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Page | 274 benefits. Typically, the return date for the renewal form is anywhere between the 1st – 10th of the month. The customer must have at least 10 days to return the renewal from the date it was mailed.

ACCESS generates a list of households that are due for renewal on the 1st of the month. Renewal letters are then generated for these households and placed on the EOS system. The EOS system is software that allows renewal letters to be stored and printed at the appropriate time.

14420 COMPLETION OF RENEWAL BY THE HOUSEHOLD

A. Households have the option of returning the renewal application and paperwork to the local office in person, through the mail, fax, e-mail, or they may complete their renewal on-line.

If the households chooses to complete the renewal online, the household will be asked to complete all required questions and report any changes in their household circumstances. No information will be pre-populated into the renewal form.

B. Most households are required to complete an interview with a Benefits Specialist in order to complete the renewal process. Most interviews are completed over the telephone for renewals. There are some circumstances where an in-person interview needs to be completed. These circumstances include: 1. Household requests an in-person interview 2. No phone number available for the household 3. The Specialist may have knowledge that the household does not have the ability to complete the interview over the phone or determines that an interview is necessary for questionable or complicated situations. See Appendix 2 for Renewal examples.

14430 HOUSEHOLD REPORTING RESPONSIBILITES FOR RENEWALS

Households are required to answer all applicable questions on the EA-301, Renewal Application form. Households are required to report the following information: A. A change in household composition B. An income source change C. Earned income is changed by more than $50 D. Unearned income is changed by more than $50 E. ABAWD status changes F. Change in legally obligated child support paid G. Previously unreported medical expenses H. If the total recurring medical expense changes by more than $25 I. A change in residence and the resulting change in shelter costs J. A new vehicle or resources in excess of $3,000 or $4,500 for elderly or disabled

The household is required to report changes listed above, but also may choose to report other changes. If a change is reported, verification is required.  If the verification is not for expenses and is not provided by the 30th day following the date the EA-301 is received, the case will be closed.  If the verification is for an expense and not provided, the verification code will be marked with an “N” and the expenses will not be budgeted.

Example: Household is certified for benefits from June to May. The renewal notice is sent on April 20th informing the household that their renewal paperwork is due by May 5th. The notice also tells them that they must complete a phone interview on May 13th.