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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION SIMPLIFIED REPORTING (SR) HOUSEHOLDS FNS 515 SR CHANGES DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD

Section 515 Change #02-2026 (Corrected) August 13, 2026 515.02 NO CHANGE IN ELIGIBILITY OR BENEFIT A. Obtain the necessary verifications. Refer to the appropriate manual section for verifications needed to process the change. B. If the change does not affect the FNS unit’s eligibility or benefits, use the DSS-8562 Effect of Change Notice to notify the FNS unit that the change did not affect the allotment. If the FNS unit did not report the change (for example, the change was reported by the Work First Unit), a notice to the household is not required. An Effect of Change is not necessary unless the change was “reportable” per FNS 500.03 SR Household’s Reporting Requirements. Document the case file in NC FAST the reason the reported change was or was not processed. 515.03 TERMINATION OF BENEFITS If the change will terminate eligibility and benefits, take the following actions, and document the case file in NC FAST. A. Issue a DSS-8553 within ten calendar days of the change being reported. NOTE: Refer to FNS 170.05 Exceptions to Notice of Adverse Action for procedure to use when a termination does not require a DSS-8553. B. Whether to verify a change before issuing the DSS-8553 depends on the changed item's verification category under FNS 435.01: 1. Mandatory verifications (FNS 435.01 A): verify before issuing the DSS-8553; if the verification is not already in hand, request it per 515.07, Changes with Unclear Information. 2. Required (FNS 435.01 B) and non-required (FNS 435.01 C) verifications: issue the DSS-8553 without waiting for verification. Complete on-line matches, if applicable, to verify changed information. C. Terminate the benefits effective the month following the month in which the DSS-8553 expires. NOTE: Terminations not requiring a DSS-8553 are effective the month the termination is determined in NC FAST. D. If the FNS unit requests a fair hearing and continuation of benefits prior to the expiration date of the DSS-8553, do not terminate the benefits. Follow instructions in FNS 700 Fair Hearings. 515.04 DECREASE IN BENEFITS If the change decreases the benefits, take the following actions, and document the case file in NC FAST.