete the application process or is ineligible complete the application process or is ineligible for a financial /nonfinancial reason.for a financial /nonfinancial reason.

FS may be approved on Day 30 if all FS FS may be approved on Day 30 if all FS requirements are met. requirements are met. Cash assistance applicants can request an Cash assistance applicants can request an extension to comply with cash program rules.extension to comply with cash program rules.

Cash assistance and FS benefits will be accessed Cash assistance and FS benefits will be accessed using a single Bay State Access Card. This card is using a single Bay State Access Card. This card is similar to a bank card (savings & checking similar to a bank card (savings & checking account) and provides access to benefits from account) and provides access to benefits from each program.each program.

Penalties for violating program rules may differ.Penalties for violating program rules may differ.

Applicants for Both Applicants for Both Cash Assistance & FSCash Assistance & FS

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Roles During theRoles During the FS Application Process FS Application Process

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Role of Advocate

Market the Food Stamp ProgramMarket the Food Stamp Program Clarify the FS application processClarify the FS application process Help the applicant complete the Help the applicant complete the

application and related formsapplication and related forms Help the applicant gather proofs Help the applicant gather proofs

with focus on maximizing benefitswith focus on maximizing benefits Explain how to access Food Explain how to access Food

Stamp benefitsStamp benefits

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Role of DTA Case Worker

Explain the Food Stamp Explain the Food Stamp Program and the application Program and the application processprocess

Screen for expedited issuanceScreen for expedited issuance Screen for waiver of the face-Screen for waiver of the face-

to-face interviewto-face interview Schedule the application Schedule the application

interview interview (phone or in person)(phone or in person)

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Request necessary proofsRequest necessary proofs Assist in gathering proofs, if Assist in gathering proofs, if

necessarynecessary Apply nonfinancial and Apply nonfinancial and

financial eligibility rulesfinancial eligibility rules Approve/Deny the applicationApprove/Deny the application

Role of DTA Case Worker

Continued

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Role of ApplicantRole of Applicant

Submit FS application to DTASubmit FS application to DTA Complete an application interview Complete an application interview

(phone or in-person) by Day 14 (phone or in-person) by Day 14 Provide required proofs by Day 30Provide required proofs by Day 30 Request assistance in gathering Request assistance in gathering

proofs if problems arise before Day proofs if problems arise before Day 3030

Notify DTA caseworker if a hardship Notify DTA caseworker if a hardship is preventing submission of proofsis preventing submission of proofs

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Steps in the Steps in the FS Application ProcessFS Application Process

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Submit application Mandatory Interview (Phone or

In Person) Verifications submitted to

determine FS eligibility and benefit level

Application must be approved or denied by Day 30

Application Interview DeterminationVerifications

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Application Time Frames

The date the Food Stamp application is received in a DTA office:

Sets the start date for Food Stamp benefits; and

Starts the clock for DTA action on the application.

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Application Start Application Start DatesDates

Walk In Application Date applicant

comes into the DTA Office

Mail In Application Date signed

application is date stamped in the DTA Office

Fax or Web Applications

Date is determined by day and time the application is transmitted to the DTA Office as indicated on the fax or BEACON date stamp for a Web application. Received on or

before 5:00 PM on a business day, the start date is that day

Received after 5:00 PM or on a non-business day, the start date is the next business day

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Contact DatesContact Dates((Mail-In, Fax or WebMail-In, Fax or Web))

If there is a phone number, the DTA worker will attempt to call applicant on Day 1.

If there is no phone number or DTA worker is unable to contact by phone, an appointment letter will be sent on Day 2 scheduling an interview.

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First ContactFirst Contact(Mail-In, Fax or Web)(Mail-In, Fax or Web)

If there is a phone number on the application and DTA worker is able to make contact: DTA worker will screen for Expedited

FS and waiver of the face-to-face interview.

If the face-to-face interview can be waived, the interview can be completed at time of call if applicant is available or it will be scheduled for a later date.

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Other ContactsOther Contacts

The Application Info Notice is The Application Info Notice is sent within sent within five days of receipt of five days of receipt of FS application.FS application.

EBT Card with zero benefits EBT Card with zero benefits and PIN will and PIN will be requested and be requested and mailed once identity is mailed once identity is verified.verified.

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Scheduling the Scheduling the Application Application InterviewInterview

If the applicant qualifies for If the applicant qualifies for Expedited FS, the application Expedited FS, the application interview will be scheduled no later interview will be scheduled no later than Day 7.than Day 7.

If the applicant does not qualify for If the applicant does not qualify for Expedited FS, the application Expedited FS, the application interview will be scheduled by Day interview will be scheduled by Day 14.14.

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Expedited BenefitsExpedited Benefits((Households in Dire NeedHouseholds in Dire Need))

If during the interview it is If during the interview it is determined that an applicant:determined that an applicant:

meets all financial and nonfinancial meets all financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements, andeligibility requirements, and

has submitted proof of identity has submitted proof of identity ((only verification needed for Expedited only verification needed for Expedited FSFS) )

Expedited FS benefits must be issued Expedited FS benefits must be issued within 7 days.within 7 days.

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DeterminationDetermination

An application must be approved An application must be approved or denied no later than Day 30.or denied no later than Day 30.

If all mandatory verifications are If all mandatory verifications are submitted and application meets submitted and application meets all financial and nonfinancial all financial and nonfinancial eligibility requirements, eligibility requirements, application will be approved.application will be approved.

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Determination Determination ContinuedContinued

If application fails either financial If application fails either financial or nonfinancial eligibility or nonfinancial eligibility requirements, the application will requirements, the application will be denied.be denied.

If applicant fails to submit the If applicant fails to submit the mandatory verifications or misses mandatory verifications or misses the scheduled interview, the the scheduled interview, the application will be denied.application will be denied.

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Verifications

Certain information must be verified to determine Food Stamp Program eligibility and benefit level.

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Mandatory Verifications

Proofs that must be provided for eligibility (if applicable):

Identity (applicant only) Residency Gross Earned Income Unearned Income Noncitizen Status Note: Cash applicants are subject to

an asset test.

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Proofs that may be provided to get higher benefits:

Shelter Costs Utility Expenses Dependent Care Expenses Medical Expenses Child Support Payments

Optional VerificationsOptional Verifications

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No new application required.No new application required. DTA will reinstate case effective the DTA will reinstate case effective the

original start dateoriginal start date of application if: of application if:

Applicant was interviewed and Applicant was interviewed and submitted some mandatory submitted some mandatory verifications on or before Day 30; verifications on or before Day 30; oror

The Department requested The Department requested verifications after Day 20; verifications after Day 20; oror

Mandatory Verifications Mandatory Verifications Submitted Day 31-60Submitted Day 31-60

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Mandatory Verifications Mandatory Verifications Submitted Day 31-60Submitted Day 31-60

Applicant requested assistance in obtaining verifications or indicated difficulty obtaining verifications; or

Applicant notified the DTA worker of a hardship that prevented the submission of verifications by Day 30.

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No new application required.No new application required. DTA will reinstate case effective the DTA will reinstate case effective the

date thedate the verifications were receivedverifications were received if: if: All verifications were requested by Day 20; All verifications were requested by Day 20; andand Applicant did not submit any verifications by Day Applicant did not submit any verifications by Day

30; 30; andand Applicant did not request assistance in obtaining Applicant did not request assistance in obtaining

verifications or indicate any difficulty obtaining verifications or indicate any difficulty obtaining verifications; verifications; andand

Applicant did not report a hardship in submitting Applicant did not report a hardship in submitting verifications.verifications.

Mandatory Verifications Mandatory Verifications Submitted Day 31-60Submitted Day 31-60

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Optional VerificationsOptional VerificationsNotNot Submitted by Day Submitted by Day

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An application which meets all An application which meets all financial and nonfinancial financial and nonfinancial requirements will be approved on requirements will be approved on Day 30 if all mandatory verifications Day 30 if all mandatory verifications have been received. Unverified have been received. Unverified optional optional expenses will not be used expenses will not be used in calculating the FS benefit amount in calculating the FS benefit amount for the initial month.for the initial month.

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If applicant provides missing If applicant provides missing optional verifications after optional verifications after Day 30, optional expenses Day 30, optional expenses will be used to calculate thewill be used to calculate the next month’s FS benefit next month’s FS benefit issuance.issuance.

Optional VerificationsOptional VerificationsSubmitted Submitted afterafter Day Day 3030

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Maximizing FS BenefitMaximizing FS Benefit Amounts for Families Amounts for Families

The Dependent Care Deduction is an underutilized The Dependent Care Deduction is an underutilized FS deduction. Recent changes make it easier to FS deduction. Recent changes make it easier to claim and verify Dependent Care Expenses.claim and verify Dependent Care Expenses.

The applicant must now provide a written The applicant must now provide a written statement only of monthly child care expenses for statement only of monthly child care expenses for each child in day care or an after school program.each child in day care or an after school program.

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Maximizing FS BenefitMaximizing FS Benefit Amounts for Families Amounts for Families

Deductible Dependent Deductible Dependent Care Care Expense amounts Expense amounts are capped are capped based on the based on the age of the child.age of the child. $200 is the maximum monthly $200 is the maximum monthly

deduction allowed for a child deduction allowed for a child under age 2.under age 2.

$175 is the maximum monthly $175 is the maximum monthly deduction allowed for a child deduction allowed for a child

age 2 orage 2 or older. older.

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Farm Bill UpdateFarm Bill Update Federal legislation reauthorizes the Federal legislation reauthorizes the

Food Stamp Program and other Food Stamp Program and other nutrition titles such as WIC and nutrition titles such as WIC and school meals.school meals.

Proposed language in the final bill Proposed language in the final bill would eliminate the cap on would eliminate the cap on dependent care expenses. FS dependent care expenses. FS households would be able to deduct households would be able to deduct actual monthly child care costs for actual monthly child care costs for each child. each child. Stay tuned …Stay tuned …

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Important Important FS FS ConnectionConnectionss FS and TAFDC households with a child(ren) age FS and TAFDC households with a child(ren) age

4-18 are automatically enrolled in school meals 4-18 are automatically enrolled in school meals programs. These households are also sent programs. These households are also sent information on school breakfast and summer information on school breakfast and summer meals programs.meals programs.

FS households with a pregnant woman or a FS households with a pregnant woman or a child(ren) under age 5 are shared with DPH/WIC.child(ren) under age 5 are shared with DPH/WIC.

FS households will be sent information about FS households will be sent information about DEEC child care.DEEC child care.

FS households may be income eligible for fuel FS households may be income eligible for fuel assistance benefits and will be sent LIHEAP and assistance benefits and will be sent LIHEAP and utility discount information. Some FS utility discount information. Some FS households will be automatically enrolled in the households will be automatically enrolled in the HEAT & EAT Program. HEAT & EAT Program.

FS households may be eligible for the Earned FS households may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit and will be sent EITC Income Tax Credit and will be sent EITC information.information.

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How to Stay on FS How to Stay on FS BenefitsBenefits

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FS Recertification FS Recertification ProcessProcess

Approval letter tells client the Approval letter tells client the length of certification periodlength of certification period

Length of the certification period Length of the certification period varies based on household varies based on household situationsituation

Important:Important: TAFDC/FS households are TAFDC/FS households are certified for onecertified for oneyear and FS eligibility will be reviewed as year and FS eligibility will be reviewed as part of the cash assistance redetermination. part of the cash assistance redetermination.

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FS Recertification ProcessFS Recertification Process

Forty five days before the end of Forty five days before the end of the certification period, clients the certification period, clients receive a notice stating that the receive a notice stating that the FS case will close unless they FS case will close unless they reapply or return the enclosed reapply or return the enclosed form. form. Notices have two dates:Notices have two dates:

Date FS benefits will end andDate FS benefits will end and Date recertification Date recertification

form/verifications must form/verifications must

be returned to ensure continuation be returned to ensure continuation of benefits without interruptionof benefits without interruption

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FS Certification FS Certification Period ExpiredPeriod Expired

Recipient will Recipient will not be required not be required to to complete a new application if:complete a new application if: The recertification form was submitted The recertification form was submitted

before the closing date and mandatory before the closing date and mandatory verifications are submitted no later than 30 verifications are submitted no later than 30 days after the closing date; days after the closing date; oror

The recipient contacts the DTA worker about The recipient contacts the DTA worker about recertification on or before the certification recertification on or before the certification closing date and the recertification process closing date and the recertification process is completed within 30 days of the closing.is completed within 30 days of the closing.

Note:Note: “Contact” means the recipient “Contact” means the recipient attempts to recertify before the closing attempts to recertify before the closing date, e.g., contacts the DTA worker to date, e.g., contacts the DTA worker to schedule an appointment or returns a schedule an appointment or returns a completed recertification form.completed recertification form.

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FS CertificationFS CertificationPeriod Expired Period Expired

ContinuedContinued

Recipient Recipient will be requiredwill be required to to complete a new application if:complete a new application if:

The recertification form was not The recertification form was not submitted on or before the closing submitted on or before the closing date; date; oror

No contact was made with the DTA No contact was made with the DTA worker on or before the worker on or before the certification closing date.certification closing date.

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Local DTA OfficeLocal DTA Office 1-866-950-FOOD1-866-950-FOOD www.mass.gov/dtawww.mass.gov/dta www.gettingfoodstamps.owww.gettingfoodstamps.orgrg

Finding Food StampProgram Information

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DTA FS DTA FS Outreach UnitOutreach UnitLauren Arms Ledwith Lauren Arms Ledwith FS Outreach Manager FS Outreach Manager

617-348-5452617-348-5452lauren.arms@state.ma.uslauren.arms@state.ma.us

Karen DriscollKaren DriscollFS Outreach Specialist FS Outreach Specialist

617-348-5257617-348-5257karen.driscoll@state.ma.uskaren.driscoll@state.ma.us

Janice McKittrickJanice McKittrickFS Outreach Specialist FS Outreach Specialist

617-348-5833617-348-5833janice.mckittrick@state.ma.usjanice.mckittrick@state.ma.us