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The documentation must include: • copies of any recertification or application forms completed during the period of the overpayment; • any case record documentation that verifies that the customer had contact with DHS during the period of the overpayment, but failed to report the change; and • verification of monthly income, including the start and end dates of employment, if the income was earnings. Overpayments are calculated for period not to exceed 12 months prior to the month in which the overpayment is discovered, except in situations where the SSR suspects that a client has a possible IPV or fraud overpayment. In these instances, the SSR must submit wage verification along with the recertification forms for the entire period of the suspected IPV, provided that the entire period does not exceed six years from the date the overpayment was discovered. Example Ms. Jenkins receives TANF. In July, 1999, she found a job, but never reported this change to her caseworker. Ms. Jenkins has recertified every six months from 1999 through 2004. In January 2005, her caseworker discovers that Ms. Jenkins is employed and has received unreported earnings since July 1999. The caseworker suspects an IPV. When the caseworker submits the TANF overpayment, she will submit a copy of the wage verification showing all earnings received since Ms. Jenkins started work and each recertification/application form that Ms. Jenkins completed for the period 1999 through 2004. The SSR must complete the Possible Claims (POCL) screen in ACEDS. The SSR must also compile and submit to the Overpayment Unit a claims package that includes: • the Form 726, Report of Overpayment, signed by a Supervisor; • a printout of the POCL screen; and • all required documentation that supports the claim. Additional information shall be kept by the Overpayment Unit in the claim record such as: • the method of recovery, • overpayment notices and billing records, and • the amount of the overpayment recovered to date.

Compromising Food Stamp Claims 6.4.5

A Food Stamp claim may be reduced in full or in part if the claimant is unable to repay the full claim within a three-year period.

Requesting a Compromise

A Food Stamp claimant may request a compromise at any time after a claim is established, but only one compromise will be granted per claim. Once the Agency grants a compromise, future requests for compromise will be denied. The request must be directed to the IMA office or personnel listed in the customer’s Demand Letter.