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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 c. Document in the case file the reason the reported change was not processed. C. When verification is provided timely: make the change effective the month following the month the change is reported to the local agency and document the case file in NC FAST of all actions taken. D. When verification is not provided timely: 1. Delay the increase in benefits until the required verification is provided or the next recertification, whichever comes first. 2. If verification is subsequently provided, make the change effective the month following the month in which the verification is provided. 3. Document the case file in NC FAST of all actions taken. Examples: • If FNS unit reports their income decreased on May 15th; the verification is provided on June 25th. Increase the FNS unit’s July allotment. If the change is acted on after July 1st, approve the underpayment and submit for approval. Notify the FNS unit of the new benefit amount via the DSS-8562. E. If there is not a sufficient amount of time to increase the benefits, by the next regular issuance, issue a supplement for the amount of the increase by the tenth of the following month. Process the underpayment in NC FAST as appropriate. Examples: • If an FNS unit reports their income decreased by $50 or more on May 15th and provides verification on May 25th. The caseworker increases the FNS unit’s June allotment. If the change is acted on after May 31st, approve the underpayment and submit for approval. Notify the FNS unit of the new benefit amount via the DSS-8562. 515.06 SITUATIONS WHEN BENEFITS CAN NOT BE INCREASED An increase in FNS benefits is prohibited when an FNS unit’s countable income is reduced because of a Work First sanction for failure to perform a required action. Use the following criteria to determine if the gross or net amount of the Work First check should be counted. A. If the Work First check is terminated due to a sanction and the sanction is imposed during the certification period, continue to count the gross payment amount for the full sanction period. B. If a sanction is in place at reapplication/recertification, determine if it is the same sanction or a new sanction. 1. Continue to count the gross payment amount if it is the same sanction.