6. COLLECTION PROCEDURES:

A. The Department shall pursue collection action against any and all of the adult members of a household at the time an overpayment occurred. SNAP Program recipients responsible for repayment of overpayments are those members of the household at least 18 years of age. A person who attains the age of 18 during the overpaid period is responsible for that portion of the overpayment amount occurring after the attainment of age 18. If a change in household composition occurs, collection action may be pursued against any household which has a member who was an adult member of the household that received the over-issuance. The amount of the initial claim may be offset against restored benefits owed to the household which contains such a member.

B. The Department shall reduce any restored benefits due the household members up to the amount to be recouped and apply those funds to the recoupment balance.

C. The Department shall reduce ongoing benefits to recoup the balance of the claim. Unless a higher rate is requested by the household, the following rates apply:

(1) For Agency or Inadvertent Household error claims, the reduction amount is the greater of ten percent of the monthly benefit, or ten dollars.

(2) For Intentional claims, the reduction amount is the greater of 20% of the monthly benefit, or $20.00.

D. The Department shall send a demand letter detailing the amount to be recouped and the rate of recoupment.

E. The Department shall make a personal contact with the household, as appropriate.

F. Cases with an outstanding claim that are not currently receiving benefits equal to or in excess of the minimum reduction amount shall be referred to The Benefit Recovery Unit (BRU).