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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 197 15.5.2 Decrease in Benefits Changes resulting in a decrease in benefits must be verified in accordance with Section 5.13.1, Changes Reported by the Household. If the household’s benefit level decreases or the household becomes ineligible because of a change during the certification period:  ESA must issue a Notice of Adverse Action, as outlined in Section 16.6, Notice of Adverse Action.  Ineligibility or decrease in benefits is effective the month following the expiration of the Notice of Adverse Action unless a fair hearing and continuation of benefits are requested or an exception to providing advanced notice applies.  ESA must review the action to determine if the household has an overpayment. − If the household reported the change timely and ESA took appropriate action timely, there is no overpayment. − If the household reported the change untimely or ESA was delayed in taking action and the household received benefits to which they were not entitled, ESA will establish a claim against the household in accordance with Chapter 23, Claims Against the Household. Legal Authority Simplified reporting acting on changes (federal): SNAP: 7 CFR § 273.12(a)(5)(vi) and §(c) 15.6 Unclear Information Unclear information is information that is not verified or information that is verified but ESA needs additional information to act on the change. During the certification period, ESA may receive unclear information about changes in the household’s circumstances. Because of unclear information, ESA may be unable to determine the effect of the change on the household’s benefit amount or continued eligibility. ESA may receive this unclear information from a third party, the household or certain data matches and must pursue clarification and verification (if applicable) of the household circumstances if:  The information is less than 60 days old relative to the current month of participation and, if accurate, would have been required to be reported by the household under simplified reporting (see Section 15.2, What Households Are Required to Report).  The information appears to present significantly conflicting information from that used by ESA at the time of certification. The following procedure must be followed to clarify and verify the household’s circumstances:  ESA must determine appropriate verification procedures in accordance with Section 5.13, Verification of Changes During Certification.  If verification can be requested, ESA must issue a written Request for Contact (RFC) that clearly advises the household of the verification it must provide or the actions it must take to clarify its Return