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standard deduction, shelter deduction and dependent care deduction, shall apply to all households and take effect prospectively at a specific time designated by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). These adjustments are usually made effective October 1.

NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INITIATED FOOD STAMP MASS CHANGES 9.5

When the Federal government initiates mass changes to the income eligibility standards, standard deductions, shelter deduction, dependent care deduction or maximum Food Stamp allotments, ESA may issue a general notice to all certified households or publicize the mass change through methods of mass publication, such as news media, posters in ESA service centers, issuance locations or other sites frequented by certified households. ESA will provide notification of these federal adjustments through mass publication after FNS releases its annual update. Although ESA is not required to issue a general notice to participating households, it may choose to send a general notice when mass changes are made outside of the normal time periods.

When the Federal government initiates mass changes such as periodic COLAs in OASDI, SSI, Veteran Benefits and other Federal benefits, ESA shall issue an individual Notice of Adverse Action to the specific households that will be affected by the mass change (see Part VIII, Chapter 10, Notice of Adverse Action).

DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INITIATED FOOD STAMP MASS CHANGES 9.6

The District government makes annual adjustments which incorporate seasonal changes to the utility standards. This annual adjustment shall take effect in the month of October or as specified by ESA. This annual or time specified adjustment shall be made for all certified households.

NOTICE REQUIREMENT FOR DISTRICT GOVERNMENT INITIATED FOOD STAMP MASS CHANGES 9.7

Changes in Utility Standards

When the District government initiates annual adjustments to the utility standards, ESA shall issue a general public notification, which may be publicized by news media, posters in ESA service centers, issuance locations or other sites frequented by certified households.

Changes in Public Assistance Benefits

When the District government initiates a mass change to TANF, IDA and GAC benefits, ESA shall issue a general notice to all households on the Food Stamp caseload receiving the TANF, IDA, or GAC benefits who will be affected by the mass change(s).

Example

The District enacts legislation to increase TANF full payment levels. Because the income of all TANF recipients will increase and Food Stamps counts TANF benefits when calculating the Food Stamp allotment, most TANF recipients that also get food stamps will receive reduced Food Stamp benefits. ESA sends TANF customers a general notice telling them about the increase in TANF benefits. In the notice it also tells them that because their income is increasing they should expect that their Food Stamp benefits will decrease.