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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 199 15.7 Mass Changes The District or federal government may take actions that affect all or a significant portion of the households receiving SNAP benefits. Special rules are applied when a change produces the following results:  Simultaneously affects the entire caseload  Affects a significant portion of the caseload  Involves conducting individual desk reviews in place of a mass change Mass change to the caseload is defined as changes that affect the eligibility requirements, amount of benefits, deductions, standards, etc., that result in an increase or decrease of SNAP benefits for the entire caseload or a significant portion of the caseload. Mass changes include the following:  Income and asset eligibility standards  Certain deductions  Maximum SNAP allotments (the Thrifty Food Plan)  Utility standards (annual and seasonal adjustments)  Periodic Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) to Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI), SSI, veterans’ benefits and other federal benefits  Periodic adjustments in payment levels in TANF and General Assistance programs such as Interim Disability Assistance (IDA) and General Assistance for Children (GC)  Legislative or regulatory changes to the SNAP eligibility or benefit criteria 15.7.1 Federal SNAP Mass Changes The federal government regularly makes adjustments to:  SNAP allotments: − Maximum allotment by household size − Minimum allotment for households with one to two members  SNAP deductions: − Standard deduction − Shelter deduction maximum for households without a member aged 60 or older or with a disability and the standard homeless shelter deduction  Gross and net income limits and asset limits  Threshold for required reporting of changes at mid-certification These annual adjustments apply to all SNAP households and take effect prospectively at a specific time Return