480.5 The Impact of Simplified Reporting on an IPV

During the certification period households in SNAP benefit simplified reporting have to report when their household income is more than 130 percent of the federal poverty level (SNAP benefit gross income limit). They must report all changes and new information at every SNAP benefit recertification. Case managers must take action on any reported change.

If the household receives another program, such as medical assistance or TCA, the household must follow the reporting requirements for that program. This does not mean that for SNAP benefits the household has a reporting requirement other than simplified reporting. If the household fails to report an increase in income that does not exceed 130 percent of the poverty level, there is no overpayment or potential IPV for SNAP benefits. There may be an overpayment or potential IPV for another benefit program.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. A and their children receive SNAP benefits and TCA. Mr. A was working part-time and provided proof of income at the last recertification. This income was used to calculate the TCA and SNAP benefit. Mrs. A got a part-time job after recertification. The household’s income was still below the SNAP benefit gross income limit. Although Mrs. A’s new job was a reportable change for TCA, the household was not required to report the change for SNAP benefits because of simplified reporting. The agency took action on the reported change for all programs. There would be no overpayment or potential fraud determination for SNAP benefits. There may be for TCA if not reported timely because this was a reportable change for TCA.

480.6 Local Department Responsibility

Each director of a local department will designate an individual in an administrative or supervisory position to review all overissuances where there are indications that an IPV has been committed. The director’s designee will determine the following:

The presence of clear indications that the violation was committed with the intent to obtain SNAP benefits to which the households was not entitled;

The presence of sufficient documentation to substantiate that an IPV was committed; and

The potential acceptance by the local State’s Attorney’s Office of the case for prosecution.

If the local department does not initiate administrative disqualification procedures or refer a case for prosecution of a suspected IPV, the local department must

480.6 Local Department Responsibility (continued)

Take action to collect the overissuance by establishing an inadvertent household error claim.

The local department must notify the DHS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of any initiated administrative disqualification procedures or referral of a case for prosecution of a suspected IPV.

480.7 Court Referrals and Decisions

The local department will:

Confer with the State’s Attorney to determine which cases are acceptable for prosecution.

Disqualify a household member in accordance with a court order if the court imposes a disqualification period and specifies the date it begins.

Impose the appropriate penalty and disqualify the individual within forty-five days of the court decision date if the court does not specify or address the disqualification period.