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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 1. Do not act on the unclear information if the FNS unit is not required to report per section of FNS 500 Simplified Reporting Category and Reporting Requirements. Non-required reportable changes may include but are not limited to a new household member joining the FNS unit. A reported change of residence (a move) is not a non-required change for this purpose. Act on a reported change of residence in accordance with 515.12, Change of Residence During the Certification Period. Policy alert: A reported move must be acted on. Do not leave the prior residence's shelter or utility amount in place when an FNS unit reports a move. Investigate the new costs, request them with the DSS-8650, and if the FNS unit does not respond within ten calendar days, recalculate without the shelter deduction and utility allowance and send notice. See FNS 515.12; see also FNS 340.08, FNS 215.03, and 7 CFR 273.12(c)(4). 2. If the unclear information could potentially benefit the FNS unit, give or mail the DSS-8650 to the FNS unit. Allow ten calendar days for the FNS unit to provide the requested information or verification. a. If the household provides sufficient information to determine eligibility, the information is considered known to the agency and the worker must react according to the appropriate section of FNS 515 Simplified Reporting Changes During the Certification Period. b. If the FNS unit fails to provide information and/or verification, take no action and document the record to follow up at the next recertification. 515.08 CHANGES RECORDED IN NC FAST A. When a change is reported for a program other than FNS and the changed information is entered into NC FAST and a task is generated to the FNS worker. 1. Determine how the change affects the FNS benefits within ten calendar days of the date the change was reported to the agency. Determine the cause for the change and act on the cumulative effect of the change. 2. Issue a DSS-8562 if benefits increase; make the change effective with the month after the change is reported. 3. Issue a DSS-8553 if benefits decrease or terminate. B. If the Work First payment is reduced or terminated, the family is issued a notice. Do not take action to increase the FNS unit’s benefits until the family decides if it will request a hearing and continued benefits pending the hearing. 1. If the family requests a hearing and the Work First payment is continued, do not change the FNS benefits until after the hearing process is completed.