Page 443

SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 11000 11700 Mass Changes 11730 Administrative Hearing Rights at Mass Changes

11700 Mass Changes

Mass changes are based on legislative or regulatory actions that affect all or a substantial portion of the statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) caseload. Households are not responsible for reporting changes that will be handled as a mass change. Examples of mass changes include: • Changes in the income eligibility standards • Changes in the earned income deduction, standard deduction, dependent care deduction, or shelter deduction • Yearly changes in the SNAP benefit amount on the New Basis of Issuance (NBI) • Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Administration (SSA) payments; and • Changes in the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) rate of payment. Cost of living adjustments will be effective in the month of the increase unless the case cannot be automatically adjusted. Cases that cannot be automatically adjusted will be processed manually. Manually processed cost of living adjustments must be reflected in the SNAP case no later than the second issuance of benefits one (1) month after the change was effective.

11710 Notices at Mass Change SNAP MANUAL 01/01/2021 Notices will be mailed to all affected households. Depending on the nature of the change, the notices may either be general or specific. General notices will explain the nature of the change, how the change may affect the household’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, who the household may contact if there are questions, and how the household may request an administrative hearing. Specific notices contain the same information; however, the household’s old and new SNAP benefit amount will be stated.