Ending a TCA Penalty Period Without Compliance

Official source

In some SNAP situations, a penalty period for noncompliance with a requirement is ended and the sanction is considered cured even though an individual does not technically comply with the TCA program requirement. When a penalized household becomes technically or financially ineligible for TCA or another means-tested benefit, the frozen TCA income is no longer counted in the calculation of the SNAP benefit.

Include the TCA benefit received prior to the reduction or closure of TCA as income for SNAP benefits when a TCA assistance unit is sanctioned for failing to comply with a requirement of Family Investment Program (FIP) or when an assistance unit member has been found guilty of fraud.

Take action on changes in household circumstances that are not related to the penalty imposed by a means-tested program.

Count the public assistance benefit to maintain the SNAP benefit at the same level during the period of reduction, suspension, or termination.

Count the amount recouped from a public assistance benefit for intentional, household-caused overpayments.

210.4 Verification

Verify gross non-exempt income at application and recertification.

See Section 420 for required verification when a change is reported.

The primary source for obtaining verification of income is the applicant. Verification may be made from documentary sources such as pay stubs or from

verbal or written statements made by the employer or the agency from which the income is received.

In addition to verifying reported income, the local department may need to consider the possibility of unreported income. Some situations that may indicate unreported income are:

State Verification Exchange System (SVES) indicates receipt of Social Security Administration administered benefits.

Maryland Automated Benefits System (MABS) indicates work history or receipt of unemployment insurance benefits

Shelter payments exceed reported income

Verify earned income through the applicant whenever possible by viewing the following:

Pay stubs or pay envelopes

Employee’s W-2 form

Ending a TCA Penalty Period Without Compliance

Official source

Take action on changes in household circumstances that are not related to the penalty imposed by a means-tested program.

Count the public assistance benefit to maintain the SNAP benefit at the same level during the period of reduction, suspension, or termination.

Count the amount recouped from a public assistance benefit for intentional, household-caused overpayments.

210.4 Verification

Verify gross non-exempt income at application and recertification.

See Section 420 for required verification when a change is reported.

The primary source for obtaining verification of income is the applicant. Verification may be made from documentary sources such as pay stubs or from

verbal or written statements made by the employer or the agency from which the income is received.

In addition to verifying reported income, the local department may need to consider the possibility of unreported income. Some situations that may indicate unreported income are:

State Verification Exchange System (SVES) indicates receipt of Social Security Administration administered benefits.

Maryland Automated Benefits System (MABS) indicates work history or receipt of unemployment insurance benefits

Shelter payments exceed reported income

Verify earned income through the applicant whenever possible by viewing the following:

Pay stubs or pay envelopes

Employee’s W-2 form