412.1 Purpose

In the initial month of certification Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are reduced in proportion to the date the application is filed. This section provides the policy for determining the initial month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit.

412.2 Definition of Initial Allotment

The initial month is the first month an allotment is issued. The initial month follows any period during which the household is not certified for participation. This definition does not apply to migrant and seasonal farm workers.

The initial month for migrant and seasonal farm workers is the first month for which the household is certified for participation following any period of more than 30 days during which the household was not certified for participation.

If the household causes an application processing delay beyond 30 days, the first allotment is prorated from the date the household took the required action.

NOTE: Since the household’s initial month’s SNAP benefits depend on the date the application is filed, local departments must ensure that:

An application is provided upon request

The household’s right to same-day-filing is explained

The application is accepted the same day it is filed

412.3 Determining Eligibility

Base a household’s initial month’s allotment on its circumstances for the application month.

The local department will determine the household’s normal allotment and then use that amount to prorate SNAP benefits for the initial month.

Do not issue an allotment if the prorated amount is less than $10. (This applies to all households including one and two-person households.)