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Page | 264 C. The household size used in the gross income calculation is the budgeted household size. 1. If during an interim month, an additional person moves in the household, that person does not have to be reported until the next report form or renewal. But if that person’s income makes the household’s income in excess of the maximum limit for the household size they were approved for, the customer must report the income by the 10th of the month following the month the household income is over the maximum allowed. At the time of report, the EABS will also gather information about the additional household member and proceed accordingly. 2. If the household remains ineligible after adding the additional household member, use either the HHSZ or MAXS primary source code and close the case following 10 adverse action or adequate notice requirements, whichever is appropriate. 3. If the household remains eligible after adding the additional household member (under the maximum income), use the HHSZ primary source code to make the changes.

D. When the EABS has verification and/or documented how it was verified that the household income is over the maximum, the case must be closed. Enter a MAXS code in the source field on the income panels on ACCESS when entering income that exceeds the household gross limit. If MAXS (or another primary source code) is not entered, ACCESS will create unknown eligibility results with the reminder “Income test failed without a primary source” on the 4th screen. This alerts the EABS that MAXS needs to be entered on an income panel.

14120 CHANGING FROM A NON-REPORTING HOUSEHOLD TO A SIX MONTH REPORTING HOUSEHOLD

If the household reports a change that requires the household to become a six month reporting household, the Benefits Specialist will inform the household that they will be required to complete a six month report form in the 6th month of their renewal period. If the six month has passed, the Specialist will go over the six month report form at the renewal.

14130 FAILURE TO REPORT CHANGES

If DSS discovers that the household failed to report a change as required and as a result, received benefits to which it was not entitled, a claim must be filed against the household. If the discovery is made within the certification period, the household is entitled to a notice of adverse action if its benefits are reduced or terminated.

A household will not be held liable for a claim because of a change in household circumstances which it is not required to be reported.

Individuals cannot be disqualified for failing to report a change unless the individual is disqualified in accordance with intentional program violation disqualification procedures. Example 1: Jane’s renewal period is January – December. On July 8th, Jane started a new job and is paid $1,700 every other Friday. Her first check is July 22 and will be the only check she receives in July. In August, she will receive 2 checks total $3,400, which is over the maximum. She will need to report this income by September 10, which closes her case for October.

Example 2: Jack’s renewal period is January – December. Jack received five checks in April and the total of the five checks is over the maximum allowed. He must report the income by May 10th. The EABS disregards the fifth check which then makes the countable income under the Jack’s maximum gross income limit. Jack remains eligible.