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63-1250 FORM MODIFICATION POLICY 63-1250

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Overview

The Food Stamp Program Management Branch (FSPMB) goal for the food stamp forms program is to increase program effectiveness, efficiency and equity. One of the means to achieve this goal is to provide statewide guidelines for form usage by designating all forms as: 1) Required - No Substitutes, 2} Required - Substitutes Permitted, or 3) Recommended, in accordance with the FSPMB criteria for designating forms (see Appendix 1).

The FSPMB form modification policy provides the flexibility to meet individual county needs, while ensuring that the program’s goals are met. Where county modification of a state form is required to meet or enhance program goals and the related justification has not been

specifically provided for in this policy, the county should submit the request for FSPMB consideration.

The review of any county modification request is separated into two levels: 1) the overall justification for not using the state form, and 2) adherence to specific standards for any variations from the state form. The evaluation criteria for each level of review are determined by the designation of the state form being modified and the form’s preparation and interface (manual or computer}. For each designated form, specific modification criteria is provided (Appendix 3) indicating where variations will not. be considered for each of the form’s components; i.e., placement, language and data elements.

.2. Required Form — No Substitutes

A Overall justification for not using the state form. Acceptabie justification includes: - Form is computer-generated (EDP only). - County has state hearing intake at the local level (EDP and Manual}. County has different contact point than is specified on the state form (EDP and Manual). - County has high frequency payment system (EDP only}. All other justifications are unacceptable.

.B Variation Standards

Variations in placement and data elements, where allowable, wil! be evaluated against the following standards after the overall justification is accepted.

All variations in placement and data elements must:

- Be clear,

CALIFORNIA-DSS-MANUAL-SS Issue 2260 issued 10/14/81

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