Page 216

ESA SNAP Policy Manual 200 designated by FNS. These adjustments are typically effective October 1 of each year. See Section 25.3, SNAP Benefit Tables, for current amounts. 15.7.1.1 Notice Requirements for Federal Government–Initiated SNAP Mass Changes When the federal government initiates changes outlined in Section 15.7.1, Federal SNAP Mass Changes, ESA is required to publicize these mass changes through the news media; posters in certification offices, issuance locations or other sites frequented by certified households; or general notices mailed to households. ESA elects to issue a Notice of Mass Change to SNAP households prior to the annual federal adjustments taking effect to publicize these mass changes (see Section 16.11, Notice of Mass Change). When the federal government initiates mass changes such as periodic COLAs in OASDI, SSI, veterans’ benefits and other federal benefits, ESA issues an individual Notice of Adverse Action to the specific households that will be adversely affected by the mass change. 15.7.2 District Government–Initiated SNAP Mass Changes As required by federal regulations, ESA makes annual adjustments to SNAP SUA for all certified households. This annual adjustment takes effect prospectively. This adjustment is typically effective for the month of October, along with changes outlined in Section 15.7.1, Federal SNAP Mass Changes, but could be at a different time as specified by ESA. 15.7.2.1 Notice Requirement for District Government–Initiated SNAP Mass Changes When the District government initiates annual adjustments to the utility standards, ESA must issue a general public notification, which may be publicized by news media and posters in ESA Service Centers, issuance locations or other sites frequented by certified households. Because ESA generally implements these changes at the same time as federal SNAP mass changes (Section 15.7.1, Federal SNAP Mass Changes), households are notified of utility allowance changes as part of the Notice of Mass Change (see Section 16.11, Notice of Mass Change). When the District government initiates a mass change to TANF, IDA and GC benefits, ESA must issue a general notice to all households on the SNAP caseload receiving the TANF, IDA or GC benefits that will be affected by the mass change. Example The District enacts legislation to increase TANF full payment levels. Because the income of all TANF recipients will increase and SNAP counts TANF benefits as unearned income when calculating SNAP eligibility and allotment levels, most TANF recipients who also get SNAP will receive reduced SNAP benefits. ESA sends TANF customers a general notice telling them about the increase in TANF benefits. In the notice, ESA also tells customers that because their income is increasing, they should expect that their SNAP benefits will decrease.

Return