Food assistance: resource standards

An assistance group who has not been determined categorically eligible in accordance with rule 5101:4-2-02 of the Administrative Code must be under the resource limit in order to be eligible for supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits. Resource limits are reviewed and adjusted annually. The amounts are updated in the statewide automated eligibility system and the county agencies are notified of the amounts by issuance of a food assistance change transmittal, which can be found in the food assistance certification handbook at the Ohio department of job and family services website: http://emanuals.jfs.ohio.gov.

(A) What are the types of resources? There are two types of resources:

(1) Liquid resources: cash on hand, money in checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, stocks or bonds, and lump-sum payments as specified in rule 5101:4-4-07 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Non liquid resources: personal property, buildings, land, recreational properties, and any other property such as boats, vacation homes, and mobile homes provided that these resources are not specifically excluded under rule 5101:4-4-03 of the Administrative Code. The value of nonexempt resources shall be the equity value. The equity value is the fair market value less encumbrances.

(B) Are resources required to be documented and verified?

(1) Resources shall be documented for all assistance groups. During the interview, the county agency shall review with the applicant the resources reported as well as the possibility of unreported resources.

(2) When an assistance group is not categorically eligible, the county agency shall verify resource information when the information is questionable and may affect the assistance group's eligibility and/or benefit level. To be questionable, information on the application must be inconsistent with statements made by the applicant, other information on the application or a previous application, or with information received by the county agency.

(C) How are resources determined for sponsored aliens? For assistance groups containing sponsored aliens as defined in rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code, resources shall also include that portion of the resources of an alien's sponsor and the sponsor's spouse (when living with the sponsor) that has been deemed to be the alien's in accordance with the procedure established in rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code, unless the sponsored alien is otherwise exempt from this provision in accordance with rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code.