Page 229

B. When an individual(s) recipient in the Food Stamp Program is sanctioned in another means- tested program, such as the Family Independence Program, for failure to that the food stamp benefit will not increase as a result of the loss of income from the means-tested program until such time as he complies with Family Independence program requirements C. When a Family Independence household receives a full-family sanction, the State will remove the non-compliant individual causing the sanction from the food stamp budget (unless he is exempt from food stamp work requirements) and any income he receives will continue to be counted in the food stamp budget. The food stamp benefit paid to the household at the time of the Family Independence case closure will not increase as a result of the loss of income from the Family Independence case closure. This process is limited to one year or until such time as the non- compliant individual complies with Family Independence program requirements or becomes exempt from food stamp work requirements, whichever is less. D. When a Family Independence household receives a full-family sanction, the non-compliant individual causing the sanction will be removed from the food stamp budget and any income he receives will continue to be counted in the food stamp budget. Also, the Family Independence benefit that is being paid to the household at the time of the Family Independence case closure will continue to be counted in the household’s food stamp budget. This process will continue until such time as the household is reinstated to a Family Independence benefit or until their eligibility for Family Indepen- dence related Medicaid ceases. E. Individuals who are in arrears on court-ordered child support payments are disqualified from food stamp benefits until such time as they enter into an agreement with the court to make payments which will reduce the arrearage amount or until such time as they are no longer in arrears. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 22, Issue No. 6, Part 3, eff June 26, 1998. Amended by State Register Volume 26, Issue No. 5, Part 2, May 24, 2002. 114–1340. Determining Eligibility and Benefit Levels. A. The Department’s time period covered by the benefit month is a calendar month. B. The State will use prospective budgeting for all FS cases, determining the best estimate of income that will exist in the benefit month. Past income which is indicative of future income is used to calculate budgeted income for the certification period. C. The Department will convert income to monthly amounts by multiplying weekly amounts by 4.33 and bi-weekly amounts by 2.16. D. The State will automatically process by the FS computer system, Social Security and Supplemen- tal Security Income cost of living increases received by benefit group members. E. When calculating income and benefit level, dollars and cents shall be included at each step of the FS calculation. Final income and deduction amounts will be rounded down. F. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income cost of living increases received by benefit group members will be automatically processed by the FS computer system. G. Food Stamp recipients who leave a drug or alcohol abuse treatment center, for whom the center was the individual’s authorized representative, during the month are entitled to a portion of their monthly food stamp benefit. The treatment center must make the appropriate share of the food stamp benefit available to the recipient. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 5, eff May 26, 1995. Amended by State Register Volume 22, Issue No. 6, Part 3, eff June 26, 1998; State Register Volume 26, Issue No. 5, Part 2, eff May 24, 2002. 114–1345. Work Supplementation Program. The Department may elect to operate a Work Supplementation or Support Program under Section 849 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–193). A. Such a program may provide public assistance to an employer, using a benefit provided under the Food Stamp Program, which may be used for hiring and employing a recipient who was not employed by the employer at the time the recipient entered the Food Stamp Program.