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MS 6600 [1]

Volume 2 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program MS 6600 – R. 7/15/26 – OMTL – 702 Assigning Certification Periods

Establish a definite period of time during which a household is eligible to receive benefits.

[Certification periods conform to calendar months. At initial application, the first month of the certification period is generally the month of application, even if the household's eligibility is not determined until a subsequent month, provided all eligibility criteria are met for the month of application.

At recertification, begin the certification period with the month following the last month of the previous certification period.

Certification periods are assigned as follows:

A. [A 4-month certification period is assigned to households that include an Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) individual who is not disabled/incapacitated and does not include a member who is less than 14 years old. B. A 12-month certification period is assigned to households that do not meet the criteria for a four-month or a 36-month certification period. C. A 36-month certification period is assigned to households in which all adult members are age 60 or older and receive either Retired, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) with no earned income. Children with no earned income can be present in the home. A reminder notice of reporting requirements will be issued to these households in the 12th and 24th months of the 36-month certification period.

If a household meets expedited criteria and provides all verification prior to approval, assign a normal certification period.]