Page 21

Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: FS 16

If the student turns 18 years of age or graduates from high school during the certification period, the earnings will be included as income in the month following the month of the 18th birthday or month of graduation. Verification that the student under age 18 is attending elementary or secondary school is required. 2410.0400 RIVERSIDE (FS) When TCA is decreased or terminated due to the recipient’s failure to meet a program requirement, food stamps cannot increase. Riverside policy does not apply when cash assistance is reduced as the result of an agency error.

The eligibility specialist will calculate food stamps using the TCA benefit amount that would have been issued if the failure to meet program requirements had not occurred.

Once imposed, a Riverside penalty continues until the failure to meet program requirements is cured, the recipient is no longer eligible for TCA, or the recipient states they no longer wish to receive assistance.

Changes resulting from circumstances not related to the recipient’s failure to meet a requirement of TCA will be processed in accordance with current policy. The “phantom grant” will be recalculated when a change is reported that would result in a change in the TCA amount except when someone moves into the home. The eligibility specialist is required to provide notice any time benefits change. When the TCA is originally reduced for non-compliance, a 10-day notice is provided. If the recipient requests a fair hearing for TCA within 10 days of receiving this notification and TCA benefits are continued pending the hearing decision, no reduction in TCA will be implemented and the Riverside penalty will not be applied until the hearing is completed. 2410.0405 Disqualifications and Benefit Recovery (FS) The following Food Stamp Program disqualifications apply:

1. Disqualification Penalty for Intentional Program Violation: An individual found guilty of an intentional program violation will be ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program for a period of one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense and permanently for a third offense.

2. Permanent Disqualification for Food Stamp Trafficking Conviction of $500 or More: An individual who is found guilty of trafficking food stamps in the amount of $500 or more will be permanently disqualified from participation in the Food Stamp Program.

3. Disqualification for Fraudulent Receipt of Multiple Program Benefits: An individual shall be ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program as a member of any household for 10 years if the individual is found by a state agency to have made, or is convicted in a Federal or state court of having made, a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to identity and residence in order to receive multiple benefits simultaneously from the Food Stamp Program. An example of this could be individuals who live in border towns between Florida, Alabama and Georgia and receive benefits in two or more states simultaneously.

4. Disqualification for Fleeing Felons: An individual who is otherwise eligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program and is a fleeing felon or probation violator is ineligible for food stamps as long as they are in that status.

5. Disqualification for Purchasing Illegal Drugs with Food Stamp Benefits: An individual found by a Federal, state or local court to have used or received food stamps in a