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Page | 276 D. A household who fails to submit a timely application for renewal, complete the required interview, or fails to submit any missing verification within the requested time frame, loses its right to uninterrupted benefits. Households refusing to provide required information will have their case closed 30 days after the date the renewal form was received.

E. Any renewal application not submitted in a timely manner (after the last day of the current certification period) will have their application prorated based on the date the renewal application was received.

F. Appendix 2 details when a renewal should be looked at as a new application. Benefits Specialists should use this appendix as a guide to determine whether a late renewal application should be a reinstatement or a new application.

14500 REPORTING LOTTERY OR GAMBLING WINNINGS

A household must report, within 10 days of the receipt, substantial lottery or gambling winnings which is equal to or greater than $4,500 (before taxes or other amounts are withheld). If multiple individuals shared in the purchase of a ticket, hand, or similar bet, then only the portion of the winning allocated to the member of the household will be counted toward the eligibility determination.

Once the winnings are discovered, the individual must lose their eligibility for SNAP benefits. The Benefits Specialists must immediately close the case that the individual is receiving benefits in and send notice to the household of their ineligibility. No 10 day notice is required. If benefits have already been paid for the month, then the case is closed for the following month. This applies to all SNAP households, including categorically eligible, General Assistance, Social Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) households.

Individuals may regain eligibility by re-applying for benefits and providing verification that they meet the income and resource limits for a household of their size.

14600 NOTICES All notices regarding changes in a household's benefits must meet the definition of adequate notice unless otherwise noted. Notice is required if there is any change from the household’s prior benefit level. The notice must explain the basis for the determination. If benefits are reduced or terminated based on information received in the six month report form, the notice must be sent so that the household receive the notice no later than either the date the resulting benefits are to be received or in place of the benefits.

Example: Charles and his family are receiving SNAP benefits. Charles reports on December 15th that he won $10,000 on a scratch ticket on December 10th. The Benefits Specialist takes the report of information from Charles and closes Charles’ case for January since December benefits have already paid. The notice sent to Charles tells him that his case was closed due to substantial lottery winnings. On December 28th Charles reports that they spent all the winnings on Christmas presents for their family and wants to know if he can re-apply for January. Charles can re-apply for benefits for January and have a new eligibility period as long as he completes a new application and verifies that he meets the income and resource guidelines for a household of his size.