Food assistance: determining monthly food assistance benefits

(a) Calculate the AG's net monthly income in accordance with rule 5101:4-4-31 of the Administrative Code.

(b) When the AG is categorically eligible in accordance with rule 5101:4-2-02 of the Administrative Code and thus not subject to the net income standard, find the monthly SNAP allotment on the basis of coupon/ EBT issuance table using the AG's net monthly income and the appropriate AG size.

(c) When the AG is subject to the net income standard, compare the AG's net monthly income to the maximum net monthly income standard for the appropriate AG size. When the AG's net income is greater than the net monthly income standard, the AG is ineligible. When the AG's net income is equal to or less than the net monthly income standard, the AG is eligible. Find the SNAP allotment amount on the basis of coupon/EBT issuance table using the AG's net monthly income and the appropriate AG size.

(d) Eligible AGs of one or two persons are eligible for a full monthly SNAP allotment of no less than the minimum benefitamount.

(e) AGs containing three or more members shall receive the actual calculated SNAP allotment.

(2) To calculate the SNAP allotment manually (without using the basis of coupon/EBT issuance table):

(a) Calculate the AG's net monthly income in accordance with rule 5101:4-4-31 of the Administrative Code.

(b) When the AG is categorically eligible in accordance with rule 5101:4-2-02 of the Administrative Code and thus not subject to the net monthly income standard, multiply the net monthly income by thirty per cent.

(c) When the AG is subject to the net income standard, compare the AG's net monthly income to the maximum net monthly income standard for the appropriate AG size. When the AG's net income is greater than the net monthly income standard, the AG is ineligible. When the AG's net income is equal to or less than the net monthly income standard, the AG is eligible. Multiply the net monthly income by thirty per cent.

(d) Round the product up to the next whole dollar when it ends in one cent through ninety-nine cents.

(e) To obtain the SNAP allotment, subtract the result of the amount calculated in paragraph (A)(2)(d) of this rule from the maximum SNAP allotment for the appropriate AG size.

(f) When the SNAP allotment is for a one or two person AG and the computation results in an allotment of less than the minimum benefit amount, round up to the minimum benefit amount.

(g) AGs containing three or more members shall receive the actual calculated SNAP allotment.

(B) How are SNAP allotments prorated for the initial month? The term "initial month" means the first month that the AG is certified for participation in SNAP. The initial month must follow a period when the AG was not participating in SNAP. For most AGs the break in receiving SNAP can be any amount of time. However, for migrant and seasonal farm workers, an initial month is determined by a break in benefits of at least one month. AGs containing migrant and seasonal farm workers shall receive a full month's SNAP allotment with no proration when the break in benefits is less than one month. SNAP allotments for the initial month of application are prorated based on the date the application is received by the county agency. To prorate the initial month of benefits the county agency must determine what the SNAP allotment would have been for the entire month as explained in paragraph (A) of this rule, and then prorate the benefits as described in this paragraph based on the date the application was received: The steps for prorating are:

(1) Add one to the number of days in the month;

(2) Subtract the date the application was received from the total calculated in paragraph (B)(1) of this rule.

(3) Multiply the amount from paragraph (B)(2) of this rule by the full month's allotment determined from paragraph (A) of this rule.

(4) Divide the amount from paragraph (B)(3) of this rule by the number of days in the month.

(5) When the number calculated in paragraph (B)(4) of this rule ends in one cent through ninety-nine cents, round it down to the next lower dollar.

(6) When the number calculated results in an allotment of less than ten dollars, round it to zero dollars. When the amount calculated is ten dollars or more the benefit should be issued.

(C) What happens when there are anticipated changes at the time of application?

(1) An AG's SNAP allotment for the month of application may be different than the following months.

(2) An AG may be eligible for the month of application, but ineligible in the next month. The AG is entitled to benefits for the month of application even when the processing of its application results in the benefits being issued in the next month.

(3) Similarly, an AG may be ineligible for the month of application, but eligible in the next month due to anticipated changes in circumstances. Even though denied for the month of application, the AG does not have to reapply in the next month. The same application shall be used for the denial for the month of application and the approval for the next months, within the timeliness standards as described in rule 5101:4-2-11 of the Administrative Code.

(D) What happens when there are anticipated changes at the time of recertification? Eligibility for recertification shall be determined based on circumstances anticipated for the certification period starting the month following the expiration of the current certification period.

(1) When an AG, other than a migrant or seasonal farm worker AG, submits an application after the AG's certification period has expired, that application shall be considered an initial application and benefits for that month shall be prorated.

(2) When an AG's failure to timely reapply for benefits was due to an error of the county agency and therefore, there was a break in participation, the county agency shall follow procedures in rule 5101:4-5-07 of the Administrative Code.

(3) When an AG reapplies prior to the end of its certification period, but is found ineligible for the first month following the end of the certification period, the first month of any subsequent participation shall be considered an initial month.

(4) When an AG submits a recertification for benefits prior to the end of its certification period and is found eligible for the first month following the end of the certification period, then that month shall not be an initial month.

(5) The requirements of paragraph (D)(4) of this rule are effective only when the AG has been properly notified of the expiration of its certification period, as described in rule 5101:4-7-07 of the Administrative Code.