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us-tn/manual/dhs/snap — Axiom

(24-00)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.00 Rights and Responsibilities of SNAP Applicants/Participants#

(24-00)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 9 SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants Policy 24.00 Eﬀective: November 1, 2019 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is required to meet federal and state guidelines regarding the rights and responsibilities for both the state agency and the applicant/participant’s right to apply and receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneﬁts and adhere to the procedures for determining eligibility and addressing any issues which may arise. Scope This policy was developed to provide an explanation of the rights and responsibilities associated with applying for and receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits along with the procedures for filing a complaint if deemed necessary. Policy A. Customer Right to Apply 1. Any person wishing to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) shall have the opportunity to apply. 2. Information about the programs of assistance administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall be provided to any person requesting the information. 3. Applications must be ﬁled in person at a TDHS Oﬃce or online. The application must be ﬁled by the applicant themselves, her/his authorized representative, or designated agent, or someone acting responsibly for her/him. 4. An applicant may be assisted by any individual of her/his choosing in the various aspects of the application/redetermination of eligibility process. However, it is unlawful for any person/agency to charge or receive anything of value, either directly or indirectly, for providing such assistance to a person requesting aid. 5. Eligibility is not required of a person prior to ﬁling an application.

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Rules

opportunity_to_participate_deadline_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3

- name: opportunity_to_participate_deadline_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: parameter
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
            excerpt: no later than thirty (30) calendar days after an application is filed
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

withdrawal_available_before_eligibility_determination

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2

- name: withdrawal_available_before_eligibility_determination
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        application_filed
        and eligibility_determination_not_completed

withdrawal_documentation_requirement_satisfied

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2(a)

- name: withdrawal_documentation_requirement_satisfied
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2(a)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        not household_voluntarily_withdraws_application

        or (eligibility_counselor_documented_withdrawal_reason_if_any and
        eligibility_counselor_documented_contact_confirming_withdrawal)

withdrawal_reapplication_advisement_requirement_satisfied

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2(b)

- name: withdrawal_reapplication_advisement_requirement_satisfied
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 2(b)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        not household_voluntarily_withdraws_application
        or household_advised_of_right_to_reapply_at_any_time

opportunity_to_participate_timely

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3

- name: opportunity_to_participate_timely
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1#opportunity_to_participate_deadline_days
            output: opportunity_to_participate_deadline_days
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        days_after_application_filed_when_opportunity_to_participate_given <=
        opportunity_to_participate_deadline_days

expedited_service_available

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3

- name: expedited_service_available
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: household_meets_expedited_service_criteria

retroactive_benefits_to_application_filing_day_required

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3

- name: retroactive_benefits_to_application_filing_day_required
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02, Application Process paragraph 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-1
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_completed_application_process
        and household_determined_eligible
        and household_eligible_for_benefits_in_month_of_application

mid_month_cutoff_day

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3-5 ("fifteenth (15th) of the month")

- name: mid_month_cutoff_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3-5 ("fifteenth (15th) of the month")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: applying through the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '15'

expedited_issuance_deadline_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 6 ("seventh (7th) calendar day following the application date")

- name: expedited_issuance_deadline_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 6 ("seventh (7th) calendar day following the application date")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: >-
              receive the benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day following the
              application date
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '7'

applied_through_mid_month

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3-4

- name: applied_through_mid_month
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3-4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: applying through the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: application_day_of_month <= mid_month_cutoff_day

applied_after_mid_month

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 5

- name: applied_after_mid_month
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 5
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: applying after the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: application_day_of_month > mid_month_cutoff_day

expedited_application_month_issuance_authorized

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 (expedited applicants receive benefits for the month of application)

- name: expedited_application_month_issuance_authorized
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraphs 3, 4, 5 (expedited applicants receive benefits for the month of
    application)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: issued benefits for the month of application
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_entitled_to_expedited_service
        and (applied_through_mid_month or applied_after_mid_month)

future_issuance_withheld_pending_verification

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 4 ("Future issuances are withheld pending required verification.")

- name: future_issuance_withheld_pending_verification
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 4 ("Future issuances are withheld pending required verification.")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: Future issuances are withheld pending required verification.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_entitled_to_expedited_service
        and applied_through_mid_month
        and not ongoing_verifications_provided

prorated_and_first_recurring_issued_together

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 5

- name: prorated_and_first_recurring_issued_together
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 5
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: >-
              issued benefits for the prorated application month and the first recurring month at
              the same time
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_entitled_to_expedited_service
        and applied_after_mid_month

expedited_issuance_timely

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 6 ("receive the benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day following the application date")

- name: expedited_issuance_timely
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    SNAP Policy 24.02, paragraph 6 ("receive the benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar
    day following the application date")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-10
            excerpt: >-
              the county office will determine eligibility timely enough for the household to
              receive the benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day following the
              application date
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_entitled_to_expedited_service
        and days_from_application_to_benefit_receipt <= expedited_issuance_deadline_days

standard_maximum_certification_period_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7

- name: standard_maximum_certification_period_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: six (6) months or less
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '6'

extended_certification_period_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7

- name: extended_certification_period_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: twenty-four (24) month certification can be approved
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '24'

simplified_reporting_minimum_certification_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.a

- name: simplified_reporting_minimum_certification_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: >-
              Cases certified at least four (4) months can be considered simplified reporting
              households
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '4'

mid_certification_report_due_month

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b

- name: mid_certification_report_due_month
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: submit HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report at the twelfth (12th) month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '12'

mid_certification_report_sent_month

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b

- name: mid_certification_report_sent_month
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: sent their HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report in the tenth (10th) month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '10'

household_eligible_for_extended_certification_period

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7

- name: household_eligible_for_extended_certification_period
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: >-
              all adult members are elderly or disabled, with no earned income, and the household is
              not receiving or applying for Families First
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        all_adult_members_are_elderly_or_disabled
        and not household_has_earned_income
        and not household_receiving_or_applying_for_families_first

household_certification_period_months

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7

- name: household_certification_period_months
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Integer
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: >-
              longest certification periods possible based on the predictability of the household's
              circumstances
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_eligible_for_extended_certification_period:
        extended_certification_period_months else: standard_maximum_certification_period_months

household_is_simplified_reporting

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.a

- name: household_is_simplified_reporting
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: >-
              Cases certified at least four (4) months can be considered simplified reporting
              households unless self-employment is the only earned income in the case
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_certification_period_months >= simplified_reporting_minimum_certification_months
        and not self_employment_is_only_earned_income

household_must_submit_mid_certification_report

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b

- name: household_must_submit_mid_certification_report
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02, page 13, paragraph 7.b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-13
            excerpt: >-
              Households that are eligible and are certified for twenty-four (24) months will be
              required to submit HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report at the twelfth (12th) month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: household_certification_period_months == extended_certification_period_months

expedited_short_certification_min_months_after_fifteenth

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a

- name: expedited_short_certification_min_months_after_fifteenth
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: >-
              certify the household for at least two (2) months (month of application and the
              following month)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '2'

postponed_verification_deadline_days

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 16.c

- name: postponed_verification_deadline_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 16.c
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: >-
              the household has thirty (30) days from the application date to provide the postponed
              verification
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

application_filed_after_fifteenth_cutoff_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a

- name: application_filed_after_fifteenth_cutoff_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: the application was filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '15'

six_month_certification_length

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.a

- name: six_month_certification_length
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: households certified for six (6) months
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '6'

twenty_four_month_certification_length

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.b

- name: twenty_four_month_certification_length
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: certified for twenty-four (24) months
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '24'

twenty_four_month_partial_averaging_months

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.b.ii

- name: twenty_four_month_partial_averaging_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17.b.ii
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: Average the expense over the first 12 (twelve) months of the certification period
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '12'

expedited_postponed_verification_certification_months

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a-b

- name: expedited_postponed_verification_certification_months
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 15.a-b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: >-
              Certify the household only for the month of application, unless the application was
              filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month; When the household applies after the
              fifteenth (15th) of the month, certify the household for at least two (2) months
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        if assign_normal_certification_period: normal_certification_period_months

        else: if application_filed_after_fifteenth_of_month:
        expedited_short_certification_min_months_after_fifteenth

        else: 1

postponed_verification_deadline_applies

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 16.c

- name: postponed_verification_deadline_applies
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 16.c
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: >-
              in cases where the household has been assigned a certification period longer than one
              month, the household has thirty (30) days from the application date to provide the
              postponed verification
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: expedited_postponed_verification_certification_months > 1

one_time_medical_expense_deduction_amount

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17

- name: one_time_medical_expense_deduction_amount
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Money
  unit: USD
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 15, item 17
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-15
            excerpt: >-
              For households certified for six (6) months shall have the option to; i. Deduct the
              expense in the first month of the certification period, or ii. Average the expense
              over six (6) months of the certification period. b. For households that qualify and
              are certified for twenty-four (24) months have the option to: i. Deduct the expense in
              the first month of the certification period, ii. Average the expense over the first 12
              (twelve) months of the certification period, or iii. Average the expense over the
              entire twenty-four (24) month certification period.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        if not household_has_one_time_medical_expense: 0

        else: if certified_for_twenty_four_months and elect_average_over_twenty_four_months:
        one_time_medical_expense_total / twenty_four_month_certification_length

        else: if certified_for_twenty_four_months and elect_average_over_first_twelve_months:
        one_time_medical_expense_total / twenty_four_month_partial_averaging_months

        else: if certified_for_six_months and elect_average_over_six_months:
        one_time_medical_expense_total / six_month_certification_length

        else: if month_is_first_month_of_certification_period: one_time_medical_expense_total

        else: 0

first_half_certification_months

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.i

- name: first_half_certification_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.i
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-16
            excerpt: reported in the first twelve (12) months of certification
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '12'

missed_interview_denial_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph 4

- name: missed_interview_denial_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph 4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-16
            excerpt: the application shall be denied on the thirtieth (30th) day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

one_time_medical_expense_reported_in_first_half

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.i

- name: one_time_medical_expense_reported_in_first_half
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.i
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-16
            excerpt: One-time medical expenses reported in the first twelve (12) months of certification
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_is_certified_for_extended_period
        and household_reported_one_time_medical_expense
        and one_time_medical_expense_month_of_certification <= first_half_certification_months

one_time_medical_expense_reported_after_first_half

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.ii

- name: one_time_medical_expense_reported_after_first_half
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph c.ii
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-16
            excerpt: >-
              One-time medical expenses reported after the twelfth (12th) month of the certification
              period
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_is_certified_for_extended_period
        and household_reported_one_time_medical_expense
        and one_time_medical_expense_month_of_certification > first_half_certification_months

application_denied_for_missed_interview

Derived

source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph 4

- name: application_denied_for_missed_interview
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.02 page 16, paragraph 4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-16
            excerpt: >-
              If the customer has not rescheduled, the application shall be denied on the thirtieth
              (30th) day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        application_for_initial_benefits_filed
        and eligibility_interview_not_completed
        and household_notified_in_writing_of_missed_interview
        and not customer_rescheduled_interview
        and days_since_application_filed >= missed_interview_denial_day

snap_standard_processing_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - "within thirty (30) days after the application is filed"

- name: snap_standard_processing_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - "within thirty (30) days after the
    application is filed"
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-3
            excerpt: within thirty (30) days after the application is filed
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

snap_expedited_processing_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - "within seven (7) days if screened and eligible for expedited services"

- name: snap_expedited_processing_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - "within seven (7) days if screened and
    eligible for expedited services"
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-3
            excerpt: within seven (7) days if screened and eligible for expedited services
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '7'

snap_application_processing_standard_days

Derived

source: SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - interview must be scheduled to ensure participation within thirty days, or within seven days if screened and eligible for expedited services

- name: snap_application_processing_standard_days
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Integer
  period: Day
  source: >-
    SNAP Application Processing, Policy 24.02, page 3 - interview must be scheduled to ensure
    participation within thirty days, or within seven days if screened and eligible for expedited
    services
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              within thirty (30) days after the application is filed or within seven (7) days if
              screened and eligible for expedited services
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_screened_eligible_for_expedited_service: snap_expedited_processing_days else:
        snap_standard_processing_days

snap_eligibility_determination_days

Parameter

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 8

- name: snap_eligibility_determination_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 8
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              TDHS has thirty (30) days (unless the household is entitled to expedited service) to
              determine SNAP eligibility
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

snap_change_reporting_days

Parameter

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 9

- name: snap_change_reporting_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 9
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              to report any change in their circumstances within ten (10) days of the date the
              change becomes known to the household
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '10'

snap_household_subject_to_change_reporting

Derived

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 9

- name: snap_household_subject_to_change_reporting
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02 page 6, item 9
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              cases assigned to Simplified Reporting are not subject to regular reporting
              requirements
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: not household_is_assigned_to_simplified_reporting

minimum_verification_response_days

Parameter

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 7

- name: minimum_verification_response_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-7
            excerpt: at least ten days following the written request's mail date
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '10'

applicant_given_sufficient_verification_time

Derived

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 7

- name: applicant_given_sufficient_verification_time
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-7
            excerpt: >-
              must be given sufficient time (at least ten days following the written request's mail
              date)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: days_provided_to_supply_verification >= minimum_verification_response_days

case_denial_prohibited_due_to_alternative_source

Derived

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 8

- name: case_denial_prohibited_due_to_alternative_source
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, item 8
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-7
            excerpt: >-
              Under no circumstances is a case to be denied or closed for failure to provide
              verification from a particular source when another source could serve the same
              purpose.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: alternative_verification_source_available

applicant_statement_accepted_as_verification

Derived

source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, items 9-10

- name: applicant_statement_accepted_as_verification
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Day
  source: TN DHS SNAP Policy 24.02, page 7, items 9-10
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-7
            excerpt: a statement signed and dated by the applicant may be accepted as verification
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: >-
        (only_one_verification_source_exists and verification_source_no_longer_available)

        or (third_party_verification_unobtainable_despite_best_efforts and
        applicant_provided_written_or_verbal_declaration)

state_qc_review_reopen_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i

- name: state_qc_review_reopen_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: >-
              within one hundred and fifteen (115) days from the end of the annual review period for
              a state review
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '115'

federal_qc_review_reopen_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i

- name: federal_qc_review_reopen_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: seven months for a federal review
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '7'

minimum_days_to_cooperate

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.c

- name: minimum_days_to_cooperate
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.c
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: the household will be given at least ten (10) days to cooperate
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '10'

application_processing_extension_threshold_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.iii

- name: application_processing_extension_threshold_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.iii
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: >-
              If the application processing period extends beyond thirty (30) days because of the
              time necessary for the QC review
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: '30'

household_must_cooperate_with_qc_before_eligibility

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i-ii

- name: household_must_cooperate_with_qc_before_eligibility
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 4.b.i-ii
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: >-
              If the household reapplies within one hundred and fifteen (115) days from the end of
              the annual review period for a state review, or seven months for a federal review, it
              must cooperate with QC and complete the review before it may be determined eligible
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        (household_reapplied_after_qc_refusal
        and qc_review_was_state_review
        and days_since_end_of_annual_review_period <= state_qc_review_reopen_days)
        or
        (household_reapplied_after_qc_refusal
        and qc_review_was_federal_review
        and months_since_end_of_federal_review_period <= federal_qc_review_reopen_months)

household_denied_for_refusal_to_cooperate

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.a and 3

- name: household_denied_for_refusal_to_cooperate
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.a and 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: >-
              Refusal to provide verification or information needed to obtain required verification
              is sufficient ground for denial or termination.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: |-
        household_refused_to_provide_required_verification
        and not eligibility_counselor_unsure_refusal_or_failure

reasonable_opportunity_to_cooperate_applies

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.c

- name: reasonable_opportunity_to_cooperate_applies
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.02 page 8, 2.c
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-02/page-8
            excerpt: >-
              If the Eligibility Counselor is unsure whether the household has refused or merely
              failed to cooperate, the request for assistance will not be denied or terminated.
              Instead, the household will be given a reasonable opportunity to cooperate.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-12-01'
      formula: eligibility_counselor_unsure_refusal_or_failure

expedited_processing_standard_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.2-A.3

- name: expedited_processing_standard_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.2-A.3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-1
            excerpt: seven (7) calendar days for expedited applications
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '7'

regular_processing_standard_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.2

- name: regular_processing_standard_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-1
            excerpt: thirty (30) calendar days for regular applications
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '30'

expedited_no_ebt_processing_standard_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.5

- name: expedited_no_ebt_processing_standard_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.5
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-1
            excerpt: the application should be processed on or before the fourth (4th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '4'

application_processing_deadline_days

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.3-A.5

- name: application_processing_deadline_days
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Integer
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.03, A.3-A.5
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-1
            excerpt: >-
              the application should be processed on or before the fourth (4th) calendar day to
              ensure that the card and beneﬁts would be received by the seventh (7th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        if application_is_expedited:
          if household_has_ebt_card: expedited_processing_standard_days
          else: expedited_no_ebt_processing_standard_days
        else: regular_processing_standard_days

expedited_interview_completion_days

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a

- name: expedited_interview_completion_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              fails to complete the interview process within four (4) calendar days of the
              application date
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '4'

normal_processing_days

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a; D.1

- name: normal_processing_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a; D.1
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: normal timeliness standards of thirty (30) calendar days
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '30'

late_discovered_expedited_issuance_days

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 A.6

- name: late_discovered_expedited_issuance_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 A.6
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              must receive beneﬁts on or before the seventh (7th) day following the date of
              discovery
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '7'

expedited_income_limit

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 B.2

- name: expedited_income_limit
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Money
  unit: USD
  source: Policy 24.03 B.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: less than one hundred and ﬁfty dollars ($150) in countable monthly gross income
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '150'

expedited_liquid_resources_limit

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 B.2

- name: expedited_liquid_resources_limit
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Money
  unit: USD
  source: Policy 24.03 B.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: total liquid resources do not exceed one hundred ($100)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '100'

regular_authorization_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 C.3

- name: regular_authorization_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 C.3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: authorize SNAP by the twenty-seventh (27th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '27'

regular_benefits_in_hand_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 C.3; D.2

- name: regular_benefits_in_hand_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 C.3; D.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: beneﬁts can be in hand by the thirtieth (30th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '30'

expedited_authorization_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 C.4

- name: expedited_authorization_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 C.4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: authorize SNAP by the fourth (4th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '4'

expedited_benefits_in_hand_day

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 C.4

- name: expedited_benefits_in_hand_day
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.03 C.4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: beneﬁts can be in hand by the seventh (7th) calendar day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '7'

household_loses_expedited_entitlement

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a

- name: household_loses_expedited_entitlement
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 A.5.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              lose its entitlement to expedited service when an applicant who has been prescreened
              as expedited fails to complete the interview process within four (4) calendar days
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        household_prescreened_expedited
        and not household_completed_interview_within_expedited_window

household_meets_expedited_income_and_resource_test

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 B.2

- name: household_meets_expedited_income_and_resource_test
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 B.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              less than one hundred and ﬁfty dollars ($150) in countable monthly gross income and
              whose total liquid resources do not exceed one hundred ($100)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        household_countable_monthly_gross_income < expedited_income_limit
        and household_total_liquid_resources <= expedited_liquid_resources_limit

household_meets_expedited_shelter_cost_test

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 B.3

- name: household_meets_expedited_shelter_cost_test
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 B.3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              monthly shelter costs, together with its utilities, based upon actual costs or the
              standard utility allowances, exceed the combination of the household’s liquid
              resources and its gross income
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        household_monthly_shelter_and_utility_costs
        > household_total_liquid_resources + household_countable_monthly_gross_income

household_eligible_for_expedited_services

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 B.1-4

- name: household_eligible_for_expedited_services
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 B.1-4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Expedited procedures apply at initial application only for the ﬁrst (1st) month of the
              certiﬁcation period.
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-2
            excerpt: Migrant or seasonal farmworker households may be entitled to expedited service
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        household_is_initial_application
        and (
          household_meets_expedited_income_and_resource_test
          or household_meets_expedited_shelter_cost_test
          or household_is_migrant_or_seasonal_farmworker
        )

minimum_certification_period_months_for_late_filed_application

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 D.4: "For applications filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month, the case management system will assign at least a two (2)-month certification period."

- name: minimum_certification_period_months_for_late_filed_application
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 D.4: "For applications filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month, the case
    management system will assign at least a two (2)-month certification period."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: at least a two (2)-month certification period
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '2'

late_filing_day_of_month_threshold

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03 D.4: "For applications filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month".

- name: late_filing_day_of_month_threshold
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: 'Policy 24.03 D.4: "For applications filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month".'
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '15'

application_filed_after_fifteenth_of_month

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 D.4.

- name: application_filed_after_fifteenth_of_month
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 D.4.
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: applications filed after the fifteenth (15th) of the month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: application_filing_day_of_month > late_filing_day_of_month_threshold

minimum_certification_period_months

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 D.4.

- name: minimum_certification_period_months
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Integer
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03 D.4.
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: the case management system will assign at least a two (2)-month certification period
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: >-
        if application_filed_after_fifteenth_of_month:
        minimum_certification_period_months_for_late_filed_application else: 0

snap_action_delayed_pending_families_first_determination_prohibited

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 E.2: "Action on the SNAP portion of the application shall not be delayed, or the application denied on grounds that the FF determination has not been made."

- name: snap_action_delayed_pending_families_first_determination_prohibited
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 E.2: "Action on the SNAP portion of the application shall not be delayed, or the
    application denied on grounds that the FF determination has not been made."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Action on the SNAP portion of the application shall not be delayed, or the application
              denied on grounds that the FF determination has not been made
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: joint_snap_and_families_first_application_filed

vary_snap_benefit_for_anticipated_families_first_payment

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 E.3: "If the Eligibility Counselor can anticipate the amount and the date of receipt of FF payment but the payment will not be received until a subsequent month, the Eligibility Counselor shall vary the household's SNAP benefit level according to the FF payment and notify the household."

- name: vary_snap_benefit_for_anticipated_families_first_payment
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 E.3: "If the Eligibility Counselor can anticipate the amount and the date of
    receipt of FF payment but the payment will not be received until a subsequent month, the
    Eligibility Counselor shall vary the household's SNAP benefit level according to the FF payment
    and notify the household."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              can anticipate the amount and the date of receipt of FF payment but the payment will
              not be received until a subsequent month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        families_first_payment_amount_can_be_anticipated
        and families_first_payment_date_can_be_anticipated
        and families_first_payment_received_in_subsequent_month

families_first_payment_treated_as_change_in_circumstances

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 E.5: "If the amount or the month of receipt of the initial FF payment cannot be reasonably anticipated at the time of the SNAP eligibility determination, the payment shall be handled as a change in circumstances."

- name: families_first_payment_treated_as_change_in_circumstances
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 E.5: "If the amount or the month of receipt of the initial FF payment cannot be
    reasonably anticipated at the time of the SNAP eligibility determination, the payment shall be
    handled as a change in circumstances."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              If the amount or the month of receipt of the initial FF payment cannot be reasonably
              anticipated ... the payment shall be handled as a change in circumstances
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        not families_first_payment_amount_can_be_anticipated
        or not families_first_payment_month_of_receipt_can_be_anticipated

retroactive_portion_of_initial_families_first_payment_disregarded_as_lump_sum

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 E.4: "Portions of initial payments intended to retroactively cover a previous month shall be disregarded as a lump sum payment."

- name: retroactive_portion_of_initial_families_first_payment_disregarded_as_lump_sum
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 E.4: "Portions of initial payments intended to retroactively cover a previous month
    shall be disregarded as a lump sum payment."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Portions of initial payments intended to retroactively cover a previous month shall be
              disregarded as a lump sum payment
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: initial_families_first_payment_includes_retroactive_portion_for_previous_month

new_snap_application_required_after_families_first_denial

Derived

source: Policy 24.03 E.7: "A household whose FF application is denied shall not be required to file a new SNAP application..."

- name: new_snap_application_required_after_families_first_denial
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03 E.7: "A household whose FF application is denied shall not be required to file a
    new SNAP application..."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              A household whose FF application is denied shall not be required to file a new SNAP
              application
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: not families_first_application_denied

minimum_days_to_register_for_work

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03, K.2 ("at least ten (10) calendar days from the date of notification to register a household member for work")

- name: minimum_days_to_register_for_work
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, K.2 ("at least ten (10) calendar days from the date of notification to register a
    household member for work")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              at least ten (10) calendar days from the date of notification to register a household
              member for work
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '10'

minimum_days_to_provide_verification

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03, K.4 ("Sufficient time is at least ten (10) days from the date of the county office's initial request")

- name: minimum_days_to_provide_verification
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, K.4 ("Sufficient time is at least ten (10) days from the date of the county
    office's initial request")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              Sufficient time is at least ten (10) days from the date of the county office's initial
              request for the particular verification that was missing
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '10'

verification_documentation_deadline_hours

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03, K.6.a ("documentation is placed in the running record to note any outstanding verification within forty-eight (48) hours")

- name: verification_documentation_deadline_hours
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, K.6.a ("documentation is placed in the running record to note any outstanding
    verification within forty-eight (48) hours")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              documentation is placed in the running record to note any outstanding verification
              within forty-eight (48) hours
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '48'

county_application_processing_deadline_days

Parameter

source: Policy 24.03, J.7 ("county office failed to complete the application process by the thirtieth (30th) day")

- name: county_application_processing_deadline_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, J.7 ("county office failed to complete the application process by the thirtieth
    (30th) day")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              the county office failed to complete the application process by the thirtieth (30th)
              day
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: '30'

delay_is_fault_of_county

Derived

source: Policy 24.03, J.3, J.6, J.7

- name: delay_is_fault_of_county
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.03, J.3, J.6, J.7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              A delay shall be considered the fault of the county office if the Eligibility
              Counselor failed to take actions previously outlined in this policy
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        county_failed_to_assist_with_application
        or county_failed_to_assist_obtaining_income_verification
        or county_failed_to_give_sufficient_time
        or county_failed_to_timely_schedule_interviews
        or eligibility_counselor_failed_required_actions
        or (household_met_obligations_timely and county_failed_to_complete_by_thirtieth_day)

process_application_without_questionable_expense_verification

Derived

source: Policy 24.03, J.4 ("do not delay processing the application. Certify the household without the expense")

- name: process_application_without_questionable_expense_verification
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, J.4 ("do not delay processing the application. Certify the household without the
    expense")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              If the county office fails to assist the household as required in obtaining
              verification of questionable expenses, do not delay processing the application.
              Certify the household without the expense
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: county_failed_to_assist_obtaining_questionable_expense_verification

initial_month_benefit_prorated_from_filing_date

Derived

source: Policy 24.03, J.8 ("benefit level for the initial month of certification is based on the day of the month it filed its application")

- name: initial_month_benefit_prorated_from_filing_date
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, J.8 ("benefit level for the initial month of certification is based on the day of
    the month it filed its application")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              When the delay is the fault of the county, the household's benefit level for the
              initial month of certification is based on the day of the month it filed its
              application for benefits
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: delay_is_fault_of_county

deny_application_for_failure_to_provide_verification

Derived

source: Policy 24.03, K.7 ("the Eligibility Counselor must deny the application after the tenth (10th) day")

- name: deny_application_for_failure_to_provide_verification
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    Policy 24.03, K.7 ("the Eligibility Counselor must deny the application after the tenth (10th)
    day")
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
            excerpt: >-
              If the applicant has failed to provide the verification within ten (10) days of the
              Eligibility Counselor's request, the Eligibility Counselor must deny the application
              after the tenth (10th) day
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: parameter
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-03/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-02-01'
      formula: |-
        applicant_failed_to_provide_verification_within_required_days
        and days_since_initial_verification_request > minimum_days_to_provide_verification

person_is_snap_household_member

Derived

source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.04(A)(2)

- name: person_is_snap_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.04(A)(2)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-1
            excerpt: >-
              An individual living alone; An individual living with others, but customarily
              purchasing food and preparing meals for home consumption separate and apart from
              others; or A group of individuals who live together and customarily purchase food and
              prepare meals together for home consumption.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: >-
        person_lives_alone

        or (person_lives_with_others and person_customarily_purchases_and_prepares_meals_separately)

        or (person_lives_with_others and
        person_customarily_purchases_and_prepares_meals_together_with_group)

household_size_verification_required

Derived

source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.04(B)

- name: household_size_verification_required
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.04(B)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-1
            excerpt: Verify the HH size (number of persons in the HH), when questionable.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: household_size_is_questionable

separate_household_others_income_limit_percentage_of_poverty

Parameter

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.e.ii (165% of the poverty level)

- name: separate_household_others_income_limit_percentage_of_poverty
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Rate
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.e.ii (165% of the poverty level)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: does not exceed 165% of the poverty level
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: '1.65'

separate_household_age_threshold_child_with_parents

Parameter

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.b (Children twenty-two (22) and over)

- name: separate_household_age_threshold_child_with_parents
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.b (Children twenty-two (22) and over)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Children twenty-two (22) and over who live with their parents and purchase and prepare
              separately
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: '22'

purchase_and_prepare_meals_in_common

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 C.2

- name: purchase_and_prepare_meals_in_common
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 C.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: all persons who purchase and prepare their meals in common are treated as one HH
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_purchases_and_prepares_meals_in_common_with_others
        and not person_eligible_for_separate_household_status

sibling_not_under_parental_control_separate_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.a

- name: sibling_not_under_parental_control_separate_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.a
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Siblings (not under parental control) who live together and who purchase and prepare
              separately
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_is_sibling_living_with_other_siblings
        and not person_is_under_parental_control
        and person_purchases_and_prepares_meals_separately

child_living_with_parents_separate_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.b

- name: child_living_with_parents_separate_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.b
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Children twenty-two (22) and over who live with their parents and purchase and prepare
              separately
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_lives_with_parents
        and person_age >= separate_household_age_threshold_child_with_parents
        and person_purchases_and_prepares_meals_separately

non_parent_non_sibling_cohabitant_separate_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.c

- name: non_parent_non_sibling_cohabitant_separate_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.c
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Individuals other than parents and siblings who share living quarters with a SNAP HH,
              but who do not purchase and prepare meals with that HH
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_shares_living_quarters_with_snap_household
        and not person_is_parent_or_sibling_of_snap_household_member
        and not person_purchases_and_prepares_meals_with_snap_household

disabled_person_arranged_separate_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.d

- name: disabled_person_arranged_separate_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.d
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              A person who is disabled and unable to purchase their own food but who has arranged to
              have their food purchased and prepared separately from those with whom they live
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_is_disabled
        and person_unable_to_purchase_own_food
        and person_has_arranged_food_purchased_and_prepared_separately

elderly_and_disabled_separate_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.2.e

- name: elderly_and_disabled_separate_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.2.e
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              An elderly and disabled individual (and spouse of that individual) living with others
              when: i. the elderly and disabled individual is unable to purchase and prepare his/her
              own meals with others; and ii. the combined gross income of the others ... does not
              exceed 165% of the poverty level
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: >-
        person_is_elderly_and_disabled

        and person_lives_with_others

        and person_unable_to_purchase_and_prepare_own_meals_with_others

        and combined_gross_income_of_others_in_household <=
        separate_household_others_income_limit_percentage_of_poverty *
        federal_poverty_level_for_others_household_size

person_eligible_for_separate_household_status

Derived

source: Policy 24.04 D.1-D.2

- name: person_eligible_for_separate_household_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.04 D.1-D.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-2
            excerpt: >-
              Individuals who live together but purchase and prepare their meals separately may be
              eligible for separate HH status
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        sibling_not_under_parental_control_separate_status
        or child_living_with_parents_separate_status
        or non_parent_non_sibling_cohabitant_separate_status
        or disabled_person_arranged_separate_status
        or elderly_and_disabled_separate_status

child_living_with_parents_age_threshold

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.04, persons not eligible for separate HH status, children under twenty-two (22) living with their parents

- name: child_living_with_parents_age_threshold
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    SNAP Policy 24.04, persons not eligible for separate HH status, children under twenty-two (22)
    living with their parents
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-3
            excerpt: Children under twenty-two (22) who are living with their parents
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: '22'

child_under_parental_control_age_threshold

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.04, persons not eligible for separate HH status, children under eighteen (18) living with someone acting as a parent

- name: child_under_parental_control_age_threshold
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: >-
    SNAP Policy 24.04, persons not eligible for separate HH status, children under eighteen (18)
    living with someone acting as a parent
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Children under eighteen (18) who are living with someone acting as a parent (parental
              control)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: '18'

person_ineligible_for_separate_household_status

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.04, "Persons not eligible for separate HH status"

- name: person_ineligible_for_separate_household_status
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.04, "Persons not eligible for separate HH status"
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Persons not eligible for separate HH status: a. A spouse of a member of the HH; ... c.
              Children under twenty-two (22) who are living with their parents; ... e. Children
              under eighteen (18) who are living with someone acting as a parent (parental control).
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: >-
        person_is_spouse_of_household_member

        or (person_age < child_living_with_parents_age_threshold and person_lives_with_parent)

        or (person_age < child_under_parental_control_age_threshold and
        person_lives_with_someone_acting_as_parent)

household_must_designate_head_of_household

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.04 E.1, "Every HH must designate an individual as the head of HH for case control and issuance purposes."

- name: household_must_designate_head_of_household
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: >-
    SNAP Policy 24.04 E.1, "Every HH must designate an individual as the head of HH for case control
    and issuance purposes."
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-04/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Every HH must designate an individual as the head of HH for case control and issuance
              purposes.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: 'true'

person_qualifies_as_authorized_representative

Derived

source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.05, Section A.2

- name: person_qualifies_as_authorized_representative
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: TDHS SNAP Policy 24.05, Section A.2
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-05/page-1
            excerpt: >-
              The non-HH member must meet the following criteria: a. be an adult; b. have been
              designated in writing by the head of HH, the spouse, or another responsible HH member;
              and c. be sufficiently aware of relevant HH circumstances to act in the HH's behalf.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: |-
        person_is_non_household_member
        and person_is_adult
        and person_designated_in_writing_by_responsible_household_member
        and person_sufficiently_aware_of_household_circumstances

person_prohibited_from_serving_as_authorized_representative

Derived

source: TN SNAP Policy 24.05 F (Restrictions on Who May Be an Authorized Representative)

- name: person_prohibited_from_serving_as_authorized_representative
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: TN SNAP Policy 24.05 F (Restrictions on Who May Be an Authorized Representative)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-05/page-3
            excerpt: Do not allow the HH to designate any of the following individuals as an AR
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-03-01'
      formula: >-
        person_is_department_employee_involved_in_certification_or_issuance

        or (person_is_retailer_authorized_to_accept_snap_benefits and not
        retailer_has_specific_written_approval_and_no_one_else_available)

        or (person_is_disqualified_for_intentional_program_violation_during_disqualification_period
        and not department_determined_no_one_else_available)

        or person_is_homeless_meal_provider_serving_homeless_snap_recipient

shelter_resident_one_allotment_monthly_limit

Parameter

source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)

- name: shelter_resident_one_allotment_monthly_limit
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
            excerpt: can receive only one allotment per month
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: '1'

shelter_resident_separate_household_certification

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)

- name: shelter_resident_separate_household_certification
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_is_in_shelter_for_battered_persons_and_children
        and former_household_was_not_certified_before_member_entered_shelter
        and resident_is_otherwise_eligible

shelter_resident_monthly_allotment_cap

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)

- name: shelter_resident_monthly_allotment_cap
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(4)(c)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
            excerpt: Such residents can receive only one allotment per month
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10#shelter_resident_one_allotment_monthly_limit
            output: shelter_resident_one_allotment_monthly_limit
            hash: sha256:local
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: >-
              us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10#shelter_resident_separate_household_certification
            output: shelter_resident_separate_household_certification
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        if shelter_resident_separate_household_certification:
        shelter_resident_one_allotment_monthly_limit else: 0

expedited_processing_for_shelter_resident_application

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)(a)-(c)

- name: expedited_processing_for_shelter_resident_application
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(5)(a)-(c)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        household_resides_in_shelter_for_battered_persons_and_children
        and household_participates_as_individual_household
        and expedited_service_criteria_met

normal_processing_for_shelter_resident_application

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)

- name: normal_processing_for_shelter_resident_application
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(5)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        household_resides_in_shelter_for_battered_persons_and_children
        and not expedited_service_criteria_met

shelter_resident_group_participation_allowed

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)(b)

- name: shelter_resident_group_participation_allowed
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(5)(b)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        household_resides_in_shelter_for_battered_persons_and_children
        and shelter_does_not_meet_program_definition
        and shelter_does_not_provide_meals

separate_shelter_household_certified_on_own_income_resources

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)

- name: separate_shelter_household_certified_on_own_income_resources
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        household_resides_in_shelter_for_battered_persons_and_children
        and household_applies_as_separate_household

shelter_household_expense_deduction_considered

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)(i)

- name: shelter_household_expense_deduction_considered
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Money
  period: Month
  unit: USD
  source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)(i)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_applies_as_separate_household: expenses_for_which_household_is_responsible
        else: 0

former_household_joint_resources_inaccessible

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)(ii)

- name: former_household_joint_resources_inaccessible
  kind: derived
  entity: Asset
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(5)(f)(ii)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: resource_held_jointly_with_members_of_former_household

former_household_change_must_be_acted_on

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(6)

- name: former_household_change_must_be_acted_on
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(6)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: former_household_has_change_in_household_composition_due_to_shelter_resident_departure

household_responsible_for_reporting_own_application_changes

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(7)(a)

- name: household_responsible_for_reporting_own_application_changes
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(7)(a)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: resident_made_application_on_own_behalf

shelter_representative_must_report_changes

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(7)(b)

- name: shelter_representative_must_report_changes
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(7)(b)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: shelter_is_acting_as_authorized_representative

facility_may_act_as_point_of_sale

Derived

source: Policy 24.06(8)

- name: facility_may_act_as_point_of_sale
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Policy 24.06(8)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-10
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: participant_is_in_facility

unstable_circumstances_general_minimum_certification_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(2)

- name: unstable_circumstances_general_minimum_certification_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(2)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
            excerpt: generally no less than three (3) months
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: '3'

near_ineligibility_short_certification_minimum_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)

- name: near_ineligibility_short_certification_minimum_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
            excerpt: one (1) or two (2) month certification periods
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: '1'

near_ineligibility_short_certification_maximum_months

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)

- name: near_ineligibility_short_certification_maximum_months
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
            excerpt: one (1) or two (2) month certification periods
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: '2'

communal_dining_elderly_age_threshold

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(K)(1)

- name: communal_dining_elderly_age_threshold
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(K)(1)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
            excerpt: sixty (60) years of age or over
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: '60'

general_minimum_certification_months_for_unstable_household

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(2)

- name: general_minimum_certification_months_for_unstable_household
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(2)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: >-
              us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12#unstable_circumstances_general_minimum_certification_months
            output: unstable_circumstances_general_minimum_certification_months
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_has_unstable_circumstances:
        unstable_circumstances_general_minimum_certification_months else: 0

short_certification_period_allowed_for_near_ineligibility

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)

- name: short_certification_period_allowed_for_near_ineligibility
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: household_likely_to_become_ineligible_for_snap_benefits_in_near_future

short_certification_minimum_months_for_near_ineligibility

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)

- name: short_certification_minimum_months_for_near_ineligibility
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: >-
              us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12#near_ineligibility_short_certification_minimum_months
            output: near_ineligibility_short_certification_minimum_months
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_likely_to_become_ineligible_for_snap_benefits_in_near_future:
        near_ineligibility_short_certification_minimum_months else: 0

short_certification_maximum_months_for_near_ineligibility

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)

- name: short_certification_maximum_months_for_near_ineligibility
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Count
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(I)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: formula
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: >-
              us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12#near_ineligibility_short_certification_maximum_months
            output: near_ineligibility_short_certification_maximum_months
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        if household_likely_to_become_ineligible_for_snap_benefits_in_near_future:
        near_ineligibility_short_certification_maximum_months else: 0

communal_dining_benefit_use_allowed

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(K)(1)

- name: communal_dining_benefit_use_allowed
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(K)(1)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: predicate
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-06/page-12#communal_dining_elderly_age_threshold
            output: communal_dining_elderly_age_threshold
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        (person_age >= communal_dining_elderly_age_threshold or person_receives_ssi or
        person_is_spouse_of_eligible_elderly_or_ssi_household_member)

        and communal_dining_facility_authorized_by_fns

        and meal_prepared_especially_for_eligible_members

member_may_use_snap_benefits_for_meals_on_wheels

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(L)(1)

- name: member_may_use_snap_benefits_for_meals_on_wheels
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(L)(1)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-13
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        member_is_eligible_household_member
        and meal_delivery_service_is_non_profit_and_authorized_by_fns
        and (
          member_is_sixty_years_of_age_or_over
          or member_is_housebound
          or member_is_feeble
          or member_has_physical_disability
          or member_is_otherwise_disabled_to_extent_unable_to_adequately_prepare_all_meals
          or member_is_spouse_of_member_who_meets_meals_on_wheels_condition
        )

meal_delivery_service

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06(L)(2)

- name: meal_delivery_service
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06(L)(2)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: definition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-13
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        meal_service_is_authorized_by_fns
        and meal_service_prepares_and_delivers_meals_at_concessional_price_to_listed_people
        and (
          meal_service_is_political_subdivision
          or meal_service_is_private_non_profit_organization
          or meal_service_is_private_establishment_contracted_with_state_or_local_agency
        )

treatment_program_participant_exempt_from_work_registration

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 7

- name: treatment_program_participant_exempt_from_work_registration
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 7
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-3
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        participates_in_drug_or_alcohol_treatment_rehabilitation_program_residential
        or participates_in_drug_or_alcohol_treatment_rehabilitation_program_outpatient

treatment_program_participation_verification_may_be_required

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 8

- name: treatment_program_participation_verification_may_be_required
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 8
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-3
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: information_about_regular_participation_is_questionable

facility_qualifies_as_drug_or_alcohol_treatment_rehabilitation_program

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 11

- name: facility_qualifies_as_drug_or_alcohol_treatment_rehabilitation_program
  kind: derived
  entity: Business
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 11
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: definition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-3
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        (recognized_as_tax_exempt_organization_by_irs
        or recognized_as_nonprofit_by_tdmhsas)
        and (tdmhsas_provided_license
        or tdmhsas_issued_acknowledgment_letter_for_facility_purpose)

facility_snap_benefit_administration_requirements_met

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 4.b.ii

- name: facility_snap_benefit_administration_requirements_met
  kind: derived
  entity: Business
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 3, item 4.b.ii
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-3
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        organization_or_institution_applies_on_behalf_of_individual
        and receives_and_spends_snap_benefits_for_food_prepared_or_served_to_individual

group_living_arrangement_may_purchase_and_prepare_food_for_resident

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(1)

- name: group_living_arrangement_may_purchase_and_prepare_food_for_resident
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(1)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        resident_is_eligible_group_living_arrangement_resident

        and
        (resident_normally_obtains_meals_at_central_location_as_part_of_group_living_arrangement_services
        or meals_prepared_at_central_location_for_delivery_to_resident)

group_living_arrangement_home_consumption_benefit_use_assurance_applies

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(2)

- name: group_living_arrangement_home_consumption_benefit_use_assurance_applies
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(2)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_is_in_group_living_arrangement
        and resident_purchases_or_prepares_food_for_home_consumption

group_living_arrangement_authorized_by_state_agency

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(3)

- name: group_living_arrangement_authorized_by_state_agency
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(3)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        group_living_arrangement_authorized_by_tdmhsas
        or group_living_arrangement_authorized_by_tdoh

group_living_arrangement_need_not_be_certified_as_wholesaler_for_snap_approval

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(5)

- name: group_living_arrangement_need_not_be_certified_as_wholesaler_for_snap_approval
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(5)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: group_living_arrangement_seeks_snap_approval

group_living_arrangement_nonprofit_status_verified

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(6)

- name: group_living_arrangement_nonprofit_status_verified
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(6)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        home_is_non_profit_residence
        or contract_agency_serving_home_has_non_profit_status

resident_may_voluntarily_apply_for_snap

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(7)

- name: resident_may_voluntarily_apply_for_snap
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(7)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_is_in_group_living_arrangement
        and (resident_is_blind or resident_is_disabled)

resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_through_group_living_arrangement_ar

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(a)

- name: resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_through_group_living_arrangement_ar
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(a)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_is_in_group_living_arrangement
        and representative_is_employed_and_designated_by_group_living_arrangement

resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_on_own_behalf

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(b)

- name: resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_on_own_behalf
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(b)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: resident_is_in_group_living_arrangement

resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_through_own_choice_ar

Derived

source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(c)

- name: resident_may_apply_and_be_certified_through_own_choice_ar
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: Tennessee DHS SNAP Policy 24.06(E)(8)(c)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-6
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_is_in_group_living_arrangement
        and representative_is_of_resident_own_choice

resident_can_apply_on_own_behalf

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 9

- name: resident_can_apply_on_own_behalf
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 9
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
        - path: versions[0].effective_from
          kind: effective_period
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
            excerpt: 'Effective Date: 07/01/2019'
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        resident_has_physical_ability_to_handle_own_affairs
        and resident_has_mental_ability_to_handle_own_affairs

household_reports_changes_when_resident_applies_on_own_behalf

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(a)

- name: household_reports_changes_when_resident_applies_on_own_behalf
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(a)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
        - path: versions[0].effective_from
          kind: effective_period
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
            excerpt: 'Effective Date: 07/01/2019'
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        resident_made_application_on_own_behalf

        and
        household_reports_changes_to_county_office_in_accordance_with_snap_continued_responsibilities

group_living_arrangement_reports_household_changes_as_authorized_representative

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)

- name: group_living_arrangement_reports_household_changes_as_authorized_representative
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
        - path: versions[0].effective_from
          kind: effective_period
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
            excerpt: 'Effective Date: 07/01/2019'
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: >-
        group_living_arrangement_acts_as_authorized_representative

        and
        group_living_arrangement_notifies_county_office_of_household_income_or_circumstance_changes

group_home_notifies_county_office_when_individual_leaves

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)(i)

- name: group_home_notifies_county_office_when_individual_leaves
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)(i)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
        - path: versions[0].effective_from
          kind: effective_period
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
            excerpt: 'Effective Date: 07/01/2019'
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        individual_left_group_living_arrangement
        and group_home_notifies_county_office_individual_left

household_benefits_returned_after_household_left_group_living_arrangement

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)(ii)

- name: household_benefits_returned_after_household_left_group_living_arrangement
  kind: derived
  entity: Household
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.06, page 7, item 15(b)(ii)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
        - path: versions[0].effective_from
          kind: effective_period
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-06/page-7
            excerpt: 'Effective Date: 07/01/2019'
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2019-07-01'
      formula: |-
        household_left_group_living_arrangement
        and household_benefits_received_after_household_left_group_living_arrangement
        and group_living_arrangement_returns_household_benefits_to_county_office

parental_control_child_age_limit

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 3

- name: parental_control_child_age_limit
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Integer
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: parameter
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3
            excerpt: Children under age eighteen (18)
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: '18'

snap_trafficking_exclusion_threshold

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, excluded household member list item 5

- name: snap_trafficking_exclusion_threshold
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Money
  unit: USD
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, excluded household member list item 5
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: amount
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3
            excerpt: trafficking in SNAP benefits in the amount of $500 or more
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: '500'

child_under_parental_control_required_household_member

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 3

- name: child_under_parental_control_required_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 3
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3
            excerpt: >-
              Children under age eighteen (18) who are under the parental control of an adult
              household member
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3#parental_control_child_age_limit
            output: parental_control_child_age_limit
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: |-
        person_age < parental_control_child_age_limit
        and person_under_parental_control_of_adult_household_member

spouse_required_household_member

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 4

- name: spouse_required_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, non-household member list item 4
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3
            excerpt: A spouse of a member of the household.
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: person_is_spouse_of_household_member

excluded_household_member

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, excluded household members list

- name: excluded_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 3, excluded household members list
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: import
          import:
            target: us-tn:policies/dhs/snap/24-07/page-3#snap_trafficking_exclusion_threshold
            output: snap_trafficking_exclusion_threshold
            hash: sha256:local
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: >-
        person_is_ineligible_alien

        or person_has_questionable_citizenship

        or person_disqualified_for_failure_to_provide_or_apply_for_ssn

        or person_disqualified_for_intentional_program_violation

        or person_disqualified_for_noncompliance_with_work_requirements

        or person_disqualified_for_voluntary_quit

        or (person_convicted_of_trafficking_snap_benefits and snap_trafficking_benefits_amount >=
        snap_trafficking_exclusion_threshold)

        or person_convicted_by_court_of_trading_snap_benefits_for_controlled_substance

        or person_has_court_finding_of_trading_firearms_ammunition_or_explosives_for_snap_benefits

        or person_disqualified_for_multiple_benefits_identity_or_residence_fraud

        or (person_convicted_of_specified_serious_offense and
        conviction_occurred_after_specified_effective_date and not
        person_in_compliance_with_terms_of_sentence_or_parole)

        or person_is_fleeing_felon

        or person_is_probation_or_parole_violator

law_enforcement_status_information_request_window_days

Parameter

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, fleeing felon and probation/parole violator exception

- name: law_enforcement_status_information_request_window_days
  kind: parameter
  dtype: Count
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, fleeing felon and probation/parole violator exception
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: parameter
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
            excerpt: within thirty (30) days of the status information request
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: '30'

individual_not_fleeing_felon_due_to_no_enforcement_intent

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, fleeing felon exception

- name: individual_not_fleeing_felon_due_to_no_enforcement_intent
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, fleeing felon exception
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: exception
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: >-
        individual_has_felony_warrant

        and not
        law_enforcement_agency_intends_to_enforce_felony_warrant_within_status_information_request_window

individual_not_probation_or_parole_violator_due_to_no_arrest_intent

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, probation/parole violator exception

- name: individual_not_probation_or_parole_violator_due_to_no_arrest_intent
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, probation/parole violator exception
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: exception
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: >-
        individual_has_probation_or_parole_violation

        and not
        law_enforcement_agency_intends_to_arrest_for_probation_or_parole_violation_within_status_information_request_window

ineligible_abawd_excluded_household_member

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 11

- name: ineligible_abawd_excluded_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 11
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: individual_is_ineligible_able_bodied_adult_without_dependents

felony_drug_conviction_treatment_exception

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12(a)-(e) and (g)

- name: felony_drug_conviction_treatment_exception
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12(a)-(e) and (g)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: exception
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: |-
        individual_is_complying_with_or_has_complied_with_all_criminal_court_obligations
        and (
          individual_currently_participates_in_tdhs_approved_substance_abuse_treatment_program
          or individual_enrolled_in_tdhs_approved_substance_abuse_treatment_program_waiting_list_and_will_enter_at_first_opportunity
          or individual_satisfactorily_completed_tdhs_approved_substance_abuse_program
          or individual_determined_by_tdmhsas_not_to_need_substance_abuse_treatment
          or individual_received_substance_abuse_treatment_in_another_state_program_licensed_or_approved_by_that_state
          or individual_has_judicial_diversion_for_class_e_felony_drug_charges_and_cooperates_or_completed_probation
        )

felony_drug_exemption_unavailable_for_class_a

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12(f)

- name: felony_drug_exemption_unavailable_for_class_a
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12(f)
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: exception
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: individual_convicted_of_class_a_drug_related_felony_or_equivalent

felony_drug_offense_excluded_household_member

Derived

source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12

- name: felony_drug_offense_excluded_household_member
  kind: derived
  entity: Person
  dtype: Judgment
  period: Month
  source: SNAP Policy 24.07, page 4, item 12
  metadata:
    proof:
      atoms:
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: condition
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
            excerpt: felony drug offense which occurred after August 22, 1996
        - path: versions[0].formula
          kind: exception
          source:
            corpus_citation_path: us-tn/manual/dhs/snap/24-07/page-4
  versions:
    - effective_from: '2022-09-01'
      formula: |-
        individual_convicted_under_federal_or_state_law_of_felony_drug_offense
        and felony_drug_offense_occurred_after_cutoff_date
        and felony_drug_offense_involved_possession_use_or_distribution_of_controlled_substance
        and (
          felony_drug_exemption_unavailable_for_class_a
          or not felony_drug_conviction_treatment_exception
        )

(24-00)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 9 6. The right to ﬁle an application shall not be denied to any person even though it is apparent to the eligibility counselor that eligibility for SNAP beneﬁts does not exist. A full determination must be completed before an eligibility decision can be made. B. Assistance Groups (AG) and Households (HH) 1. SNAP beneﬁts may be provided to an individual or to a group of people. 2. The people applying for or receiving SNAP are referred to as a household (HH). 3. SNAP applicants and/or beneﬁt recipients have been abbreviated as HH (household) throughout this policy. C. Nondiscrimination 1. TDHS employees, at all administrative levels, shall not discriminate against any applicant or participant, in any program aspect, for reasons of age, race, color, sex, handicap, religious creed, national origin, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program conducted or funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 2. Discrimination in any aspect of program administration is prohibited and enforcement may be brought under any applicable federal law. 3. All TDHS employees must complete all required trainings, including but not limited to Civil Rights Law training and Interpreter Services training, at least once every state ﬁscal year. 4. County oﬃces and other sub-recipients that provide SNAP services must post the non discrimination statement (NDS) in a prominent place within its oﬃces. 5. Refer to the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement. The statement and the In Justice for All Poster will be utilized in accordance with FNS Instruction 113-1 and any additional FNS guidance and directives regarding the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement. 6. Refer to the Policy 1.04 TDHS Limited English Proﬁciency Guidelines and Policy 1.05 TDHS Reasonable Modiﬁcations. D. Filing an Applicant/Participant Complaint 1. Individuals who believe that they have been subjected to discrimination for reasons of age, race, color, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, or political beliefs, may ﬁle a program complaint of discrimination online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or submit a written complaint via mail to: United States Department of Agriculture USDA) Oﬃce of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 via fax to: (202) 690-7442; or via email at: program.intake@usda.gov

(24-00)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 9 2. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 3. TDHS staﬀ members should explain the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) complaint system to each individual who expresses an interest in ﬁling a discrimination complaint and advise the individual of his/her right to ﬁle either in the federal or the state system or in both systems. FNS Discrimination Requirements - The complaint must contain the following information in order to facilitate the investigation: a. The name, address, and telephone number or other means of contacting the person alleging discrimination; b. The location and name of the organization or oﬃce, which is accused of discriminatory practices; c. The nature of the incident or action or the aspect of program administration that led the person to allege discrimination; d. The reason for the alleged discrimination (age, race, color, etc.); e. The names and titles (if appropriate), and the addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory acts; and f. The dates, or date on which the alleged discriminatory action occurred. 4. Reference Policy 1.01 Civil Rights Complaints for the State Requirements for Discrimination Complaints in SNAP. E. Filing a Program Complaint 1. Federal Level Responsibility – Persons or agencies desiring program information or wishing to file a complaint may contact the FNS Regional Office at this address: United States Department of Agriculture Southeast Regional Office, Food and Nutrition Services 61 Forsyth Street, SW Suite 8T36 Atlanta, GA 30303-3427 2. State Level Responsibility a. TDHS will provide a fair hearing to any person or HH aggrieved by any action, which affects their eligibility, level of benefit, or participation in the Family Assistance Programs. b. TDHS will allow informal complaints. c. Persons or agencies desiring program information or wishing to file a complaint may contact any or all of the following: i. The Field Management Director of the local county office of TDHS. Telephone number and address may be found in the telephone directory for the town designated as county seat.

(24-00)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 9 ii. The One DHS Contact Center TDHS James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243 1-833-772-8347 (TDHS) (toll-free number) iii. Family Assistance Director of Operations TDHS James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243 iv. Commissioner TDHS James K. Polk Building 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, Tennessee 37243 F. Civil Rights Compliance Review and Resolution of Non-Compliance 1. Quality Control reviews are conducted to ensure county oﬃces are in compliance with Civil Rights. Staﬀ shall refer to the Language Access/Disability Access and Civil Right Review Questionnaire. 2. When noncompliance is determined, steps will be taken immediately to obtain voluntary compliance. The eﬀective date of the ﬁnding of noncompliance is the date of the written notice of noncompliance to the State agency, local agency, or other subrecipient. After a ﬁnding of noncompliance, the following action must be taken: a. Immediate written notice will be provided to the local agency or other subrecipient indicating the areas of noncompliance and the action required to correct the situation. b. Negotiation will occur with the local agency or other subrecipient to achieve compliance. c. Findings of Noncompliance in letter format on all cases where corrective action has not been completed within sixty (60) days of the ﬁnding will be submitted to the Regional Civil Rights Oﬃcer. The attached documentation will include the following: i. A brief statement of the allegations of noncompliance that can be factually supported, ii. A statement of all actions taken to achieve voluntary compliance, iii. A list of available witnesses, their addresses, and oﬃcial titles, with a brief statement of the matter about which they can testify, iv. Relevant contracts, assurances, and agreements between the State agency, local agency, and other subrecipient,

(24-00)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 9 v. List of names, titles, oﬃce mailing addresses, and oﬃce telephone numbers of parties involved, including the chief local agency or other subrecipient oﬃcial and the State administrative oﬃcial responsible for the program, vi. A report of the speciﬁc amount of assistance provided during the last three (3) ﬁscal years and the program authorities under which the assistance is extended, vii. Letters from the State agency advising the local agency or other subrecipient of failure to comply, viii. A statement of the defenses the local agency or other subrecipient may be expected to raise, and ix. Recommendation for enforcement proceeding or for permission to pursue voluntary compliance eﬀorts. 3. TDHS staﬀ will be trained annually on Civil Rights, Language Assistance Services, and Reasonable Modiﬁcations. G. Availability of Information 1. Public Information a. SNAP Policy is available for use by TDHS staﬀ and the general public. The policy is accessible via the internet at http://www.tn.gov/humanservices/topic/supplemental- nutrition-assistance-program-snap on the SNAP web page under Reports and Information. b. Copies of the SNAP Policy may be requested by public custodians, at their own expense, who: i. request the policy for use by the public; ii. are centrally located and publicly accessible to a substantial number of the recipient population; and iii. agree to accept responsibility for ﬁling all amendments and changes forwarded to them by TDHS. c. Other groups, agencies or individuals serving a substantial recipient population who wish to copy the policy, agree to ﬁle all amendments and changes forwarded to them by TDHS, and who commit themselves to using the policy for informational purposes (i.e. not attempting to determine an individual’s eligibility for assistance or determining appropriate action for TDHS) may do so at the discretion of the Commissioner or his/her designee at their own expense. d. Upon request, speciﬁc policy materials necessary for an applicant/recipient, or his/her representative, to determine whether a fair hearing should be requested, or to prepare for a hearing will be made available to the applicant/recipient, and/or his/her representative without charge. e. Copies of portions of the manual will be made available electronically to students, researchers, and other agencies upon request.

(24-00)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 9 f. Regulations, plans of operation, and federal procedures which aﬀect the public shall be maintained in the local and state oﬃces. In addition, copies of the aforementioned may be obtained by writing or contacting the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Publishing Oﬃce, Washington, D.C. 20401, or by calling toll free, (866) 512- 1800 or on the internet at http://www.gpo.gov. g. TDHS will provide other printed materials, such as brochures, pamphlets, leaﬂets, etc. that clearly describe basic ﬁnancial and nonﬁnancial eligibility criteria, the application process, and participants’ rights and responsibilities. This written information shall be made available to local Social Security oﬃces, Department of Labor and Workforce Development oﬃces, and other agencies and organizations assisting in the State Outreach Program. 2. One DHS Contact Center a. TDHS will operate a Family Assistance toll-free helpline service, which will provide the following: i. Information about program requirements and procedures; ii. Information about complaint and fair hearing procedures; iii. Completing the necessary complaint forms; iv. Telephone numbers and addresses of the local county TDHS oﬃces; and v. Application forms and informational pamphlets, upon request. b. The One DHS Contact Center number 1-833-772-8347 (TDHS) will be posted in all TDHS oﬃces, included on printed material and made available online. Supporting Documents Application for Assistance, HS-0169 (instructions) History of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements Policy 1.01 Civil Rights Complaints USDA Nondiscrimination Statement Language Access/Disability Access and Civil Rights Review Questionnaire Policy 1.04 TDHS Limited English Proﬁciency Guidelines Policy 1.05 Reasonable Modiﬁcations FNS Instruction 113-1 Online Application

(24-00)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 9 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Application or Application Form An application is a form prescribed by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and/or approved by FNS containing prescribed information which is submitted to the County Oﬃce of the TDHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, designated agent or authorized representative. For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purposes, an initial application is the ﬁrst month for which the HH applies for participation, following any period during which the HH was not certiﬁed for participation in SNAP. Applicant 1. An applicant is a person who has submitted a completed and signed document prescribed by TDHS requesting SNAP, and/or a form approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) containing at least a legible name, address and a signature to request SNAP for the HH of which he/she is a member. 2. An authorized representative or designated agent may actually ﬁle the application provided they have been authorized to do so by the head of the HH, spouse, or other responsible HH member. Authorized Representative An authorized representative is the person designated by the head of the HH, spouse, or other responsible HH member for making application for SNAP including participation in the interview. Also, an authorized representative may be an employee of a private treatment and rehabilitation program which must be certiﬁed by the designated state agency. This employee shall act in the treatment center patient’s behalf of making application for SNAP, receiving and/or spending the coupons. Complainant A complainant is an applicant or recipient, or individual acting on behalf of the applicant or recipient, who initiates expressed dissatisfaction with action taken by TDHS staﬀ in relation to assistance for which the client has applied or which he is receiving and it does not need to be on a prescribed form. Fair Hearing A procedure whereby an appeal may be made by persons whose applications are denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or who are otherwise aggrieved by the agency’s interpretation of any provision of the SNAP laws and regulations as it aﬀects their situations. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) The division of the United States Department of Agriculture which supervises the SNAP Program at the federal level. FNS Food and Nutrition Service Household (HH) A HH is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a HH. HH Household Income A recurring gain or beneﬁt measured in money amounts.

(24-01)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.01 SNAP General Administrative Procedures#

(24-01)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 6 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) General Administrative Procedures Policy 24.01 Eﬀective: December 31, 2019 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) will maintain applicant/participant case ﬁles according to State and Federal guidelines. Scope This policy was developed to provide procedures and guidelines for staﬀ to accurately maintain case ﬁles. Policy A. Management of Case Records 1. Information in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) case record must be: a. Accurate; b. Up-to-date; and c. Pertinent to eligibility. 2. All sources of information and veriﬁcation should be clearly indicated. 3. Individuals who give information are to be identiﬁed. 4. Factual information must be clearly distinguished from expressions of opinion.Eligibility is not required of a person prior to her/his ﬁling an application. B. Conﬁdentiality of Case Records 1. Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has adopted the policy of maintaining the conﬁdential nature of Family Assistance information. 2. The regulations of TDHS are aimed at:

(24-01)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP General Administrative Procedures

Policy 24.01 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 6 a. Developing a relationship of conﬁdence between all TDHS staﬀ and the Applicant/Recipient (A/R). b. Deﬁning and protecting the rights of applicants through safeguards against: i. Identiﬁcation of such individuals as a special group. ii. Exploitation of this group for commercial, personal or political purposes. iii. Making information available solely as a basis for prosecution and other proceedings at the direction of the Department’s Oﬃce of General Counsel. c. Providing a basis for recognition by the court of the right of TDHS to protect its records. d. Developing a relationship of conﬁdence between TDHS and the public at large, by protecting information made available to TDHS by representatives of the public and utilizing such information only for the purpose of the proper functioning of TDHS programs. C. Information Considered Conﬁdential In general, all personally identiﬁable information is conﬁdential, including, but not limited to the following: 1. Case records; 2. Reports of investigations and medical investigations; 3. Names and addresses of Family Assistance participants; 4. All other information known to the agency in connection with Family Assistance and other services; and/or 5. Personal information contained on applications and on various forms. D. Exceptions to Conﬁdential Information Subject to the approval of the Oﬃce of General Counsel, conﬁdential information may be disclosed under the following circumstances: 1. Information released to law enforcement oﬃcials to assist in prosecuting fraud against TDHS or child abuse, where otherwise required by federal or state law; 2. Information released to appropriate agencies assisting in collection of child support in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; 3. Information released to service providers, such as mental health professionals, providing services to abusive or neglectful parents or non-parental caretakers; 4. Information released to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) for work registration and other employment and training requirements; 5. Information released to the child’s guardian ad litem in child custody and guardianship cases; 6. Total expenditure of funds across the agency or by program;

(24-01)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP General Administrative Procedures

Policy 24.01 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 6 7. Number of recipients and other statistical information across the agency or by program; and/or 8. Social data contained in general studies. E. Applications by Department Employees, Their Relatives, or Other Individuals That May Create a Conﬂict of Interest 1. Cases involving TDHS employees, an employee’s relative, any individual that resides at same physical residence as a TDHS employee, any individual(s) with whom a TDHS employee has a close personal relationship or any individual in with which a conﬂict of interest may arise are required to be maintained in a conﬁdential caseload. a. A conﬂict of interest may arise in a situation where the employee’s personal interest or activities could inﬂuence their judgement or decisions, and therefore, their ability to act in the best interests of TDHS. b. Close personal relationships include, but are not limited to: i. Dating or co-habiting relationships; ii. Relationships in which business transactions are regularly conducted; iii. Personal friendships that transcend a casual acquaintance, such as: a person whose home is frequently visited by the employee, or vice-versa or a person with whom the employee socializes “one-on-one” on a regular basis; or iv. Individuals that reside at the same physical residence of an employee. 2. To avoid any appearance of a conﬂict of interest and ensure privacy, special handling is given to cases involving TDHS employees, their relatives and any close personal relationships with a TDHS employee who apply for and receive Family Assistance beneﬁts. • All cases involving TDHS employees, any individual that resides at same physical residence as a TDHS employee, their relatives or close personal relationships must be placed in a conﬁdential caseload to ensure the privacy and the integrity of these individuals. 3. Any TDHS employee shall remove themselves from acting on any case or issue which involves a relative, close personal relationship, or their own records. When potential conﬂicts arise, TDHS employees must immediately alert their supervisor or appropriate manager to the conﬂict of interest. • TDHS maintains a plan for limited access to these cases by other staﬀ members and the empoyee themselves. Such cases must be assigned to a special caseload number in the ACCENT system. F. Release of Information to the Applicant/Participant or their Representative 1. Federal regulations require that information in SNAP cases be made available upon written request to a responsible member of the SNAP HH; the HH’s currently authorized representative or a person acting on the HH’s behalf. Therefore, the SNAP case must be made available for inspection by authorized persons during regular business hours.

(24-01)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP General Administrative Procedures

Policy 24.01 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 6 2. If the person seeking to inspect the case is not a member of the HH, the current authorized representative, or a licensed attorney representing the HH, written authorization from the HH for the person to act on its behalf is required. 3. A staﬀ member will remain with an A/R, a claimant, or his/her representative who is reviewing a case or is making a reproduction of the material. 4. Staﬀ will make no eﬀort to interpret or explain forms, documents, or other information contained in a case folder being reviewed by an A/R or his/her representative. 5. A/R’s or their representatives are to be permitted to obtain copies of any pertinent information which they are allowed to see. 6. Upon an appellant’s or representative’s request, one copy of portions of the case relevant to the fair hearing/fraud hearing will be furnished free of charge. 7. When copying equipment is available, copies of other case record material may be furnished to an A/R, or an appellant, or an A/R’s/appellant’s representative at the charge speciﬁed at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-09-01-.05 [Access to Public Records of the Department of Human Services]. G. Release of Information to Persons Other Than the Applicant/Participant or Someone Acting on their Behalf 1. All subpoenas or requests for TDHS records by law enforcement shall be forwarded to the Department’s Oﬃce of General Counsel for response. Oﬃce of General Counsel, James K. Polk Building, 14th Floor, 505 Deaderick Street, Nashville, TN 37243,(615) 313-4731, fax (615) 532-3016 or email at DHS.PublicRecords@tn.gov. 2. All other requests for information received by TDHS or any of its divisions, such as request for list of names and addresses, should be referred through channels to the appropriate Director of the program involved. Supporting Documents Tenn. Comp. R & Regs. 1240-09-01 [Access to Public Records of the Department of Human Services] Tenn. Comp. R & Regs. 1240-01-13 [Case Record Management]

(24-01)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP General Administrative Procedures

Policy 24.01 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 6 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Entry Deﬁnition ACCENT An integrated system built to support eligibility processing for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Families First. The system allows users to collect data, determine eligibility, and perform case management. Department Tennessee Department of Human Services Personally identiﬁable information Information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity, either alone, or when combined with other personal or identifying information that is linked or linkable to a speciﬁc individual. Relative An individual who is related to staﬀ as father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, ﬁrst cousin, nephew, niece, husband, wife, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, or half-sister. Acquaintance A procedure whereby an appeal may be made by persons whose applications are denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or who are otherwise aggrieved by the agency’s interpretation of any provision of the SNAP laws and regulations as it aﬀects their situations. ACCENT Automated Client Certiﬁcation and Eligibility Network for Tennessee A/R Applicant/Recipient TDLWD Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development HH Household TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Supersedes 24.01 SNAP General Administrative Procedures, eﬀ. date 04/15/2019 Authority Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-1-105(4), Tenn. Code Ann. §71-5-304(5) 7 C.F.R. § 272.1 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-13-.01; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-13-.02 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-09-01-.05 [Access to Public Records of the Department of Human Services] Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors

(24-01)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP General Administrative Procedures

Policy 24.01 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/31/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 6 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 12/13/2019 12/31/2019 Policy Section Reorganized sections 03/21/2019 04/15/2019 Policy Section Updated deﬁnitions and acronyms 12/18/2017 01/15/2018 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 12/13/2019 12/31/2019 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 03/21/2019 04/15/2019 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 12/18/2017 01/15/2018 Current Approver:

(24-02)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.02 SNAP Application Processing#

(24-02)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 20 SNAP Application Processing Policy 24.02 Eﬀective: December 1, 2022 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall meet federal and state guidelines regarding the processing of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications from the time that a customer ﬁles an application for beneﬁts to when an eligibility determination is completed in order to ensure accurate processing. Scope The purpose of this policy is to instruct staff on the procedures required for processing SNAP applications. The policy outlines the process of when an application is filed, prescreening to identify applicants who are eligible for expedited service, the interview process, determining eligibility, certification periods, and notifying the applicant of the determination made. Policy Application Process 1. The application process for SNAP begins with a request for an application and ends with notiﬁcation of the household’s eligibility or ineligibility. 2. The household may voluntarily withdraw its application any time prior to the determination of eligibility. a. The Eligibility Counselor shall document or record the reason for the withdrawal if any, and that contact was made with the household to conﬁrm the withdrawal. b. The household shall be advised of its right to reapply at any time. 3. The household must be given an opportunity to participate no later than thirty (30) calendar days after an application is ﬁled. Expedited service shall be available to a household that meets the criteria. Beneﬁts must be provided retroactively to the day of the month the application was ﬁled for a household that has completed the application process and been determined eligible, provided that the household is eligible for beneﬁts in the month of application.

(24-02)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 20 Filing an Application 1. Applications can be ﬁled in person, by an authorized representative, by a person’s legally appointed guardian by mail, online, by fax, or other electronic transmission. 2. Applications shall be made in person at a TDHS oﬃce or online. 3. Any person inquiring about making application for SNAP and Families First (FF) shall have the right of same-day ﬁling. 4. The county shall provide an application to anyone requesting one. 5. If an application is ﬁled, the date of application shall be recorded on the application form. 6. The application ﬁle date will be the date the application is received by the county oﬃce during normal business hours either by mail, in person, by fax, or other electronic transmission. TDHS will designate the date the application was received as the next business day for applications received outside of normal business hours. 7. Online, faxed, or other electronic transmission applications that contain the applicant’s name, address, and signature are acceptable. 8. Receipt of an original application in addition to the online, faxed, or other electronic transmission application is not required. 9. The applicant shall also be advised that he/she does not have to be interviewed before ﬁling an application. For SNAP, an application will be accepted as long as the form contains the applicant’s name, address, and the signature of either a responsible member of the household or the household’s authorized representative. 10.If the household has contacted the county oﬃce by telephone but does not wish to come to the oﬃce to ﬁle the application that same day and instead prefers receiving an application through the mail, the county shall mail an application to the household on the same day the written request or telephone call is received. 11.Applications will be mailed to a SNAP household when beneﬁt renewal appointments are scheduled. a. The completed application must be returned to the county oﬃce before the customer can be interviewed to re-determine eligibility. b. If the household does not return the application and does not keep the scheduled appointment; allow the SNAP case to close automatically at the end of the certiﬁcation period. 12.If a county has designated certiﬁcation oﬃces to serve speciﬁc areas of the county, applicants may at times contact (in person or by telephone) the wrong oﬃce. If so, the wrong oﬃce must still assist the applicant as follows: a. Advise the applicant of same day ﬁling and mailing of an application. b. Give the applicant the address and telephone number of the correct or appropriate oﬃce.

(24-02)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 20 c. Oﬀer to forward the applicant’s application to the appropriate oﬃce that same day if the applicant has completed enough information on the form to submit it. 13.The applicant must be informed that the application is considered ﬁled, and the processing standards begin the date the application has been received in a county oﬃce. 14.A household cannot be denied the right to ﬁle an application. Staﬀ may refer to Multiple Application Processing for SNAP when duplicate applications are ﬁled prior to or after a household’s certiﬁcation. Prescreening The county’s application procedures shall be designed to identify applicants who are eligible for expedited service at the time they request assistance. For detailed instructions on pre-screening refer to Prescreening for Expedited Services. Scheduling Interviews TDHS must schedule an interview for all applying households who are not interviewed on the same day they submit their application. The interview must be scheduled as promptly as possible to ensure eligible households receive an opportunity to participate within thirty (30) days after the application is ﬁled or within seven (7) days if screened and eligible for expedited services. In instances where a customer applied and is interviewed the day after providing an application, a notice must be sent to the customer that will state the following: “Your scheduled phone interview was held on mm/dd/yy at hh:mm. Thank you for keeping this appointment. Since you completed your phone interview, you will not need to reschedule this appointment. If you have any questions concerning your interview or application, please call the One DHS Contact Center at 1-833-772-8347 (TDHS). If veriﬁcation(s) of your household’s details are needed, you will receive a separate notice explaining what is needed and the due date.“ The notice should also be sent with the appeal language and the yellow language insert included when sent to the household. Interview 1. The county will schedule face-to-face or out-of-oﬃce interviews as promptly as possible after the ﬁling of applications in order to ensure that eligible household receives an opportunity to participate in SNAP within thirty (30) days after the application is ﬁled. 2. An applicant/recipient has the right to request that their oﬃce interview be waived. a. A telephone interview can be oﬀered in lieu of a face-to-face interview; or b. A mutually agreed-upon site for the interview can be arranged between the county and applicant/recipient or their authorized representative. c. A telephone interview does not exempt the household from the veriﬁcation requirements. Special procedures may be used to permit the household to provide veriﬁcation and thus obtain its beneﬁts in a timely manner. These may include substituting a collateral contact in cases where documentary veriﬁcation would normally be provided.

(24-02)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 20 d. Although all interviews are scheduled as telephone interviews and Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has authorized this option, customers may request a face-to-face interview, if they chose not to be interviewed by telephone. 3. The interview provides the applicant/recipient the opportunity to: a. gain an understanding of the agency program, the beneﬁts oﬀered and the expectations of the recipient in meeting program requirements; b. clarify questions that the recipient may have about eligibility requirements; agency policies, and procedures; and c. present his/her information in his/her own words. 4. For the agency, the interview serves to: a. secure the information which the agency needs to determine eligibility; b. enhance the applicant’s understanding of the eligibility determination process and of the agency’s related policies and procedures; c. enlist the participation of the applicant and the recipient in this process; d. improve understanding of the rights and the obligations of the applicant and recipient under this process; and e. supplement the agency’s other means of communication with the applicant/recipient. 5. A face-to-face interview will be conducted with the applicant/recipient by a qualiﬁed Eligibility Counselor prior to initial certiﬁcation/approval and recertiﬁcation for SNAP, except when a face-to-face interview is not required. 6. When a household/assistance group is applying for both SNAP and Families First, a single interview may be held to fulﬁll the requirements of both programs. However, more than one interview may be required in order to clarify information provided, resolve inconsistencies, or view documents presented in support of the customer’s statements, etc. during the application or recertiﬁcation/redetermination period. 7. The interview shall be conducted as an oﬃcial and conﬁdential discussion of household circumstances. 8. The applicant’s right to privacy must be protected during the interview. 9. The person interviewed must be the head of household, spouse, any other responsible adult member of the household, or an authorized representative who is an adult and who has knowledge of the household’s circumstances. 10.If a household fails to appear for a scheduled interview after an application has been ﬁled with the county oﬃce, or prior to the date the SNAP certiﬁcation period expires, these procedures will be followed: a. If an initial application or recertiﬁcation application has been ﬁled the household must be notiﬁed in writing of the missed appointment and their responsibility to reschedule.

(24-02)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 20 b. If a recertiﬁcation application is ﬁled after the scheduled appointment, a new appointment must be scheduled with the household and a notice sent advising of the new appointment time and date. c. If the household contacts the oﬃce to reschedule, staﬀ can attempt to complete the interview during the phone call, if possible, or schedule the second appointment as soon as possible to ensure that the processing timeframes can be met. (Refer to SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards) d. If the household does not contact the oﬃce to reschedule, do not schedule a second appointment. Allow the existing certiﬁcation to expire, or for an application, deny the application at the end of the thirty (30) day period. e. If a recertiﬁcation application has been ﬁled, the application may be denied at the point the appointment was missed or may be held pending until the end of the month; the application must be denied with reason code 495 to generate a Notice of Missed Interview to the applicant to reﬂect the missed appointment and denial if the customer has not rescheduled. This notice informs the applicant that they missed the appointment and that if they want to keep receiving SNAP, they must contact the county to schedule a new appointment. General Intake Information In addition to the eligibility requirements for the SNAP Program, certain other information must be given to an applicant during the initial interview. This information is to be given orally and in writing when written information is requested or deemed appropriate. 1. The applicant is the ﬁrst source of information concerning the household’s eligibility, and it is their responsibility to provide factual information which substantiates the statements they made about eligibility factors. 2. Advise the applicant that if they are unable to secure the documentary evidence required to establish the household’s eligibility, they may request help from the Eligibility Counselor in obtaining it, and such help will be provided; 3. The Department must have substantiating information about certain factors of eligibility and will be contacting individuals and organizations in a position to know the facts of their circumstances in order to obtain this information. If there is some individual or organization the applicant speciﬁcally does not wish the Department to contact, the name of the person or organization must be entered on the HS-2940-Authorization for Release of Information Form. If it is determined that this particular person or organization is the only acceptable source for certain required information, and the applicant continues to refuse permission to contact, then his/her eligibility for assistance cannot be determined; • Discrimination because of age, race, color, sex, disability, religious creed, national origin, or political belief is unlawful. The Civil Rights pamphlet must be provided to each applicant. 4. Information about the household is held in conﬁdence with the agency.

(24-02)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 20 5. The federal Privacy Act can aﬀect the household. 6. Each individual or household has the right to a fair hearing to appeal a denial, reduction, or termination of beneﬁts or when action on the request for assistance is not taken with reasonable promptness. Information on ﬁling an appeal will be provided to the individual at the time of action. 7. It is unlawful for anyone to charge, either directly or indirectly, for help to the household in ﬁling the application with the agency. 8. TDHS has thirty (30) days (unless the household is entitled to expedited service) to determine SNAP eligibility and provide assistance with help and cooperation. 9. The household has the responsibility to provide truthful information about their circumstances, substantiating information when requested, and if they are approved for assistance, to report any change in their circumstances within ten (10) days of the date the change becomes known to the household. However, cases assigned to Simpliﬁed Reporting are not subject to regular reporting requirements. 10.Each SNAP recipient must furnish or apply for a social security number. Non-SNAP recipients are not required to furnish a social security number. 11.All members of the household who are required to register for or participate in a work program must do so. 12.Approval and payment/issuance can be made only after all eligibility requirements are met. 13.SNAP beneﬁts may be used only to purchase eligible food items. 14.If the household is approved, the head of household will receive an Electronic Beneﬁts Transfer Card (EBT) for use in purchasing food. 15.All individuals ages eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) who are applying for Families First and/or SNAP must be asked whether they were ever in state custody as a child. If the answer is yes, they should be directed to https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/youth-in- transition.html for further information regarding resources that may be available. Veriﬁcations 1. The household will be informed that this agency cannot guarantee completion of the application within thirty (30) days unless they cooperate timely by supplying requested information promptly. 2. This does not mean that the applicant/recipient has the sole responsibility for obtaining veriﬁcations. Indeed, there are instances when it is easier and faster for the Eligibility Counselor to verify needed information. For example, Clearinghouse may be used to verify Unemployment Insurance Beneﬁt information, rather than contacting Employment Security or requesting award letters from household members. It may also be quicker for the Eligibility Counselor to verify employment or earnings by calling the employer than to wait for the applicant to get a statement or copies of pay records and mail them in.

(24-02)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 20 3. The applicant will have to provide enough information for the Eligibility Counselor to assist in obtaining the necessary veriﬁcation (information necessary to use the Clearinghouse ﬁle, or the name and other information needed to contact an employer). 4. The Eligibility Counselor and applicant/recipient or the household’s authorized representative will come to a clear understanding and agreement as to what necessary information the applicant/recipient will supply and what the Eligibility Counselor will obtain. 5. The applicant/recipient must be advised to contact the Eligibility Counselor if help or additional time is needed to obtain the required information. 6. The customer/Eligibility Counselor agreement regarding the requested information must be documented, in addition to any subsequent contacts or lack of follow-up between the Eligibility Counselor and the applicant. 7. The applicant/recipient must be informed of the speciﬁc information needed and must be given suﬃcient time (at least ten days following the written request’s mail date) to provide acceptable veriﬁcation if the preferred document is not readily available. 8. Under no circumstances is a case to be denied or closed for failure to provide veriﬁcation from a particular source when another source could serve the same purpose. 9. When there is only one source of veriﬁcation for a particular item and that source is no longer available (e.g., a factory has gone out of business and there is no longer anyone who can verify wages for the past month, and the applicant has no check stubs or wage records), a statement signed and dated by the applicant may be accepted as veriﬁcation. 10.When a required veriﬁcation cannot be obtained from a third party despite the household’s and the Eligibility Counselor’s best eﬀorts, the Eligibility Counselor can accept the customer’s written or verbal declaration of the facts as a last resort. The record should be documented showing the eﬀorts that have been made and the results. 11.Please refer to Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP and Veriﬁcation for Expedited Service. Failure/Refusal to Cooperate in the Eligibility Process The distinction between refusal and failure to provide information or cooperate in the eligibility determination is often difficult to determine. 1. Refusal to cooperate exists when the household is able to cooperate but clearly refuses to take the required action. See examples below. a. Someone may fail to show up for an interview or he/she may refuse to be interviewed; or b. Someone may fail to provide required documentary evidence, or he may refuse to give the Eligibility Counselor information necessary to obtain such evidence. 2. Failure to do something is usually evident; refusal is not evident until the Eligibility Counselor has explored the situation with the applicant/recipient in an attempt to help him/her in establishing eligibility. See examples below.

(24-02)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 20 a. Refusal to provide verification or information needed to obtain required verification is sufficient ground for denial or termination. b. Failure to provide information needed to establish eligibility may result in denial or termination because we are unable to establish a necessary factor of eligibility. c. If the Eligibility Counselor is unsure whether the household has refused or merely failed to cooperate, the request for assistance will not be denied or terminated. Instead, the household will be given a reasonable opportunity to cooperate. (E.g., the household will be given at least ten (10) days to cooperate and if the household takes the required action within the application processing period cooperation has occurred.) 3. Once denied or terminated for refusal to cooperate, the household may reapply but will not be determined eligible until it cooperates with the agency. This policy applies to applications and any subsequent redetermination of eligibility, including recertification, reviews triggered by reported changes, and reviews by Quality Control (QC) staff. 4. As a condition of eligibility for SNAP, a household must cooperate with a federal or state QC reviewer in conducting a review. If cooperation does not occur the QC reviewer will advise the Eligibility Counselor of the household’s refusal to cooperate and the specific information that the household refused to provide. a. The Eligibility Counselor will provide the household with a Notice of Adverse Action (or Notice of Denial for application/recertification), citing its refusal to cooperate as the reason for termination or denial of benefits and outlining the action the household must take if it wishes to reapply and cooperate. b. If the household reapplies and wants to cooperate with the QC reviewer, the Eligibility Counselor first will refer the household to the QC supervisor. i. The QC supervisor will determine whether the review must be reopened. If the household reapplies within one hundred and fifteen (115) days from the end of the annual review period for a state review, or seven months for a federal review, it must cooperate with QC and complete the review before it may be determined eligible to receive benefits. QC will notify the county office once the household has cooperated in the completion of the review. ii. If the household reapplies after the one hundred and fifteenth (115) day timeframe for a state review or the seven-month timeframe for a federal review, it may be determined eligible without cooperating with QC. However, it must provide verification of all eligibility factors prior to approval. QC will notify the county office once it has been established that the appropriate timeframe (115 days) has passed. iii. Upon notification from QC of the household’s compliance, the Eligibility Counselor will process the application. If the application processing period extends beyond thirty (30) days because of the time necessary for the QC review, the Eligibility Counselor will follow procedures outlined in SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards for delays caused by the county.

(24-02)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 20 iv. If QC notifies the Eligibility Counselor that the household still has refused to cooperate, the application will be denied. Eligibility Determination 1. To determine eligibility, the application must be completed and signed, the applicant (or designee) must be interviewed, and the information on the application and family circumstances must be veriﬁed, as required. 2. If a determination of eligibility cannot be made at intake, the Eligibility Counselor should make a decision as to whether the applicant is eligible or ineligible for SNAP beneﬁts as soon as possible. The Eligibility Counselor must: a. Provide the customer with a written request of any veriﬁcations needed and the due date, ask the customer if any assistance is needed, and provide assistance if needed. b. Make whatever collateral contacts are necessary. c. Determine all elements of eligibility. d. Refer to Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations. e. Record information in the case management system regarding actions taken and information gathered through the oﬃce interview, home visit, collateral contacts, or other veriﬁcation at the time of action, within 48 hours or the next business day. f. Allow the customer at least ten (10) days following the day after the written request’s mail date to provide requested veriﬁcation even if this results in processing the case after the thirtieth (30th) day. g. Make a determination and approve or deny the application. h. Document the notice to the customer clearly regarding the reason for negative action if the case is denied, closed, or sanctioned or if any individual is ineligible for any period of time. i. Document the notice if the case is denied for lack of veriﬁcation to explain what veriﬁcation is needed. If the denial is prior to the thirtieth (30th) day explain that veriﬁcations may be provided by the thirtieth (30th) day with beneﬁts still prorated from the application date if eligible. j. Authorize beneﬁts if the case was denied for lack of veriﬁcation and veriﬁcations are provided by the sixtieth (60th) day if eligibility exists without requiring a new application (authorization is from the date veriﬁcations are provided if provided day 31-60). Expedited Procedures 1. Expedited procedures apply at initial application only for the first month of the certification, unless received after the fifteenth (15th) of the month then the customer may receive two (2) months as part of their initial allotment. 2. Households that reapply for SNAP during the last month of their recertification period for the following month are not entitled to expedited services at reapplication.

(24-02)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 20 3. Expedited SNAP applications for applicants applying through the fifteenth (15th) of the month, with all required verifications for ongoing eligibility and determined eligible are issued benefits for the month of application, given a normal reapplication (recertification) period, and will receive future benefits in the staggered issuance cycle. 4. Expedited SNAP applications for applicants applying through the fifteenth (15th) of the month without verifications required for ongoing eligibility, but eligible according to expedited criteria are issued benefits for the month of application and given a normal reapplication period. Issuance is set for the month of application only. Future issuances are withheld pending required verification. a. When verifications are provided before cut-off in the month of application and the case continues to be eligible, the second month’s issuance occurs in the staggered cycle. b. When the verification is provided after the cut-off, the second month’s issuance occurs in the first daily batch after the verification is entered. 5. Expedited SNAP applications for applicants applying after the fifteenth (15th) of the month, with or without all the verifications required for ongoing benefits are issued benefits for the prorated application month and the first recurring month at the same time. The case is given a normal issuance cycle. a. Applicants that provide all the required verifications prior to the cut-off of the second month, the third month’s benefits (recurring) will occur in the staggered issuance cycle. b. For applicants that are interviewed and provide all the required verifications after the cut off of the second month, the third month’s benefits will be issued on the first working day of the third month. c. For applicants that have an outstanding SNAP claim and recoupment is appropriate, recoupment will begin the first full month’s benefits of the month-and-a-half issuance. Refer to Section M. Certification Periods below for special postponed verification procedures. d. When receipt of the verification is postponed from sources within the state for migrant households follow procedures in item three (3) above. e. When the verification is postponed from out-of-state sources for migrant households: i. issue their prorated initial month’s benefits within the expedited timeframe; ii. issue their second month’s benefits on the actual first working day of the second calendar month; and iii. issue their third month’s benefits within five working days from the receipt of the postponed out-of-state verification, or on the first actual working day of the third month, whichever is later. 6. For households entitled to expedited service, the county office will determine eligibility timely enough for the household to receive the benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day following the application date.

(24-02)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 20 7. Expedited service timeliness standards do not begin until the household files an application. 8. If the household does not have an EBT card, the application would need to be completed on or before the fourth (4th) calendar day to ensure that the card and benefits would be received by the seventh (7th) calendar day. 9. When a pre-screener fails to identify a household as eligible for expedited service, and the Eligibility Counselor subsequently discovers that the household is entitled to expedited service, the household must receive benefits on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day from the date of discovery. 10.There is no limit to the number of times a household may be certified under the expedited procedures, as long as prior to each expedited approval, the household either a. completes the verification requirements that were postponed for the expedited approval; or b. was certified under normal processing standards since the last expedited approval. Authorizing Action to be Taken Based on Eligibility 1. Households found eligible after consideration of the non-financial criteria found in SNAP Policy 24.10 Residency Requirements and SNAP Policy 24.16 Voluntary Quit, should have their countable income compared to the monthly income eligibility standards for the appropriate household size to determine if the household is eligible based on financial criteria. 2. Households, which do not contain a member who is elderly or disabled, are subject to a gross income limit of one hundred thirty (130) percent of the poverty level income standard. 3. To determine this limit, nonexempt gross income will be added together, and this sum must be compared to the eligibility limit for the appropriate household size. a. If the monthly income exceeds the amount for the appropriate household size, the household is ineligible. b. If the monthly income is less than or equal to the gross income limit, normal procedures allowing deductions will be followed and then the net income must be subject to the net monthly income guidelines. Guidelines for the gross and net monthly income standards are given in Policy 24.14 SNAP Income. 4. To determine the household’s monthly benefits, the Eligibility Counselor may refer to Income and Budgeting Procedures. No benefits of under ten dollars ($10.00) will be issued for the initial prorated month. 5. The amount of the household’s benefits for the initial month of certification will be based on the day of the month it applies for the benefits. The following procedures will be used to determine the amount of initial benefits: a. A household’s benefit level for the initial month of certification will be based on the day of the month it applies for benefits. Using the calendar month, households will receive benefits prorated from the day of application to the end of the month.

(24-02)(page-12)Page 12#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 20 b. The proration of the household’s initial month’s benefits will be done by the case management system. However, if the Eligibility Counselor does need to prorate benefits please reference Prorating SNAP Benefits or the proration calculator. 6. If an application for recertification is not received until after the certification period has expired, benefits for the initial month will be prorated. However, for verification purposes, it should be treated as a renewal when filed within thirty (30) days of expiration. 7. Eligible households which are entitled to no benefits shall be denied participation, on the ground that their net income exceeds the level below which benefits are issued. a. The certification period will begin with the month of application for eligible households, which are not entitled to benefits because the initial proration is less than ten dollars ($10.00) but will be entitled to benefits in subsequent months. b. If a household is claiming actual utility expenses in excess of the Department’s utility standard and the expense would actually result in a deduction, the expense must be verified. c. If the actual utility expenses cannot be verified before the thirty (30) days allowed to process the application expire, the Eligibility Counselor shall use the standard. d. If the household wishes to claim expenses for an unoccupied home, the Eligibility Counselor shall verify the actual expenses for the unoccupied home in every case and shall not use the standard utility allowance. e. If a deductible expense must be verified, and obtaining the verification may delay the SNAP certification, the Eligibility Counselor shall advise the household that the eligibility and benefit level may be determined without providing a deduction for the claimed, but unverified, expense. This shall also apply to the allowance of medical expenses and dependent care costs. f. If the expense cannot be verified within thirty (30) days of the date of application, the Eligibility Counselor shall determine the eligibility and benefit level without providing a deduction for the unverified expense. g. If the household subsequently provides the missing verification, the Eligibility Counselor shall determine the benefits and provide increased benefits, if any, in reported changes. The household shall be entitled to the restoration as a result of the disallowance of the processing standard because the Eligibility Counselor failed to allow the household sufficient time to verify the expense. h. If the household would be ineligible unless the expense is allowed, the application shall be handled as provided in SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards. Disposition of Application An application continues in the application stage until action is taken. This action consists of: 1. Approval of application;

(24-02)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 20 2. Denial or rejection of application due to death, withdrawal of application, loss of contact, failure to provide or obtain information necessary to determine eligibility or ineligibility based on program regulations; or 3. Pending of application due to county caused delay SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards. Certiﬁcation Periods 1. Deﬁnite periods of time are established within which a household shall be eligible to receive beneﬁts. 2. At the expiration of each certiﬁcation period, entitlement to SNAP beneﬁts ends. 3. Beneﬁts shall not be continued beyond the end of a certiﬁcation period without a new application and a determination of eligibility, even if the household has requested a fair hearing of an adverse action. 4. SNAP certiﬁcation periods shall conform to calendar months. a. The month of application shall generally be the ﬁrst month of the certiﬁcation period for initial applications if the household is eligible for beneﬁts the month of application even if the beneﬁts prorate to zero and even if the household’s eligibility is determined in a subsequent month. • A partial month’s beneﬁt is considered a month even if the beneﬁts prorate to zero. b. Upon recertiﬁcation, the certiﬁcation period will begin with the month following the last month of the previous certiﬁcation period. 5. As a result of anticipated changes, the household’s level of beneﬁts for the month of application may diﬀer from its entitlement in subsequent months. 6. The household’s allotment will vary from month to month within the certiﬁcation period to reﬂect changes anticipated at the time of certiﬁcation unless the household elects the averaging techniques in Income and Budgeting Procedures. 7. Households shall be assigned the longest certiﬁcation periods possible based on the predictability of the household’s circumstances. The acceptable certiﬁcation periods for an eligible household are six (6) months or less depending on the circumstances. A twenty-four (24) month certiﬁcation can be approved for households where all adult members are elderly or disabled, with no earned income, and the household is not receiving or applying for Families First. a. Cases certiﬁed at least four (4) months can be considered simpliﬁed reporting households unless self-employment is the only earned income in the case. b. Households that are eligible and are certiﬁed for twenty-four (24) months will be required to submit HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report at the twelfth (12th) month. The household will be sent their HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report in the tenth (10th) month of their certiﬁcation period to be due on the ﬁrst of the twelfth (12th) month. The household must complete the form with a signature and return it by the due date to continue to receive beneﬁts after the twelfth (12th) month. See 24 Month Certification for further details.

(24-02)(page-14)Page 14#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 14 of 20 c. Households that would not qualify for twenty-four (24) months can be certiﬁed for six (6) months unless the Eligibility Counselor determines that a shorter certiﬁcation is warranted based on the household’s circumstances. 8. Cases certiﬁed one (1) to three (3) months are considered Change Reporting (or Non- Simpliﬁed Reporting) cases and must report all required changes within ten (10) days. 9. Households that have Self-Employment Income as the only earnings may be certiﬁed for six (6) months. They are considered Change Reporting cases and must report all required changes within ten (10) days. 10.Change reporting households are required to report the following changes within ten (10) days of the date the change becomes known to the household; a. Change in the source or amount of gross monthly unearned income of more than $125, except changes in Families First b. Changes in earned income when there is a change in the source, hourly rate or salary, or employment status c. Changes in resources (amount of assets) that exceed the allowable limit d. Acquiring a licensed vehicle that is not fully excludable e. Changes in household composition f. Changes in residence g. Changes in legally obligated child support being paid h. When an employed ABAWD household member’s work falls below an average of twenty (20) hours per week or an average of eighty (80) hours per month i. If any member of the household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings as deﬁned in Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings 11.Simpliﬁed reporting cases are only required to report the following changes prior to their recertiﬁcation; a. if their income goes over the gross income limit of the household size that existed at the time of its most recent certiﬁcation or recertiﬁcation; or b. if an employed Abled Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) member’s hours go below an average of twenty (20) per week/averaged monthly or eighty (80) per month- if their employment is what was exempting them from the ABAWD time limit; or c. if any member of the household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings as deﬁned in Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings. 12.If an active SNAP household applies for another program during the certiﬁcation period, the SNAP case shall be recertiﬁed (if all information necessary is provided) at that time. a. The Eligibility Counselor would give the household a ﬁve (5) month certiﬁcation period at renewal.

(24-02)(page-15)Page 15#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 15 of 20 b. Any reported changes must be acted upon during the certiﬁcation. 13.If a household’s circumstances warrant them not being placed in SR the household loses the reporting criteria for SR. 14.If a household no longer qualiﬁes as an SR case during the certiﬁcation period, the household will retain the SR status through the certiﬁcation period. 15.If an expedited household postpones submission of veriﬁcations, assign the household a certiﬁcation period using the following options: a. Certify the household only for the month of application, unless the application was ﬁled after the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the month; When the household applies after the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the month, certify the household for at least two (2) months (month of application and the following month); or b. Assign a normal certiﬁcation period when the household’s circumstances would otherwise warrant it. Do not issue beneﬁts other than the initial expedited issuance until after all postponed veriﬁcation is provided. 16.When receipt of veriﬁcation is postponed in a case that is expedited, provide the household with a notice indicating the following: a. Beneﬁts have been approved however, veriﬁcation must be provided, or no further beneﬁts will be issued; b. If veriﬁcation is postponed, what veriﬁcation is needed, and that no further beneﬁts will be issued until the postponed veriﬁcation is provided; c. That in cases where the household has been assigned a certiﬁcation period longer than one month, the household has thirty (30) days from the application date to provide the postponed veriﬁcation; and d. That if the veriﬁcation results in a change in the household’s eligibility or beneﬁt amount, the change will be made without advance notice of adverse action. 17.If a household has a one-time medical expense that could be prorated over the certiﬁcation period, staﬀ must allow the household one of the following options based on their certiﬁcation. a. For households certiﬁed for six (6) months shall have the option to; i. Deduct the expense in the ﬁrst month of the certiﬁcation period, or ii. Average the expense over six (6)months of the certiﬁcation period. b. For households that qualify and are certiﬁed for twenty-four (24) months have the option to: i. Deduct the expense in the ﬁrst month of the certiﬁcation period, ii. Average the expense over the ﬁrst 12 (twelve) months of the certiﬁcation period, or iii. Average the expense over the entire twenty-four (24) month certiﬁcation period.

(24-02)(page-16)Page 16#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 16 of 20 c. Households that qualify and are certiﬁed for twenty-four (24) months that report a one time medical expense during the certiﬁcation have the following options; i. One-time medical expenses reported in the ﬁrst twelve (12) months of certiﬁcation, the household will have the option to; a) deducting the medical expense for one month, b) averaging the medical expense over the remainder of the ﬁrst twelve (12) months of the certiﬁcation period, or c) averaging the medical expense over the remaining months in the certiﬁcation period. ii. One-time medical expenses reported after the twelfth (12th) month of the certiﬁcation period can be deducted in one month or averaged over the remaining months of the certiﬁcation period, at the household’s option. d. Refer to Consideration of a One-Time Medical Expense for examples. Approval or Denial of Application 1. If it is determined that the applicant is eligible for assistance, the Eligibility Counselor shall: a. Record documentation information in the case management system b. Complete and authorize the case. 2. In some instances, it will be obvious during the intake interview that an applicant is ineligible. When this occurs the Eligibility Counselor should explain the reason for denial to the applicant, document the case, and then authorize the denial. 3. If it is determined late in the process that the applicant is ineligible for assistance, the Eligibility Counselor shall complete the necessary screens in the case management system, document in case notes, and authorize the denial. 4. When an application for initial beneﬁts has been ﬁled and the eligibility interview is not completed as required, the agency must notify the household in writing of the missed interview and that it is the customer’s responsibility to reschedule. If the customer has not rescheduled, the application shall be denied on the thirtieth (30th) day (next business day if the thirtieth (30th) day falls on a weekend or holiday). 5. When an application has been mailed to the county oﬃce for a renewal appointment and the customer does not keep the appointment; a. Enter the application in the case management system with the sign date being the date the application was received if the application is received within the month of the appointment. b. If the application is received prior to the ﬁrst day of the last month of eligibility, the sign date should be the ﬁrst day of the last month of eligibility.

(24-02)(page-17)Page 17#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 17 of 20 c. If the application is not received, the application may be denied at the point the appointment was missed or may be held pending until the end of the month or for thirty (30) days. d. If the household does not contact the county during the pending period, authorize the denial. e. Deny the application with code 495 to generate a notice of missed interview informing the customer that the appointment was missed and that the appointment must be rescheduled if SNAP beneﬁts are wanted. Applicant Notiﬁcation 1. Every applicant found eligible to participate in SNAP shall be provided with a written notice of eligibility as soon as a determination is made but no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the initial application. Refer to SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards for information on the thirty (30) day processing standard and notices of eligibility. 2. Each household that is denied eligibility based on either ﬁnancial or non-ﬁnancial criteria shall be provided with a written notice of denial. Refer to SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards for additional information regarding the notice of denial and its contents. 3. If an eligibility determination cannot be made within the thirty (30) day processing standard, the Eligibility Counselor shall determine if the county or the household caused the delay. Speciﬁc actions must be taken depending on whether the county or the household caused the delay. Refer to SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards for criteria to be used to determine the cause for the delay, and actions that should be taken.

(24-02)(page-18)Page 18#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 18 of 20 Supporting Documents HS-2940-Authorization for Release of Information HS-3412 Mid-Certification Report (English) Instructions HS-3412sp Mid-Certification Report (Spanish) Instructions HS-3412a Mid-Certification Report (Arabic) Instructions HS-3412s Mid-Certification Report (Somali) Instructions 24 Month Certification Prescreening for Expedited Services Multiple Application Processing for SNAP Reporting Requirements and Act on All Changes SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards Consideration of a One-Time Medical Expense https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/youth-in-transition.html SNAP Policy 24.10 Residency Requirements SNAP Policy 24.16 Voluntary Quit Policy 24.14 SNAP Income Income and Budgeting Procedures Prorating SNAP Benefits proration calculator HS-2822 Who May Be Eligible for Food Stamps Application Processing Guide Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide Expedited Processing Expedited Worksheet Income Calculator SNAP (FS) Monthly Budget Sheet What Can I Purchase?

(24-02)(page-19)Page 19#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 19 of 20 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Applicant An applicant is a person who has submitted a completed and signed document prescribed by TDHS, and/or a form approved by FNS containing at least a legible name, address, and a signature to request SNAP for the household of which he/she is a member. An authorized representative may actually ﬁle the application provided they have been authorized to do so by the head of the household, spouse, or other responsible household member. Application An application is a form prescribed by TDHS and/or approved by FNS containing prescribed information, which is submitted electronically, by mail, or in-person to the County Oﬃce of the TDHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, or authorized representative. Certiﬁcation Period A certiﬁcation period is an assigned period of time during which a household is eligible and certiﬁed to receive SNAP beneﬁts. Change Reporting Cases Households certiﬁed less than four (4) months or households whose only income is from self-employment. FF Families First FNS Food and Nutrition Service Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a household. Income A recurring gain or beneﬁt measured in money amounts. Initial Application An initial application is the ﬁrst month for which the household applies for participation, following any period during which the household was not certiﬁed for participation in SNAP. Initial Month The ﬁrst month for which an allotment is issued to a household or the ﬁrst month for which the household is certiﬁed for participation in SNAP following any period during which the household is certiﬁed for participation. QC Quality Control Resident A household living in the state in which it ﬁles an application for participation. Simpliﬁed Reporting Cases Cases certiﬁed at least four (4) months other than cases with only self-employment income are considered simpliﬁed reporting cases. SR Simpliﬁed reporting Substantial lottery or gambling winnings Substantial lottery or gambling winnings a cash prize, before taxes or withholdings, that matches the SNAP resource limit for elderly or disabled households listed in the Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings Guidelines document. The limit is adjusted annually. Supersedes Policy 24.02 SNAP Application Processing, eﬀ. date 09/01/2022

(24-02)(page-20)Page 20#

Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 20 of 20 Authority 7 C.F.R. §§ 273.2, 273.10(2) Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 71-5-304, 71-5-305 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-14-.04, 1240-1-14-.05, 1240-1-14-.06, 1240-1-14-.09, 1240-1-14-.11 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 7/8/2025 7/9/2025 Scheduling Interviews Updated FASC Contact information to One DHS Contact Center. 11/28/2022 12/01/2022 Policy Section, Supporting Documents, and Deﬁnitions Certiﬁcation Periods section, updated to 6 month certiﬁcations, no longer doing 12 month certiﬁcations. Supporting documents added. New deﬁnition added: Change Reporting Cases. 07/29/2022 09/01/2022 Section D New section detailing scheduling interviews, updated links, added new supporting documents 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Section F and H Change to 10-day count. Also added correct policy links for income and budgeting 11/22/2019 11/26/2019 Section E and Collateral Documents Updates to links, added collateral documents 09/17/2019 09/23/2019 Section B and L Removed item 14 which indicated how to process application for another county when received in a diﬀerent county in section B, added verbiage for 24 months certs and updated SR information in section L 02/14/2018 20/15/2018 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 11/28/2022 12/01/2022 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 07/29/2022 09/01/2022 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Danielle Anita Barnes Commissioner 11/22/2019 11/26/2019 Danielle Anita Barnes Commissioner 09/17/2019 09/23/2019 Danielle Anita Barnes Commissioner 02/14/2018 02/15/2018 Current Approver

(24-03)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.03 SNAP Timeliness Standards#

(24-03)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 10 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Timeliness Standards Policy 24.03 Eﬀective: February 1, 2022 Introduction TDHS employees shall follow instructional steps for processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications by the fourth (4th), seventh (7th), ﬁfteenth (15th), or thirtieth (30th) calendar day from the application date depending on whether the application is expedited or not. Scope To provide standards for the delivery of service and/or notification of action taken on an application and to address certain situations, which may occur because of various applicant/participant, or county caused delays and the type of action that should be taken when this happens. Policy A. Processing Standards 1. The process of determining eligibility for SNAP shall proceed as promptly as possible after an application is ﬁled. 2. The standard of promptness for determining eligibility for SNAP is seven (7) calendar days for expedited applications and thirty (30) calendar days for regular applications. 3. In the case of expedited applications, the county oﬃce will determine eligibility timely enough for the household to receive the beneﬁts on or before the seventh (7th) calendar day following the application date. 4. If a household does not have an Electronic Beneﬁt Card (EBT) then the application would need to be completed in time for a card to be issued prior to beneﬁts being released. 5. In the case of expedited beneﬁts that would mean that the application should be processed on or before the fourth (4th) calendar day to ensure that the card and beneﬁts would be received by the seventh (7th) calendar day.

(24-03)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 10 a. The household will lose its entitlement to expedited service when an applicant who has been prescreened as expedited fails to complete the interview process within four (4) calendar days of the application date. The household’s application will be processed under the normal timeliness standards of thirty (30) calendar days. b. Staﬀ shall refer to Expedited Households that Miss Their First Interview on the procedures detailing how to treat households that are prescreened expedited, scheduled an appointment, and miss their ﬁrst interview. 6. When the pre-screener (Refer to Prescreening for Expedited Services) fails to identify a household as eligible for expedited service, and the Eligibility Counselor subsequently discovers that the household is entitled to expedited service, the household must receive beneﬁts on or before the seventh (7th) day following the date of discovery. B. Households Eligible for Expedited Services 1. Expedited procedures apply at initial application only for the ﬁrst (1st) month of the certiﬁcation period. Households that reapply for SNAP during the last month of their certiﬁcation period for the following month are not entitled to expedited services at reapplication. 2. Households with less than one hundred and ﬁfty dollars ($150) in countable monthly gross income and whose total liquid resources do not exceed one hundred ($100). 3. Eligible households, whose monthly shelter costs, together with its utilities, based upon actual costs or the standard utility allowances, exceed the combination of the household’s liquid resources and its gross income for the month that is countable under SNAP rules. 4. Migrant or seasonal farmworker households may be entitled to expedited service and special income calculation procedures due to little or no income and may need immediate food assistance. Staﬀ shall refer to Policy 24.21 SNAP Destitute Households or Seasonal Farmworkers. C. Opportunity to Participate 1. An opportunity to participate in SNAP consists of providing households with an EBT card and having a PIN number available for the household to obtain its allotment. 2. The card and PIN should reach the participant so that the household will have an opportunity to participate within the appropriate timeframe based on the type of application. See the Application Timeliness Tracking Guide for more information. 3. If the case is a regular application and the individual does not have an EBT card, authorize SNAP by the twenty-seventh (27th) calendar day so beneﬁts can be in hand by the thirtieth (30th) calendar day. 4. If the case is processed as an expedited case, authorize SNAP by the fourth (4th) calendar day so beneﬁts can be in hand by the seventh (7th) calendar day. D. Normal Certiﬁcation Periods 1. The process of determining eligibility for SNAP shall proceed as promptly as possible after an application is ﬁled. The standard of promptness for determining eligibility for SNAP is thirty (30) calendar days for regular applications. 2. Non-expedited cases that are eligible for beneﬁts and complete the required process should receive beneﬁts by the thirtieth (30th) calendar day.

(24-03)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 10 3. Assign normal certiﬁcation period to households that have been interviewed and have provided all necessary veriﬁcation required in Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations and the supporting document Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP, prior to certiﬁcation. 4. For applications ﬁled after the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the month, the case management system will assign at least a two (2)-month certiﬁcation period. E. Action When SNAP Determination Precedes Families First Determination 1. As a result of diﬀerences in SNAP and Families First (FF) application processing procedures, the Eligibility Counselor may have to determine the SNAP eligibility prior to determining eligibility for FF payments. 2. Action on the SNAP portion of the application shall not be delayed, or the application denied on grounds that the FF determination has not been made. 3. If the Eligibility Counselor can anticipate the amount and the date of receipt of FF payment but the payment will not be received until a subsequent month, the Eligibility Counselor shall vary the household’s SNAP beneﬁt level according to the FF payment and notify the household. 4. Portions of initial payments intended to retroactively cover a previous month shall be disregarded as a lump sum payment. 5. If the amount or the month of receipt of the initial FF payment cannot be reasonably anticipated at the time of the SNAP eligibility determination, the payment shall be handled as a change in circumstances. 6. When the SNAP beneﬁts are authorized, an approval notice will automatically be sent to inform the household. 7. A household whose FF application is denied shall not be required to ﬁle a new SNAP application but shall have their SNAP eligibility determined or continued on the basis of the original application ﬁled jointly for FF and SNAP purposes and any other documented information obtained subsequent to the application which may have been used in the FF determination and which is relevant to SNAP eligibility or level of beneﬁts. F. Notices of Eligibility for Initial Applications 1. Time Limit for Providing Notice of Eligibility The Eligibility Counselor will provide applicants with an approval or denial notice through the case management system as soon as possible once a determination is made. 2. Contents of Notice a. Approval notices are created and mailed the day following authorization. b. The notice will inform the household of the amount of the beneﬁts and of the variation in the beneﬁt level based on changes anticipated at the time of approval. c. If the initial allotment contains beneﬁts for both the month of application and the current month's beneﬁts, the notice shall explain that the initial beneﬁts include more than one month’s beneﬁts. d. It also will indicate the monthly allotment amount for the remainder of the eligibility period assigned. e. The notice will inform the household of the beginning and ending date of the SNAP certiﬁcation period.

(24-03)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 10 f. The notice will advise the household of its right to a fair hearing and of the name and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information, as well as the availability of free legal advice and how to obtain it. Staﬀ should refer to the SNAP Notice Language Desk Guide for assistance in selecting the notice comments and appropriate reason code. G. Notice of Eligibility for Expedited Applications 1. Expedited Applications a. In cases where a household’s application is approved on an expedited basis without veriﬁcation, and the application indicates the household is eligible for prorated beneﬁts the approval notice will explain that the household must meet veriﬁcation requirements that were postponed before further beneﬁts will be issued. b. If the Eligibility Counselor assigns a longer certiﬁcation period because approval was made after the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the month to some households certiﬁed on an expedited basis, the notice also will explain the special conditions of the longer certiﬁcation period and the consequences of failure to provide the postponed veriﬁcation. 2. Recertiﬁcation a. Households that have ﬁled an application by the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the last month of their certiﬁcation period and who have kept their scheduled interview appointment on or after their application should be issued a notice regarding eligibility or ineligibility by the end of the current certiﬁcation period if they are eligible. b. Households that have submitted an application, that miss their interview appointment, and have not rescheduled should be denied with reason code 495 on the last day of their certiﬁcation month or at the time of missed interview. A denial for failure to provide veriﬁcation cannot be authorized until the applicant has had at least ten (10) calendar days from the day following the mail date of the written request to provide. c. Applications ﬁled after the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the month are subject to initial application timeliness standards. The Eligibility Counselor will provide households that have received a notice of expiration at the time of certiﬁcation and have timely reapplied with a notice of eligibility or a notice of denial not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the date the household received its last allotment. d. Quality Control Reviewers will cite review timeliness errors any time a customer completes an application by the last day of their review month and does not receive beneﬁts, if eligible, by their normal issuance date the next month. e. In addition, federal regulations state notice of missed interview and denial both can be sent the day they miss the interview, the end of certiﬁcation month, or by the thirtieth (30th) day. H. Denial Notices 1. Ineligible SNAP households Each household denied eligibility shall be provided a notice of denial which explains: a. the basis for the denial, including speciﬁc rule number used as the basis of denial;

(24-03)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 10 b. must explain the applicant’s right to provide veriﬁcation by the thirtieth (30th) day with beneﬁts provided from the application date, if eligible; c. the household’s right to request a fair hearing; d. the telephone number of the TDHS oﬃce; e. the name of the person to contact for additional information; f. the availability and telephone number of the organization in their area that provides free legal representation; and g. the right to reapply anytime. 2. Applicant/Recipient (A/R) fails to keep an appointment a. if an applicant has failed to appear for the initial interview, a “Notice of Missed Interview” (NOMI) will be sent by the Eligibility Counselor to notify the household that it missed the ﬁrst appointment. b. the notice also will inform the applicant that they must contact the county oﬃce and schedule a second appointment within the processing timeframe, or the application will be denied. c. the application will be held pending for thirty (30) days. d. if the applicant does not schedule a second interview appointment, or if the applicant fails to appear for this second appointment after requesting it, deny the SNAP application on the thirtieth (30th) day or the next business day if the thirtieth (30th) day falls on a non-business day. For additional information please see the SNAP Application Processing Guide. I. Time Limit for Providing Notice of Denial 1. Households that are found to be ineligible shall be sent a notice of denial as soon as possible. 2. The action to deny should be taken by the thirtieth (30th) day whenever policy allows. 3. Information obtained and veriﬁed during the intake interview in some instances is suﬃcient for the intake Eligibility Counselor to determine that the applicant is ineligible at intake and, therefore, the application can be denied at that point. 4. A denial action for not completing an initial interview cannot be taken until the thirtieth (30th) day or next working day if the thirtieth (30th) day is a non-business day. 5. A denial action for failure to provide veriﬁcation cannot be taken until after the applicant has had ten (10) days following the mail date of the written request to provide veriﬁcations. If the tenth (10th) day is a non-business day, give the client until the next working day to provide veriﬁcations). J. Failure to Meet Timeliness Standard 1. If the Eligibility Counselor cannot make an eligibility determination within the thirty (30) days and cannot deny the household, the cause of the delay is determined, and certain actions are taken to determine whether the delay was caused by the fault of the household or the county oﬃce. 2. The delay shall be considered the fault of the household if the household has failed to complete the application process when the Eligibility Counselor has taken all the action he or she is required to take to assist the household.

(24-03)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 10 3. If the county oﬃce fails to assist the household, as required, in completing the application form or in obtaining documentary evidence to support its income or questionable information, fails to give the household suﬃcient time, or fails to timely schedule the required interviews, the fault is then the county’s. 4. If the county oﬃce fails to assist the household as required in obtaining veriﬁcation of questionable expenses, do not delay processing the application. Certify the household without the expense and restore any lost beneﬁts to the household upon receipt of the required information, if appropriate. 5. The Eligibility Counselor must have taken the action as previously outlined in this policy before a delay can be considered the fault of the household. 6. A delay shall be considered the fault of the county oﬃce if the Eligibility Counselor failed to take actions previously outlined in this policy. 7. The fault is the county oﬃce’s if the household met its obligations in a timely manner, but the county oﬃce failed to complete the application process by the thirtieth (30th) day. 8. When the delay is the fault of the county, the household’s beneﬁt level for the initial month of certiﬁcation is based on the day of the month it ﬁled its application for beneﬁts. K. County Office Requirements 1. The Eligibility Counselor must offer, or attempt to offer, assistance in completion of the application for those households that have failed to complete the application form. 2. The Eligibility Counselor must have informed the household of the need to register for work, and given the household at least ten (10) calendar days from the date of notification to register a household member for work, if one or more members of the household have failed to register as required in Policy 24.11 SNAP Work Requirements. 3. The Eligibility Counselor must have assisted the household when necessary for the household to provide documentary evidence to support its income statement and questionable information. 4. The Eligibility Counselor must have allowed the household sufficient time prior to the thirtieth (30th) day of the application to provide the missing verification. Sufficient time is at least ten (10) days from the date of the county office’s initial request for the particular verification that was missing. 5. The Eligibility Counselor will give the household a written list of the information needed and the due date to provide the missing information, both verbally and in writing. 6. The Eligibility Counselor is then responsible to ensure that: a. documentation is placed in the running record to note any outstanding verification within forty-eight (48) hours, b. a written request is provided to the applicant, and c. assistance is offered in obtaining verification, if requested. 7. If the applicant has failed to provide the verification within ten (10) days of the Eligibility Counselor’s request, the Eligibility Counselor must deny the application after the tenth (10th) day. 8. When an application is denied after the tenth (10th) day for “failure to provide verification” (reason code 305), and the household provides the missing verification within the initial thirty

(24-03)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 10 (30) day application processing period, the application must be reopened, and benefits prorated from the date of application. 9. If the household provides the missing verification in the second thirty (30) day period, the application must be reinstated and benefits will be provided from the date that the household furnished the verification, if eligible. 10.If the verification is provided within sixty (60) days from the application date, the Eligibility Counselor must act on the verification without requesting a new application. L. Household (Applicant) Delays 1. The household loses its entitlement to beneﬁts, if by the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of application; the Eligibility Counselor cannot take further action on the application due to the fault of the household. 2. If a notice of denial is sent and the household takes the required action within sixty (60) days of the date the application was ﬁled, the Eligibility Counselor will reopen the case without requiring a new application. 3. The household is not entitled to beneﬁts for the month of application when the delay was the fault of the household. The Eligibility Counselor will provide beneﬁts prorated from the day of the month that the applicant/recipient took the action or provided the information required to complete the application process if, during the second thirty (30) day period, the household is found to be eligible. 4. If the household is at fault for not completing the application process by the end of the second thirty-day (30) period, the Eligibility Counselor shall require the household to ﬁle a new application if it wishes to participate. M. County Office Delays 1. Whenever a delay in the initial thirty (30) day period is the fault of the county, the Eligibility Counselor will take immediate corrective action. A notice of denial cannot be sent for county- caused delays. 2. The Eligibility Counselor will not deny the application if the delay was caused by the county, but instead will notify the household by the thirtieth (30th) day after the application was ﬁled that its application is being held pending. The Eligibility Counselor also will notify the household of any action it must take or outstanding veriﬁcation that must be provided to complete the application process. 3. If the county caused the delay during the ﬁrst thirty (30) days, and the household is found to be eligible during the second thirty (30) day period, the household shall be entitled to beneﬁts retroactive to the day it ﬁled its application for beneﬁts. If, however, the household is found to be ineligible, the Eligibility Counselor shall deny the application. 4. If the county is at fault for not completing the application process by the end of the second thirty-day (30) period, and all the information necessary to complete the application has been received, the Eligibility Counselor must continue to process the original application until an eligibility determination is made. If the household is determined eligible and the county was at fault for the delay in the initial thirty (30) days, the household must receive its initial beneﬁts retroactive to the day of the month it applied for beneﬁts.

(24-03)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 10 5. If the county is at fault for not completing the application process by the end of the second thirty (30) day period (60 days) but the case is not complete enough to reach an eligibility determination, the Eligibility Counselor should deny the case and notify the household to ﬁle a new application unless the original application can be processed immediately, and the household notiﬁed of the action that will be taken. Supporting Documents Expedited Households that Miss Their First Interview Prescreening for Expedited Services Policy 24.21 SNAP Destitute Households or Seasonal Farmworkers Application Timeliness Tracking Guide Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP SNAP Notice Language Desk Guide SNAP Application Processing Guide Policy 24.11 SNAP Work Requirements Unearned Income Types Veriﬁcation Codes Verifying Resources What You Should Ask About? Changes Guide

(24-03)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 10 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Applicant An applicant is a person who has submitted a completed and signed document prescribed by TDHS as a form approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) containing at least a legible name, address, and a signature to request Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the household of which he/she is a member. An authorized representative or legal guardian may actually ﬁle the application provided they have been authorized to do so by the head of the household, spouse, or other responsible household member. Application or Application Form An application is a form prescribed by TDHS and/or approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) containing prescribed information which is submitted to TDHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, or authorized representative. For SNAP purposes, an initial application is the ﬁrst month for which the household applies for participation, following any period during which the household was not certiﬁed for participation in SNAP. A/R Applicant/Recipient Certiﬁcation Period A certiﬁcation period is an assigned period of time during which a household is eligible and certiﬁed to receive SNAP beneﬁts. EBT Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer FF Families First FNS Food and Nutrition Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a household is a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a household. Income A recurring gain or beneﬁt measured in money amounts. NOMI Notice of Missed Interview QC Quality Control Resident A household living in the county in which it ﬁles an application for participation. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes PUN 24.10-21.01 Ten (10) Day Time Frame for Pending Veriﬁcations and Customer Contact Policy 24.03 SNAP Timeliness Standards eﬀ. date 09/03/2018

(24-03)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Timeliness Standards

Policy 24.03 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 10 Authority 7 C.F.R. § 273.2; 7 C.F.R. § 273.10 Tenn. Code Ann. §§71-5-304 Tenn. Comp. R & Regs. 1240-1-17-.02--.09 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Section I. Time Limits Change to 10-day count for veriﬁcations. 08/13/2018 09/03/2018 A.5.a; A.5.b; F.1; K.2 Added items in A.5, revised item in F, updated collateral document in K. 02/14/2018 02/15/2018 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commission 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Danielle Anita Barnes Commissioner 08/13/2018 09/03/2018 Danielle Anita Barnes Commissioner 02/14/2018 02/15/2018 Current Approver

(24-04)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.04 SNAP Household Composition#

(24-04)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 5 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Household Composition Policy 24.04 Eﬀective: March 1, 2019 Introduction All Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) staﬀ must determine household composition before approving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneﬁts. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures and guidelines for staff to assist them in determining who should be included or excluded in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) household. Policy A. Household Composition 1. Prior to establishing eligibility and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotment, the living constellations and other factors of all individuals residing together must be explored to determine which of them will be considered household (HH) members. 2. A HH is composed of one of the following individuals or groups of individuals: a. An individual living alone; b. An individual living with others, but customarily purchasing food and preparing meals for home consumption separate and apart from others; or c. A group of individuals who live together and customarily purchase food and prepare meals together for home consumption. B. Veriﬁcation of Household Composition Verify the HH size (number of persons in the HH), when questionable. This is done by either a collateral contact or another source of veriﬁcation that will provide accurate information regarding the number of persons in the HH.

(24-04)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Household Composition

Policy 24.04 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 5 C. Purchasing and Preparing Meals 1. To determine which individuals included in the living constellation will be considered to be HH members, the case will be evaluated to determine how meals are purchased and prepared. 2. Unless speciﬁc individuals are eligible for separate HH status, all persons who purchase and prepare their meals in common are treated as one HH. 3. When an individual(s) changes a pattern of living to establish a new pattern, either by choice or by force of circumstances, the intent to establish the new pattern has greater importance than the prior pattern. 4. An individual(s) may intend to function as a separate HH, but cannot do so unless the SNAP application is approved. Consider the individual(s) as a separate HH when such intent is expressed. 5. For unregulated or special HH circumstances refer to Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements D. Separate Household Status 1. Individuals who live together but purchase and prepare their meals separately may be eligible for separate HH status. 2. Persons eligible for separate HH status: a. Siblings (not under parental control) who live together and who purchase and prepare separately; b. Children twenty-two (22) and over who live with their parents and purchase and prepare separately; c. Individuals other than parents and siblings who share living quarters with a SNAP HH, but who do not purchase and prepare meals with that HH; d. A person who is disabled and unable to purchase their own food but who has arranged to have their food purchased and prepared separately from those with whom they live. Even if the person who shops for food or prepares meals for the disabled person lives with the disabled person, the disabled person may claim separate HH status; or e. An elderly and disabled individual (and spouse of that individual) living with others when: i. the elderly and disabled individual is unable to purchase and prepare his/her own meals with others; and ii. the combined gross income of the others with whom the elderly and disabled individual lives (not including the individual and spouse) does not exceed 165% of the poverty level iii. separate HH status can be granted to both the elderly and disabled individual (and spouse) or the other individual(s) with whom the elderly and disabled individual lives, if both of the criteria above are met.

(24-04)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Household Composition

Policy 24.04 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 5 iv. staﬀ shall refer to Applying the 165% Gross Income Test for the procedures on determining separate HH status for elderly and disabled individuals living with others. 3. Persons not eligible for separate HH status: a. A spouse of a member of the HH; b. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP-Impact of the Defense of Marriage Act on SNAP Eligibility that mandates that same-sex spouses must be considered to be married and a part of the same HH or SNAP eligibility purposes. c. Children under twenty-two (22) who are living with their parents; or d. when a child resides in more than one HH, staﬀ shall refer to Child Residing in More Than One Household During the Same Month. e. Children under eighteen (18) who are living with someone acting as a parent (parental control). 4. Veriﬁcation must be obtained for individuals wanting separate HH status. The individual must: a. obtain the cooperation of the individual(s) with whom she/he lives in providing the necessary information; and b. provide (if requested) a physician's statement that the elderly person is disabled as deﬁned in Policy 24.18 SNAP Deductions from Income, and cannot purchase and prepare their own food. E. Designating Head of Household 1. Every HH must designate an individual as the head of HH for case control and issuance purposes. 2. Certain HHs must be oﬀered the option of selecting their head of HH. The department shall allow the HH to select an adult parent of children (of any age) living in the HH, or an adult who has parental control over children [under eighteen (18) years of age] living in the HH, as the head of HH provided that all adult HH members agree to the selection. 3. If all adult members do not agree to the selection or decline to select, the department may designate the head of HH or permit the HH to make another selection. 4. For HHs that do not consist of adult parents and children, the department shall designate the head of HH or permit the HH to do so. 5. When the HH declines to designate or cannot agree who is to be the head of the HH, the department will designate the head of the HH. 6. The department shall permit HHs to select their head at each certiﬁcation action or whenever there is a change in HH composition. 7. The head of HH classiﬁcation will not be used to impose special requirements, such as requiring the head of HH, rather than another responsible member of the HH, to ﬁle the application or to appear at the certiﬁcation interview.

(24-04)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Household Composition

Policy 24.04 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 5 Supporting Documents Applying the 165% Gross Income Test Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements SNAP-Impact of the Defense of Marriage Act on SNAP Eligibility Child Residing in More Than One Household During the Same Month Policy 24.18 SNAP Deductions from Income Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Department The Tennessee Department of Human Services Head of Household The head of household is the person who has been designated to appear on the SNAP application by the household or the State Department. HH Household Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. Living Constellation A group of individuals that live together. Parent-Child Relationship Kinship connections between mothers and/or fathers and their children resulting from the child(ren’s) birth or adoption or from the marriage of the child(ren’s) mother or father. Parental Control The authority exercised by a mother or father (or any adult household member acting as a parent) to guide, manage, supervise, and provide care to a minor dependent child who lives in the same home. Pattern of Living A particular way in which a HH is comprised or organized. Sibling An individual who shares a common parent with another individual. Sibling relationship may be either natural, legal, or by marriage (i.e. natural, adopted, half, or step brothers and sisters). SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Spouse Two people who are legally married. For couples in a same-sex marriage, spouses must be included in one SNAP household. Tennessee does not recognize common law marriage. Common law marriage is not the same as a couple "living together." In a common law marriage, the couple presents themselves to the community, friends, and neighbors as a married couple. Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual, July 2017, Chapter 2 Bulletin No. 31, FA-06-24

(24-04)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Household Composition

Policy 24.04 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 5 Authority 7 CFR §273.1 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-02-.02 Application All TDHS Staﬀ and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 2/1/2024 03/01/2019 Updated to New Template Updated to New Template Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 02/15/2019 03/01/2019 Current Approver

(24-05)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.05 SNAP Authorized Representatives#

(24-05)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Authorized Representatives Policy 24.05 Eﬀective: March 1, 2019 Introduction All Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) staﬀ shall inform individual applicants and prospective applicants, who indicate that they may have diﬃculty completing the application process, that a non-food unit member may be designated as the authorized representative for application processing purposes. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures and guidelines for employees to determine who may be an authorized representative for applicants and prospective applicants. The policy will also instruct employees on the processes regarding how and when the authorized representative can (1) make an application, (2) obtain SNAP benefits, and (3) use SNAP benefits on behalf of the customer. Policy A. Authorized Representatives 1. An authorized representative (AR) is an individual who has been designated by the household (HH) to act on behalf of the HH in regards to SNAP beneﬁts. 2. The non-HH member must meet the following criteria: a. be an adult; b. have been designated in writing by the head of HH, the spouse, or another responsible HH member; and c. be suﬃciently aware of relevant HH circumstances to act in the HH’s behalf. 3. An AR may act on behalf of the HH in any one or all of the following capacities: a. apply for the HH; b. obtain the HH’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneﬁts; and/or c. use the HH’s SNAP beneﬁts to purchase food for the HH.

(24-05)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Authorized Representatives

Policy 24.05 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 4. The name of the AR must be recorded in the HH’s case record. Staﬀ shall refer to Recording Authorized Representative Information and Procedures to Designate an Authorized Representative for how to record the AR. B. Making an Application for the Household and Obtaining SNAP Beneﬁts 1. The HH will be informed that the head of HH or spouse should complete or review the application, whenever possible. 2. The responsible HH member or the AR will be allowed to complete the work registration and Employment and Training (E&T) referral for those HH members required to comply. 3. The HH will be held liable for any over issuance resulting from incorrect information given by the AR, unless the HH is participating in a drug or alcoholic treatment center. 4. A non-HH member, acting as an AR will be allowed to apply on behalf of the HH when the head of HH, spouse, or other responsible HH members cannot apply. 5. The HH may designate an AR to obtain its SNAP beneﬁts. a. The AR does not have to be the same individual who was designated to make application for the HH. b. The HH will be advised that such designation must be made at the time of certiﬁcation. c. Staﬀ shall refer to Recording Authorized Representative Information and Procedures to Designate an Authorized Representative for instruction on how to designate an AR. C. Using the SNAP Beneﬁts 1. An AR may purchase food items for the HH, using its SNAP beneﬁts. The AR does not have to be the same individual as previously designated, nor does designation of this AR have to be in writing. 2. The AR must have the HH’s Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer (EBT) card and PIN with the full knowledge and consent of the HH. 3. When the AR is named on the case record and is authorized to use the beneﬁts, he/she will receive their own EBT card and PIN. D. Emergency Authorized Representative An emergency AR is used when neither a responsible HH member nor the HH’s regular AR is able to obtain the SNAP beneﬁts. E. Disqualiﬁcation of an Authorized Representative 1. The eligibility counselor will disqualify an AR when evidence is obtained that the AR has: a. knowingly misrepresented the HH’s circumstances or intentionally provided false information concerning the HH; b. improperly used the HH’s SNAP beneﬁts. 2. An AR for any HH, other than residents of a drug or alcoholic treatment center, will be disqualiﬁed for up to one (1) year. The following steps will be taken when a disqualiﬁcation has occurred: a. The HH and AR will be provided with a written notice of disqualiﬁcation. b. The notice will contain: i. the proposed action;

(24-05)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Authorized Representatives

Policy 24.05 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 ii. the reason for the disqualiﬁcation of the AR; iii. the right to a fair hearing; and iv. the eligibility counselor’s telephone number F. Restrictions on Who May Be an Authorized Representative Do not allow the HH to designate any of the following individuals as an AR: 1. An AR shall not be department employees who are involved in the certiﬁcation or issuance processes; 2. Retailers who are authorized to accept SNAP beneﬁts may not act as ARs without the speciﬁc written approval of a designated department oﬃcial and only if that oﬃcial determines that no one else is available to serve as an AR; 3. An individual disqualiﬁed for an intentional program violation cannot act as an AR during the disqualiﬁcation period, unless the department has determined that no one else is available to serve as an AR. 4. Homeless meal providers as described in the Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements may not act as ARs for homeless SNAP recipients. Supporting Documents Recording Authorized Representative Information and Procedures to Designate an Authorized Representative Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Adult Anyone the age of eighteen (18) and over. AR Authorized Representative Department Refers to the Tennessee Department of Human Services EBT Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer E&T Employment and Training HH Household Non-food unit member An individual not participating in the SNAP unit. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual, July 2017, Chapter 2 Authority 7 CFR § 273.2 (n)(1) Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-02-.02(6)(e)

(24-05)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Authorized Representatives

Policy 24.05 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 02/15/2019 03/01/2019 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 02/15/2019 03/01/2019 Current Approver

(24-06)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements#

(24-06)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 15

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Special Living Arrangements Policy 24.06 Eﬀective: July 1, 2019

Introduction Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Family Assistance staﬀ shall be able to identify the diﬀerent types of special living arrangements and apply the policies related to each arrangement. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to staff in identifying a customer’s living arrangement. Applying the appropriate policy to the different types of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) living arrangements ensures the customer receives the correct monthly benefit amount. Policy A. Absent Wage Earner 1. Absent wage earners are included as household (HH) members unless the absent wage earner and the HH can suﬃciently establish that the absent wage earner is, in fact, a separate HH. 2. Staﬀ shall refer to Focused Interview Techniques for Determining an Absent Wage Earner for ways to assist in determining if a HH member is an absent wage earner. B. Individuals Receiving Foster Care Board Payments 1. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) HH has the option to include or exclude individuals and their income when foster care board payments are made for SNAP purposes. 2. The foster care individuals may be included (as HH members) or excluded from consideration (as boarders), but cannot participate as separate SNAP HHs. Refer to Chapter 20: Income of the current SNAP Policy Manual.

(24-06)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 15 C. Residents of Institutions 1. An individual is considered a resident of an institution when the institution provides the majority [over ﬁfty percent (50%)] of their meals as a part of the institution's normal services, and the institution is not authorized to accept SNAP beneﬁts. 2. Only residents of the following institutions are eligible to participate in SNAP: a. Individuals who reside at a drug or alcohol treatment center in order to participate in a treatment program. b. Disabled or blind individuals who are residents of a group living arrangement and who receive beneﬁts under Title II (RSDI) or Title XVI (SSI) of the Social Security Act. c. Residents of shelters for individuals of domestic violence. d. Residents of non-proﬁt shelters that provide meals to the homeless. D. Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers 1. Drug and alcohol treatment centers must be authorized to receive and use SNAP beneﬁts on behalf of eligible recipients/residents via an authorized representative (AR) employed by the treatment program. 2. Approved treatment programs must meet the following criteria prior to the certiﬁcation of residents for SNAP by county TDHS oﬃce: a. be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) as a bona fide treatment program; or b. have a letter from the TDMHSAS acknowledging that the facility is operating for this purpose; and c. have services conducted by a private non-proﬁt organization or institution or a publicly operated center. 3. A listing of licensed treatment centers, by county, can be found on the Internet at Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Directory. In addition, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) also provides addiction treatment programs and that would be a credible source for rehabilitation. 4. Eligibility for SNAP beneﬁts will be determined for non-residents and residents of drug and alcohol treatment centers. a. Non-residents may use SNAP beneﬁts to purchase food prepared during the treatment program. The treatment program may be operated by a private non-proﬁt organization or institution or a publicly operated community mental health center authorized by the TDMHSAS as a bona ﬁde treatment center. b. Residents of drug and alcohol treatment centers may voluntarily elect to participate in the SNAP program, but must do so through an AR. i. Residents of drug and alcohol treatment centers must apply and be certiﬁed through the use of an AR who is an employee of and designated by the private non-

(24-06)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 15 proﬁt organization or institution or the publicly operated center that is administering the treatment and rehabilitation program. ii. The organization or institution must apply on behalf of the individual and receive and spend the SNAP beneﬁts for food prepared by and/or served to that individual. iii. Each center will be asked to sign HS-3042 Letter of Agreement. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of TDHS and the respective center responsibilities in the certiﬁcation and record keeping process. c. Staﬀ shall refer to Processing SNAP Applications for Individuals Admitted to a Drug and/or Alcohol Treatment Center. 5. Resident HHs have the same rights to notices as all other SNAP HHs. a. Adverse action b. Fair hearings c. Loss of beneﬁts 6. A resident of a center has a right to same day ﬁling. However, the interview, veriﬁcation, and other certiﬁcation procedures must be accomplished through the AR. 7. Participants in drug or alcohol treatment rehabilitation programs, either on a residential or outpatient basis, are exempt from work registration requirements. See Policy 24.11 SNAP Work Requirements. 8. The regular participation of an individual in a treatment program may be veriﬁed through the organization or institution operating the program before granting the exemption, if the information is questionable. 9. If the information provided on the application by the drug and/or alcohol treatment facility or the client is inconsistent, such information must be independently veriﬁed by the eligibility counselor prior to certiﬁcation. 10. Residents of treatment centers are certiﬁed usually for the period of time they are expected to be in the center program. 11. Basis for Center Participation a. Drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program means any drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program recognized as: i. a tax exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service or; ii. non-proﬁt by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS). b. The Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) must provide such an organization or institution with a license or issue a letter to the agency acknowledging that the facility is operating for this purpose.

(24-06)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 15 c. Agencies that meet certain criteria can be designated as providing treatment that can lead to the rehabilitation of an individual experiencing alcohol and substance abuse issues. 12. Each drug and/or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation center will be asked to provide the county with a certiﬁed list of currently participating residents signed by the center director. a. The county oﬃce will require the listing on a monthly basis. b. The treatment center’s monthly report must contain the following information: i. the name of each resident/recipient; ii. the date of arrival at the center of each resident/recipient; iii. the date of departure from the center of each resident/recipient (if applicable); iv. the date of return of Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer (EBT) cards, and/or beneﬁts to departing resident/recipients or to the local certiﬁcation oﬃce (if applicable); v. the date changes were reported to the local certiﬁcation oﬃce; and statement of justiﬁcation if the number of residents/recipients exceeds the center’s reported capacity. 13. The SNAP beneﬁts are redeemed at the facility and deposited into the institution’s account. a. This may be completed by point of sale terminals or manual EBT transaction processing. b. This process will eliminate the need for the facility to handle multiple EBT cards while shopping for food. c. Beneﬁts due to a recipient leaving the facility can be accurately tracked. 14. When the participant leaves the center, the treatment center must: a. Provide resident HHs with their EBT card, and any beneﬁts the HH is entitled to when the HH leaves the treatment center. If beneﬁts have been deposited into the ﬁnancial institution’s account, beneﬁts will be transferred into the recipient’s account for any entitled beneﬁts due the recipient. b. The departing HH will receive its full allotment if issued and if no SNAP beneﬁts have been spent on behalf of that individual HH. These procedures are applicable any time during the month. c. When an individual leaves the treatment and rehabilitation program prior to the sixteenth (16th) day of the month, the treatment center will provide the HH with one- half of its monthly SNAP allotment if: i. SNAP beneﬁts have been issued for that month; and ii. Any portion of those beneﬁts has been spent on behalf of the individual.

(24-06)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 15 d. If the HH leaves after the sixteenth (16th) day of the month and the beneﬁts have already been issued and used, the HH is not due any beneﬁts. e. Once the HH leaves the treatment center, the center is no longer allowed to act as that HH’s AR and that treatment center will return any EBT cards or beneﬁts received on behalf of HHs which are no longer residents of the center. f. The HH should be provided a HS-2302 Change Report with instructions to use to report their new address and other circumstances within ten (10) days after leaving the center. 15. For reporting changes the treatment center will notify the county oﬃce, of changes in the HH’s income or other HH changes in circumstances. 16. The treatment center will be reminded to return the HH’s EBT card and Personal Identiﬁcation Number (PIN) mailer to the TDHS Oﬃce if received after the individual has left the center. a. The organization or institution will be informed at each certiﬁcation that it is responsible for any misrepresentation or intentionally withholding information concerning the HH in the certiﬁcation of center residents. b. As an AR, the organization or institution must be knowledgeable about the HH’s circumstances and should review carefully those circumstances with residents prior to applying on their behalf. c. The organization or institution will be reminded that it is strictly liable for all losses or misuse of beneﬁts held on behalf of residents and for all over issuances which occur while the HHs are residents of the treatment center. 17. The organization or institution will be informed that it may be penalized or disqualiﬁed by Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) if it is determined, either administratively or judicially, that beneﬁts were misappropriated or used for purchases that did not contribute to a certiﬁed HH’s meals. a. TDHS will notify the FNS Regional Oﬃce promptly when it has reason to believe that an organization or institution is misusing beneﬁts in its possession. b. TDHS will not take action against the organization or institution until notiﬁed by FNS of its determination. 18. FNS will notify the TDHS if FNS disqualiﬁes an organization or institution as an authorized retail food store. a. TDHS will then suspend the AR status of that organization or institution for the same period. b. Residents of substance abuse treatment centers that lose their FNS authorization to accept and redeem beneﬁts or lose their certiﬁcation through the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) will not be eligible to participate.

(24-06)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 15 c. The residents are not entitled to a Notice of Adverse Action but will receive a written notice explaining the termination and when it will becomes eﬀective. 19. The county oﬃce will conduct semi-annual site visits to treatment centers to assure the accuracy of the listings and that the county’s records are consistent and up-to-date. a. Questionable situations may demand a more frequent site review. b. A centralized record of these visits will be maintained for Management Evaluation (ME) and audit purposes. c. Appropriate corrective action will be taken on discrepancies noted. E. Group Living Arrangements 1. Group living arrangements may purchase and prepare food to be consumed by eligible residents when: a. Residents normally obtain their meals at a central location as part of the group living arrangement services; or b. Meals are prepared at a central location for delivery to the individual residents. 2. If residents purchase and/or prepare food for “home consumption” as opposed to communal dining, the group living arrangement should ensure that each resident’s SNAP beneﬁts are used for meals intended for that resident. 3. The group living arrangement must be authorized by TDMHSAS or the Tennessee Department of Health (TDOH). 4. The group home may request authorization as a wholesaler through FNS. 5. The home does not have to be certiﬁed as a wholesaler to be approved for SNAP. 6. The eligibility counselor must verify that the home is a non-proﬁt residence or the contract agency that serves the home has non-proﬁt status. a. Non-proﬁt status can be established by agencies such as the TDMHSAS or the TDOH, which has approved the home, or by proof of tax exempt status through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). b. The non-proﬁt agency may in turn contract with service providers who are either for- proﬁt or not-for-proﬁt. This would not aﬀect the home’s eligibility. 7. Blind or disabled residents of a group living arrangement may voluntarily apply for the SNAP Program. 8. Application Process for individuals in group living arrangements Residents of group living arrangements may apply and be certiﬁed in three ways: a. Through use of an AR employed and designated by the group living arrangement; b. on their own behalf; or c. through an AR of their own choice.

(24-06)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 15 9. The group living arrangement must determine if any resident can apply for SNAP on his or her own behalf; the determination should be based on the resident’s physical and mental ability to handle his or her own aﬀairs. 10. The group living arrangement is encouraged to consult with any other agencies providing services to individual residents prior to a determination. 11. All residents of the group living arrangement do not have to be certiﬁed either through an AR or individually in order for one or the other method to be used for SNAP beneﬁts. 12. Applications will be accepted for any individual applying as one- person HH or for any grouping of residents applying as a HH. 13. If the resident applies using the facility as an AR, the group living arrangement may receive and spend the allotment for food prepared and served to the eligible resident or allow the eligible resident to use all or any portion of the allotment on his or her own behalf. 14. Each county oﬃce may appoint an eligibility counselor to serve as liaison and to certify the residents of the treatment centers and group living arrangements. 15. Residents are required to report changes. a. If the resident has made application on his or her behalf, the HH is responsible for reporting changes to the county oﬃce in accordance with the provisions that apply to all other SNAP HHs as described in Chapter 41: Continued Responsibilities of the SNAP Policy Manual. b. If the group living arrangement is acting in the capacity of an AR, the group living arrangement will notify the county oﬃce of changes in the HH’s income or other circumstances in accordance with the provisions that apply to all other SNAP HHs. i. The group home must notify the county oﬃce when the individual leaves the group living arrangement. ii. The group living arrangement must return the HH’s beneﬁts to the county oﬃce if they are received after the HH has left the group living arrangement. 16. Through a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the facility will be permitted to act as a point of sale, for the SNAP beneﬁts issued to participants. a. The SNAP beneﬁts will be redeemed at the facility and be deposited into the institution’s account. b. This may be completed by point of sale terminals or manual EBT transaction processing. c. This process will prevent the facility from having to handle multiple EBT cards while shopping for food. d. EBT beneﬁts due a recipient leaving the facility can be accurately tracked.

(24-06)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 15 17. When a resident leaves a group living facility the following should occur based on their circumstances. a. If the facility is either acting as an AR or has retained use of the SNAP beneﬁts on the behalf of a resident, the resident should be provided their EBT card (if applicable). i. The departing HH must receive its full allotment if the monthly allotment has been issued and no beneﬁts have been spent on behalf of that individual HH any time during the month. ii. When an individual leaves the group living arrangement prior to the sixteenth (16th) day of the month and beneﬁts have already been issued and any portion spent on behalf of the individual, the facility shall provide the HH with its EBT card (if applicable) and one-half of its monthly allotment. iii. If the HH leaves after the sixteenth (16th) of the month and the beneﬁts have already been issued and used, the HH does not receive any beneﬁts. iv. When a group of residents have been certiﬁed as one HH and have returned beneﬁts to the facility to use, the departing residents shall be given a pro rata share of one- half of the HH’s monthly beneﬁts if leaving prior to the sixteenth (16th) day of the month. v. Once the resident leaves, the group living arrangement no longer acts as his or her AR. vi. The group living arrangement should provide the HH with a HS-2302 Change Report to report to the County Oﬃce the individual’s new address and other circumstances after leaving the group living arrangement and advise the HH to return the form to the appropriate oﬃce in the county within ten (10) days. b. If a resident or a group of residents has applied for SNAP beneﬁts on their own behalf and retained use of their own allotment, they are entitled to keep the beneﬁts when they leave the group living arrangement. i. If a group of residents have applied as one HH, a pro rata share of the remaining allotment should be provided to any departing HH member. ii. The group living arrangement should provide the HH with a HS-2302 Change Report to report to the County Oﬃce the individual’s new address and other circumstances after leaving the group living arrangement and advise the HH to return the form to the appropriate oﬃce in the county within ten (10) days. 18. Liabilities: When the facility is acting as an AR the following provisions apply: a. The same provisions regarding misrepresentation and fraud applicable to drug and alcoholic treatment centers also apply to group living arrangements when the facility is acting as an AR. b. These provisions are not applicable if a resident has applied on his or her own behalf.

(24-06)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 15 c. The resident applying on his or her behalf is responsible for over issuances of SNAP beneﬁts. 19. The reporting responsibilities and reviews for drug and alcohol treatment centers also apply toward group living arrangements as described in this chapter. 20. Staﬀ shall refer to Shelter Expenses for Residents of Group Living Arrangements and Supportive Living Arrangements to provide examples of allowable shelter and utility expenses for residents of group homes. F. Supportive Living Arrangement 1. Supportive living arrangements will be certiﬁed by the appropriate state agency in the same manner as the group living arrangement. The supportive living arrangement agency subcontracts with individuals and/or agencies to manage these arrangements. 2. Individuals receiving supportive living services are living in property that they own and/or control (i.e. pays rent) and have certain services provided to them in their homes based on their speciﬁc needs. 3. These individuals make application for SNAP in the same manner as any other individual and they may have an individual acting as their AR. 4. The fact that there are some services provided to the individual in their home by a proﬁt or nonproﬁt agency is irrelevant, if they are otherwise eligible. 5. To determine shelter costs for individuals living in supportive living arrangements staﬀ shall refer to Shelter Expenses for Residents of Group Living Arrangements and Supportive Living Arrangements. G. Shelters for Battered Persons and Children 1. A shelter for battered persons and children must meet a speciﬁc program deﬁnition. See glossary. 2. If the facility has FNS Authorization to redeem beneﬁts as a wholesaler, it is not required to determine whether the facility meets the program deﬁnition, the Running Record Comments (CLRC) should be appropriately documented. 3. Residents of shelters for battered persons and children can apply as separate HHs : a. Through use of an AR employed and designated by the shelter; b. On their own behalf; or c. Through an AR of his or her own choice. 4. Shelter residents, who have left their home to escape an abuser, are exempted from the prohibition against participation in more than one county in any month. a. Shelter residents who were previously in a certiﬁed HH (if otherwise eligible) can participate in the program as a separate HH if the certiﬁed HH contained the person who subjected them to abuse. b. Shelter residents may receive an additional allotment only once in a given month.

(24-06)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 15 c. Shelter residents whose former HHs were not certiﬁed for program participation prior to the member(s) entering the shelter may be certiﬁed for program beneﬁts as a separate HH, if otherwise eligible. Such residents can receive only one allotment per month, regardless of the number of times they return to the former HH and are forced to return to the shelter. 5. Applications for residents of shelters for battered persons and their children may be processed under expedited or normal processing standards, whichever is applicable. a. This provision may apply to residents of any shelter for battered persons and children regardless of whether the facility meets the deﬁnition of shelter for battered persons and children. b. Residents of any shelter for battered persons and children not meeting the program deﬁnition may participate as individual HH units or as part of a group of individuals if their shelters do not provide meals. c. However, only those individuals who participate as individual HHs will be processed under expedited provisions. d. Residents of such shelters who participate as part of a group already participating will be processed as a reported change. e. Residents who do not meet the criteria for expedited service must be processed under normal procedures. f. Certify residents of a shelter for battered persons and children who apply as separate HHs solely on the basis of their income and resources. i. The only expenses that can be considered in determining deductions for the HH are the expenses for which they are responsible. ii. Consider resources held jointly with members of the former HH as inaccessible resources in accordance with Policy 24.13 SNAP Treatment of Resources. 6. Reducing the Former Household’s Benefits Prompt action will be taken to ensure that the former HHs eligibility and/or allotment reflect the changes in HH composition. This is considered as a reported change and should be acted on. 7. All changes should be reported. a. If the resident has made application on his/her own behalf, the HH is responsible for reporting changes to the county oﬃce in accordance with the provisions that apply to all other SNAP HHs as cited in Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities of the SNAP Policy Manual. b. If the shelter is acting as AR, it must notify the county oﬃce of changes in the HH’s circumstances, etc. in accordance with the provisions that apply to all other SNAP HHs. 8. While the participant is in the facility, through a waiver from the USDA, the facility is permitted to act as a point of sale.

(24-06)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 15 a. The SNAP beneﬁts are redeemed at the facility and deposited into the institution’s account. b. This may be completed by point of sale terminals or manual EBT transaction processing. c. This process will eliminate the facility from having to handle multiple EBT cards while shopping for food. 9. When a HH leaves the shelter there are several actions: a. The facility that has use of the beneﬁts either acting as AR or retaining use of the beneﬁts on the behalf of the residents must b. provide the residents with their EBT card. c. The departing HH must receive its full allotment if the monthly allotment has been issued and no beneﬁts have been spent on behalf of that individual HH. d. Once the resident leaves, the shelter no longer has the authority to act as the AR for the HH. e. The shelter must return any HH’s beneﬁts, EBT cards and/or EBT card documents to the county oﬃce if they are received after the (HH) has left the shelter. f. Households, which retain use of their own beneﬁts, are entitled to keep the beneﬁts when they leave the shelter. 10. The reporting responsibilities and review requirements for drug and alcohol treatment programs also apply to shelters for battered women and children. 11. Residents of shelters, which do not provide meals, may participate in the program, if otherwise eligible as any other HH. a. Such residents are not considered as residing in an institution. b. The special provisions in this section do not apply i.e., receiving more than one allotment in a given month. H. Shelters for the Homeless 1. Prior to certiﬁcation of any individual residing in a shelter for the homeless, it will be determined that the shelter is non-proﬁt and provides meals to the homeless. a. The shelter will be contacted to verify that meals are provided to the homeless without proﬁt to the shelter. b. If veriﬁcation cannot be obtained through documentary evidence, the residents of the shelter may not be certiﬁed because they will be considered as residents of an institution. 2. Applications for residents of a shelter will be processed under expedited or normal processing standards, whichever is applicable.

(24-06)(page-12)Page 12#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 15 3. EBT cards will be mailed to the county oﬃce, or the HH’s post oﬃce box, to ensure the recipient receives his/her beneﬁts. 4. The shelter’s employees may not act as AR for the residents of the shelter. 5. The residents may use their beneﬁts to purchase food to prepare meals for their own consumption, or to purchase prepared meals served by the shelter, if the shelter has been approved by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to accept beneﬁts. I. Certiﬁcation Periods 1. TDHS should assign each HH the longest certiﬁcation period possible, consistent with its circumstances. 2. Households with unstable circumstances should be assigned certiﬁcations consistent with their circumstances but generally no less than three (3) months. 3. Households may be assigned one (1) or two (2) month certiﬁcation periods when it appears likely that the HH will become ineligible for SNAP beneﬁts in the near future. J. Homeless Meal Providers 1. It is the county oﬃce’s responsibility to establish that meal providers wanting FNS authorization to accept SNAP beneﬁts are serving meals to the homeless. The meal provider or FNS will contact TDHS to substantiate that the provider serves meals to the homeless. 2. Each county may appoint one eligibility counselor to be responsible for determining that establishments serve meals to the homeless. 3. The eligibility counselor can verify that an establishment serves meals to the homeless through a site visit to the establishment. 4. Upon approval of the establishment, the eligibility counselor should complete HS-2120 Meal Provider for the Homeless, in duplicate. a. One (1) copy goes to the establishment for submittal to FNS as part of the application process for accepting beneﬁts; and b. A second (2nd) copy is stored in a designated location in the county office. 5. No further action is required unless the provider stops providing meals to the homeless. If this occurs, the eligibility counselor should report to the local FNS oﬃcial that the establishment is no longer serving meals to the homeless. K. Communal Dining Establishments 1. Eligible HH members, sixty (60) years of age or over, or Social Security Income, (SSI) recipients, and their spouses, may use beneﬁts issued to them to purchase meals prepared especially for them at communal dining facilities authorized by FNS for that purpose. 2. Communal dining facilities include senior citizen centers, apartments buildings occupied primarily by elderly people or SSI HHs, public or private non-proﬁt establishments (eating

(24-06)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 15 or otherwise) that feed elderly persons or SSI recipients, and federally subsidized housing for the elderly at which meals are prepared for and served to the residents. 3. It also includes private establishments that contract with an appropriate state of local agency to oﬀer meals at concessional prices to elderly persons, homeless, or SSI recipients. L. Meals on Wheels 1. Eligible HH members sixty (60) years of age or over, or members who are housebound, feeble, have a physical disability, or otherwise disabled to the extent that they are unable to adequately prepare all their meals, and their spouses may use all or any part of the beneﬁts issued to them to purchase meals from a non-proﬁt meal delivery service authorized by FNS. 2. Meal delivery service means a political sub-division, a private non-proﬁt organization, or a private establishment with which the state or local agency has contracted for the preparation and delivery of meals at a concessional price to the people listed above and which is authorized by FNS. Supporting Documents HS-2302 Change Report (English) (instructions) HS-2302sp Change Report (Spanish) (instructions) HS-2302a Change Report (Arabic) (instructions) HS-2302s Change Report (Somali) (instructions) HS-3042 Letter of Agreement HS-2120 Meal Provider For The Homeless (instructions) Focused Interview Techniques for Determining an Absent Wage Earner SNAP Policy Manual, Chapter 20: Income Processing SNAP Applications for Individuals Admitted to a Drug and/or Alcohol Treatment Center Policy 24.11 SNAP Work Requirements Shelter Expenses for Residents of Group Living and Supportive Living Arrangements Policy 24.13 SNAP Treatment of Resources SNAP Policy Manual, Chapter 41: Continued Responsibilities Group Home Guidelines for SNAP Benefits Group Home Policy PPT Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Directory

(24-06)(page-14)Page 14#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 14 of 15 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Absent Wage Earner An employed individual who temporarily resides away from the home because of work related travel, or distance from the employment site prevents the individual from living in the home. AR Authorized Representative CCA Corrections Corporation of America Authorized Representative CLRC Running Record Comments Communal Dining The practice of dining with others. The practice is centered on food and sharing time with the people who come together in order to share the meal and conversation. Contractor A person or entity performing speciﬁed tasks outlined in a written contract between themselves and the Tennessee Department of Human Services DHS Approved Substance Abuse Treatment Program A substance abuse treatment program licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Drug and/or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program Any drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program recognized as a tax exempt organization by the Internal Revenue Service or as non-proﬁt by the Department of Mental Health EBT Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer Establishment A business, organization, public institution, or household. FNS Food and Nutrition Services, a division of the USDA Group Living Arrangements Public or private nonprofit residential settings that serve no more than sixteen (16) residents. A facility certiﬁed by the appropriate state agency or agencies under regulations issued under section 1616(e) of the Social Security Act or under standards determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be comparable to these standards. Home Consumption Food being eaten by a household or group of individuals in a designated area. Homeless Individual An individual who lacks a ﬁxed and regular nighttime residence or an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is one of the following: 1. a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations; 2. an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; 3. a temporary accommodation for not more than ninety (90) days in the residence of another individual; or 4. a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. HH Household

(24-06)(page-15)Page 15#

Subject: SNAP Special Living Arrangements

Policy 24.06

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 15 of 15 Term Deﬁnition IRS Internal Revenue Service ME Management Evaluation Non-Household Members Non-Residents are members of eligible households, including single person households, which include an individual who is experiencing narcotic or alcohol addiction and who regularly participate in a drug or alcohol treatment program on a non-resident basis. Resident Households A designated area that individual(s) occupy individually or as a group. Shelters for Battered Persons (women or men) Public or private non-proﬁt facilities that serve battered persons and their children. If the facility serves other individuals, a portion of the facility must be set aside on a long- term basis to serve only battered persons and children to meet the criteria for eligibility in a shelter for battered persons and children. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department Human Services TDMHSAS Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Retardation Substance Abuse Services TDOH Tennessee Department of Health USDA United States Department of Agriculture Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual Chapter 2 and Chapter 44 Authority 7 CFR §273.1; 7 CFR §273.10; 7 CFR §273.11 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-2-.02(2)(d); 1240-1-2-.02(2)(e); 1240-1-31- .01-.04; Application TDHS Family Assistance Staﬀ and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/05/2019 074/01/2019 N/A New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 06/05/2019 07/01/2019 Current Approver

(24-07)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.07 SNAP Non-household Members and Excluded Household Members#

(24-07)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 7 SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Eﬀective: September 1, 2022 Introduction Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Family Assistance staﬀ must be able to identify individuals who are considered either a non-household member or an excluded household member to determine SNAP eligibility. Scope This policy provides procedures and guidelines to assist in identifying who is considered either a non-household member or an excluded household member for the purposes of determining eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) along with how to treat the resources, income, and deductions of these household members. Policy Non-Household Members Certain individuals residing with a household are not considered household members when determining the household’s eligibility and allotment amount. These non-household members may participate as separate households, if otherwise eligible. The following individuals are considered non-household members: 1. Roomers 2. Live-In Attendants 3. Boarders 4. Ineligible students –For more information regarding ineligible students refer to Policy 24.27 SNAP Students in Higher Education. 5. Other non-household members – Other individuals who live in the household but do not customarily purchase food and prepare meals with the household are considered non- household members.

(24-07)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 7 Roomers A roomer is an individual to whom a household furnishes lodging, but not meals, for compensation. Staff may refer to Scenarios for Non-Household Members for an example scenario. Live-In Attendant A live-in attendant is an individual who resides with a household to provide medical, housekeeping, childcare, or other similar personal services. Staff may refer to Scenarios for Non-Household Members for an example scenario. Boarders in the SNAP Household A boarder is an individual residing with others to whom they are paying reasonable compensation for lodging and meals. 1. A household in which a boarder resides may participate in SNAP if he or she meets all of the eligibility requirements. 2. The amount of payment that the boarder gives the household is self-employment income. 3. Boarders are ineligible to participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) separate and apart from the household providing the room and board. However, they may participate as members of the household providing the room and board, only at the household’s request. If included they are considered household members and their income and resources would count entirely. 4. Boarder status can only be granted to individuals who pay “reasonable” compensation for room and board. a. To determine reasonable compensation for boarders use only the amount paid for meals to determine if the individual pays reasonable compensation, provided that the amount paid for meals is distinguishable from the amount paid for lodging. b. For individuals whose board arrangement is for more than two meals per day, “reasonable compensation” must be an amount that equals or exceeds the maximum SNAP allotment for the appropriate size of the boarder household. c. For individuals whose board arrangement is for two (2) meals or less per day, “reasonable compensation” must be an amount that equals or exceeds two-thirds of the maximum SNAP allotment for the appropriate size of the boarder household. Refer to Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members on how to treat the income and resources of boarders who are non-household members. Individuals Who Cannot Be Considered Non-Household Members The following individuals cannot be granted non-household status: 1. A group of individuals who live together and customarily purchase food and prepare meals together for home consumption; 2. Children under age twenty-two (22) who are living with their parents;

(24-07)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 7 3. Children under age eighteen (18) who are under the parental control of an adult household member; and 4. A spouse of a member of the household. Refer to Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members for guidance on how to address the treatment of income, resources, and deductible expenses for non-household members. Excluded Household Members There are instances when certain household members need to be identified as excluded from participation in SNAP either as members of the household or as separate households. These are: 1. Ineligible aliens or individuals with questionable citizenship; 2. Individuals disqualiﬁed because of failure to provide or apply for a social security number (SSN); 3. Individuals disqualiﬁed for intentional program violation (IPV); 4. Individuals disqualiﬁed for non-compliance with the work requirements, including voluntary quit; 5. Individuals convicted of traﬃcking in SNAP beneﬁts in the amount of $500 or more; 6. Individuals who have been convicted of a violation by a Federal, State, or local court of trading SNAP beneﬁts for a controlled substance; 7. Individuals who have a violation based upon a ﬁnding by a Federal, State, or local court of trading ﬁrearms, ammunition, or explosives for SNAP beneﬁts; 8. Individuals convicted by a court, Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing (ADH), Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Waiver (ADW), or a disqualiﬁcation consent agreement of having made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to identity or residence in order to receive multiple beneﬁts simultaneously; 9. Individuals convicted of the following types of convictions after February 7, 2014, and who are also not in compliance with the terms of their sentence or parole; a. Aggravated sexual abuse under section 2241 of title 18, United States Code; b. Murder under section 1111 of title 18, United States Code; c. Sexual exploitation and other abuse of children under chapter 110 of title 18, United States Code; d. A Federal or State oﬀense involving sexual assault, as deﬁned in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13925(a)); or e. An oﬀense under State law determined by the Attorney General to be substantially similar to title 18 crimes listed above. 10.Individuals who are ﬂeeing felons or probation/parole violators;

(24-07)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 7 • An individual is not a ﬂeeing felon or a probation or parole violator if the law enforcement agency does not intend to enforce the felony warrant or to arrest the individual for a probation or parole violation within thirty (30) days of the status information request. 11.Ineligible able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD); 12.Individuals convicted under federal or state law of a felony drug oﬀense which occurred after August 22, 1996, and which involved the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance, unless the individual is complying with or has already complied with all obligations (including any substance abuse treatment requirements) imposed by the criminal court, and provide proof of one of the following in regard to the most recent drug-related conviction: a. Veriﬁcation that the individual is currently participating in a substance abuse treatment program approved by TDHS; b. If the individual is not actively participating in a substance abuse treatment program approved by TDHS, is currently enrolled in such a program, but is on a waiting list for participation, and enters the treatment program at the ﬁrst opportunity; or c. Veriﬁcation that the individual has satisfactorily completed a substance abuse program approved by TDHS; or d. Veriﬁcation that an individual has been determined by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) to not need substance abuse treatment according to TennCare guidelines. i. A listing of such programs may be found on the Tennessee Department of Health’s webpage under the Substance Abuse Treatment Provider Directory. ii. Other treatment programs not covered in this deﬁnition may be considered on a case- by-case basis by contacting the SNAP Policy Unit in the state oﬃce. e. Individuals that received treatment in a state other than Tennessee, this deﬁnition extends to a substance abuse treatment program licensed or approved by the appropriate state agency where the individual received treatment. Other treatment programs not covered by this deﬁnition may be considered on a case-by-case basis by contacting the SNAP Policy Unit. f. Exemption from disqualiﬁcation from program participation does not apply to persons convicted of a Class A drug-related felony (or its equivalent if convicted in another state). g. Individuals with a judicial diversion for Class E felony drug charges, who are cooperating with the court or have successfully completed the probationary period, are eligible to receive SNAP beneﬁts if other eligibility criteria are met. These individuals are not required to meet the eligibility criteria for non-Class A felons unless the requirements are imposed by the court. For individuals convicted of certain crimes, ﬂeeing felons, and probation/parole violators, staﬀ shall refer to the supporting document Drug Felons, Noncompliant Felons, Fleeing Felons, and Probation or Parole Violators.

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Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 7 There are certain ways to treat the resources, income, and deductible expenses of excluded household members. On the ways to treat the income, resources, income, and deductible expenses of excluded household members, refer to Treatment of Income, Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded Household Members. Length of Penalty 1. Individuals found to have made a fraudulent statement of representation with respect to identity or residence in order to receive multiple beneﬁts simultaneously are disqualiﬁed for ten (10) years. 2. If determined to be a ﬂeeing felon or a probation/parole violator, the individual is disqualiﬁed for the duration of time they are considered ﬂeeing or in violation. 3. If the individual has a ﬁrst (1st) violation with a ﬁnding by a federal, state, or local court for the trading of beneﬁts for a controlled substance, the individual is disqualiﬁed for a period of twenty-four (24) months. 4. An individual who has a second (2nd) violation with a ﬁnding by a federal, state, or local court for the trading of beneﬁts for a controlled substance; ﬁrst violation based upon a ﬁnding by a federal, state, or local court for the trading of ﬁrearms, ammunition, or explosives for beneﬁts; convicted of a felony oﬀense which occurred after August 22, 1996, and involving the possession, use or distribution of a controlled substance, except as provided in the section entitled, Section G Excluded Household Member. is permanently disqualiﬁed from SNAP. 5. Individuals found by a federal, state, or local court to have used or received beneﬁts in a transaction involving the sale of ﬁrearms, ammunition, or explosives shall be permanently ineligible to participate upon the ﬁrst occasion of such violation. 6. Individuals convicted by a federal, state, or local court of having traﬃcked beneﬁts for an aggregate amount of ﬁve hundred dollars ($500) or more shall be permanently ineligible to participate upon the ﬁrst occasion of such violation. Supporting Documents Policy 24.27 SNAP Students in Higher Education Scenarios for Non-Household Members Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members Drug Felons, Noncompliant Felons, Fleeing Felons, and Probation or Parole Violators Treatment of Income, Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded Household Members

(24-07)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 7 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition ADH Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing ADW Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Waiver Boarders An individual residing with others to whom he/she is paying reasonable compensation for lodging and meals. IPV Intentional Program Violation Live-in Attendants An individual who resides with a household to provide medical, housekeeping, child-care, or other similar personal services. Non-Household Members An individual(s) residing within a household that is not considered a household member when determining eligibility and allotment amount for SNAP. Roomers An individual to whom a household furnishes lodging, but not meals, for compensation. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SSN Social Security Number Substance Abuse Treatment Program Substance abuse program licensed by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services TDMHSAS Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Supersedes Policy 24.07 SNAP Non-household Members and Excluded Members eﬀ. date 12/31/2019 Authority 7 CFR §273.1; 7 CFR §273.11 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-2-.02 Application TDHS Family Assistance Staﬀ and Contractors

(24-07)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Non-Household Members and Excluded Household Members Policy 24.07 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 7 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 07/29/2022 09/01/2022 Excluded Household members Updated clariﬁcation for violent oﬀenders under excluded household members. Added a supporting document on the procedures for determining individuals who are felons as described in Excluded Household Members sections #9, #10, and #12. 12/12/2019 12/31/2019 N/A New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 07/29/2022 09/01/2022 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 12/12/2019 12/31/2019 Current Approver

(24-08)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.08 SNAP Enumeration Requirement#

(24-08)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 04/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 3 SNAP Enumeration Requirement Policy 24.08 Eﬀective: April 15, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall comply with Federal enumeration requirements for all SNAP applicants. Scope This policy was developed to outline the requirements for obtaining and verifying a social security number (SSN) of all SNAP recipients to ensure compliance with Federal enumeration requirements. Policy As a condition of eligibility for SNAP, the Social Security Number (SSN) or an application for an SSN for all household members receiving or applying to receive beneﬁts must be obtained. TDHS staﬀ must inform all applicants of these regulations to provide an SSN or apply for one and that the SSN will be used for the administration of SNAP only. Any individual who is unable to provide their SSN or does not have one can apply at the Social Security Administration for an SSN to be issued. TDHS staﬀ will assist customers with the application for an SSN, if requested. A verbal statement providing the SSN is suﬃcient if the SSN is validated through data exchange. If the SSN is not validated, TDHS staﬀ must obtain documentation of the individual’s SSN. Acceptable documentation includes an SS card or other correspondence from SSA containing the individual’s name and account number. If the SSN is unknown or has never been obtained, the individual must either, a) apply for one through the local SSA oﬃce (in person or online), or b) provide proof of an application for an SSN through the enumeration process at birth. TDHS staﬀ must request the SSN at any future contact until SSN is provided when the application for an SSN has been made. In the case of a newborn, the household has six months from the birth month or until the next recertiﬁcation, whichever is later, to provide the SSN for the newborn. Any individual who refuses or fails to provide a valid SSN or an application for an SSN to TDHS will be determined to be an ineligible household member. Customers who can show that they

(24-08)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Enumeration Requirement

Policy 24.08 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 04/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 3 have made every eﬀort to supply the Social Security Administration with the information necessary to obtain an SSN and have not been issued an SSN or SS5 may be granted good cause for failure to comply. Supporting Documents Required Veriﬁcations Policy 24.07 SNAP Non-household Members and Excluded Household Members Treatment of Income, Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded Household Members Enumeration Veriﬁcation Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Application or Application Form An application is a form prescribed by DHS and/or approved by FNS containing prescribed information which is submitted to the County Oﬃce of the DHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, designated agent or authorized representative. For SNAP purposes, an initial application is the ﬁrst month for which the household applies for participation, following any period during which the household was not certiﬁed for participation in SNAP. Enumeration The Social Security Administration is responsible for the assigning of Social Security numbers, a process called enumeration. Excluded Household Members Excluded members are deﬁned as individuals who do not meet the citizenship or eligible alien status; individuals who are disqualiﬁed for failure to provide or apply for an SSN; and individuals disqualiﬁed for intentional program violations. Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a household. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SSN Social Security Number SSA Social Security Administration TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes Chapter 7 of the SNAP Manual, Effective 7/13/2017

(24-08)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Enumeration Requirement

Policy 24.08 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 04/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 3 Authority 7 CFR §§ 273.6, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 71-5-305, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-3-.15 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 04/01/2021 04/15/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 04/01/2021 04/15/2021 Current Approver

(24-09)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.09 SNAP Citizenship Requirement#

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Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/01/2020 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 SNAP Citizenship Requirement Policy 24.09 Eﬀective: August 1, 2020 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall conﬁrm all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) household members meet federal and state guidelines for citizenship and alien status requirements. Scope This policy was developed to outline the requirements for obtaining and verifying eligibility based on Citizenship and Alien status for all SNAP recipients. Policy As a condition of eligibility to receive SNAP, an individual must be a citizen of the United States, or a qualiﬁed alien who has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence Verifying Citizenship An applicant’s statement that all members of the household are U.S. Citizens will be verified only when the statement is inconsistent or questionable with other information on the application, on previous applications, or on other documented information known to the worker. When an applicant’s statement that one or more of the household member’s citizenship is questionable, the worker will ask the person to provide acceptable verification of citizenship. Acceptable forms of verification include birth certificates, religious records, voter registration cards, certificates of citizenship or naturalization provided by United Status of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as Identification Cards for use of Resident Citizens in the U.S., or U.S. passports. USCIS documents are the primary source for verifying alien status. A Qualifying Alien Status of any individual applying for SNAP must be verified prior to approval or certification. The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system will be used to validate the alien’s documents and status. Individuals that are not US Citizens or qualified aliens, or if the worker is unable to verify immigration status, are ineligible to receive benefits. The income of the excluded household

(24-09)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Citizenship Requirements

Policy 24.09 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/01/2020 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 member must be prorated evenly among the remaining household members. The resources of the excluded household member must be counted in full to the remaining household members. If it is questionable that a household member is a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien, prompt action shall be taken on the SNAP application to treat the member as an excluded household member until it can be verified the member is eligible. An assistance group with a member who does not meet the criteria of citizenship or alien status will not prevent the remainder of the SNAP household from applying for and, if eligible, receiving benefits. Supporting Documents Qualiﬁed Aliens (Internal Use Only) Sponsored Aliens (Internal Use Only) Alien Status Desk Guide (Internal Use Only) SNAP Policy 24.07: SNAP Non-HH Members and Excluded HH Members (Internal Use Only) Treatment of Income, Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded HH Members (Internal Use Only) Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-HH Members (Internal Use Only)

(24-09)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Citizenship Requirements

Policy 24.09 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/01/2020 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Applicant 1. An applicant is a person who has submitted a completed and signed document prescribed by TDHS requesting SNAP, and/or a form approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) containing at least a legible name, address and a signature to request SNAP for the household of which he/she is a member. 2. An authorized representative or designated agent may actually ﬁle the application provided they have been authorized to do so by the head of the household, spouse, or other responsible household member. Application or Application Form An application is a form prescribed by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and/or approved by FNS containing prescribed information which is submitted to the County Oﬃce of the TDHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, designated agent or authorized representative. For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purposes, an initial application is the ﬁrst month for which the household applies for participation, following any period during which the household was not certiﬁed for participation in SNAP. Household A household is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a household. SAVE Systematic Alien Veriﬁcation for Entitlements SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services U.S. United States USCIS United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual Chapter 6, Effective 7/13/2017; Bulletin No. 5 FA-10-03; Bulletin No. 35 FA-07-16; Bulletin No. 11 FA-09-09; Bulletin No. 41 FA-09-20 Authority 7 CFR §§ 273.4, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 71-5-305, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-3-.08-14 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors

(24-09)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Citizenship Requirements

Policy 24.09 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/01/2020 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 07/27/2020 08/01/2020 New Policy Information pulled from previous manual. No major content changes. Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 07/27/2020 08/01/2020 Current Approver

(24-10)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.10 SNAP Residency Requirements#

(24-10)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 5 SNAP Residency Requirements Policy 24.10 Eﬀective: July 1, 2019 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall meet federal and state guidelines in regards to residency requirements of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) clients to determine eligibility for beneﬁts. Scope To provide procedures and guidelines for staﬀ to ensure compliance in determining the residency of applicants/clients for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, along with maintenance of that compliance to remain eligible for assistance. In doing so, staﬀ will be responsible for considering the deﬁnition of a resident, the termination of residency, how to report an address, and the veriﬁcation of residency. Policy A. Residency Requirement 1. As a condition of eligibility to receive beneﬁts in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the household (HH) must reside in Tennessee. 2. No individual may receive beneﬁts as a member of more than one (1) HH or in more than one (1) county or state within the same month. However, there is one (1) exception to the residency requirement. Individuals may participate as members of more than one HH if such persons are residents of a shelter for battered persons and children and were members of a HH containing the person who had subjected them to abuse. (Refer to Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements). 3. There is no durational residency requirement in SNAP. Residence does not mean intent to reside permanently.

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Subject: SNAP Residency Requirements

Policy 24.10 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 5 B. Deﬁnition of a Resident 1. A resident is an individual who lives in the state of Tennessee and in the county where they receive beneﬁts. 2. A permanent dwelling or ﬁxed mailing address is not required. 3. Residence does not mean intent to reside permanently in the county and a durational requirement cannot be imposed on the HH. 4. Persons in the county solely for short term vacations are not considered residents of that county. C. Termination of Residence 1. When the county becomes aware that a SNAP recipient leaves the state or the country the case must be closed. a. If the HH is a simpliﬁed reporting (SR) HH they are not required to report a change in residency except at the time of SR and at recertiﬁcation. b. If the HH is not SR the HH is required to report the change within ten (10) days. 2. SNAP recipients may transfer from county to county within the state and remain eligible for beneﬁts without interruption. They can report this change on HS-2302 Change Report. Refer to Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual, effective 07/13/2017. Refer to desk guide County-to-County Transfers on how to transfer cases. D. Documenting Addresses Staff shall refer to Documenting Addresses in ACCENT and Returned Mail for the procedure on how to document when a client reports an address. E. Veriﬁcation 1. The eligibility counselor will verify residence prior to certiﬁcation, except in unusual cases where veriﬁcation of residency cannot reasonably be accomplished. Unusual cases are migrant farm worker HHs, homeless HHs or HHs newly arrived in a county who may not be able to verify their residency prior to certiﬁcation or individuals participating in the Safe at Home (SAH) Address Confidentiality Program. a. In these cases, the HH’s statement that it resides in the county may be the only veriﬁcation available. b. Beneﬁts should not be denied to these individuals if they are unable to provide veriﬁcation of residence. c. Refer to Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program for procedures on verifying information from participants in the SAH program. 2. Veriﬁcation of residency should be accomplished, to the extent possible, in conjunction with the veriﬁcation of other information.

(24-10)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Residency Requirements

Policy 24.10 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 5 Other information includes, but is not limited to rent and mortgage payments, utility expenses, and identity. 3. If veriﬁcation cannot be accomplished in conjunction with the veriﬁcation of other information, the eligibility counselor will use a collateral contact or other readily available documentary evidence. 4. Documents used to verify other factors of eligibility may suﬃce to verify residency as well. 5. Any documents or collateral contacts which reasonably establish the applicant’s residency must be accepted, and no requirement for a speciﬁc type of veriﬁcation may be imposed. 6. No durational residency requirement will be established. 7. When evidence is necessary to establish residence, documents with the HH’s address are the primary source of veriﬁcation, although collateral contacts and/or home visits may be used if documentary evidence cannot be obtained. 8. The individual may supply the veriﬁcation in the form of documentation, such as a driver’s license, rent receipt, utility or other recently received bill, voter registration card, or similar means. 9. Veriﬁcation shall not be limited to a single document and assistance in obtaining veriﬁcation may be necessary. 10.In addition to valid addresses, the county should be alert to duplicate addresses. While it is possible for more than one HH to occupy a given residence, duplicate addresses may constitute a questionable circumstance and may require veriﬁcation. 11.Home visits may be used as veriﬁcation of residency only if documentary evidence cannot be obtained and the visit is scheduled in advance with the SNAP HH. 12.A collateral contact is a verbal and/or written conﬁrmation of a HH’s circumstances by a person outside of the HH who is in a position to know the facts. The collateral contact may be made either in person, over the telephone, or by correspondence. The acceptability of a collateral contact will not be restricted to a particular individual, but may be anyone who can be expected to provide an accurate third party veriﬁcation of the HH’s statement. 13.When information from another source contradicts statements made by the HH, the HH will be aﬀorded a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy prior to an eligibility determination. If discrepancies cannot be resolved in a reasonable period of time, beneﬁts will be denied/terminated.

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Subject: SNAP Residency Requirements

Policy 24.10 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 5 Supporting Documents National Change of Address (NCOA) Match, GRPA41B Required Veriﬁcations Policy 24.06 SNAP Special Living Arrangements County-To-County Transfers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual, eﬀective 07/13/2017- Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities Documenting Addresses in ACCENT and Returned Mail Safe at Home Address Conﬁdentiality Program HS-2302e Change Report (English) (instructions) HS-2302sp Change Report (Spanish) (instructions) HS-2302a Change Report (Arabic) (instructions) HS-2302s Change Report (Somali) (instructions) Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Durational residency A legal rule requiring a person to be a state resident for a certain period of time. Homeless An individual who lacks a ﬁxed and regular nighttime residence or an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is one (1) of the following: 1. A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter (including a welfare hotel or congregate shelter) designed to provide temporary living accommodations; 2. An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; 3. A temporary accommodation for not more than ninety (90) days in the residence of another individual; or 4. A public or private place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. HH Household NCOA National Change of Address SAH Safe at Home Address Conﬁdentiality Program SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SR Simpliﬁed Reporting TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes Chapter 5: Residence of the SNAP Policy Manual eﬀective July 13, 2017

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Subject: SNAP Residency Requirements

Policy 24.10 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 5 Authority CFR 7 §273.3; §273.2 Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-5-303 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-03-.02[Residence]; 1240-01-03-.06[Veriﬁcation] Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/10/2019 07/01/2019 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 06/10/2019 07/01/2019 Current Approver

(24-11)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.11 SNAP Work Requirements#

(24-11)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 19 SNAP Work Requirements Policy 24.11 Eﬀective: March 1, 2023 Introduction Certain recipients receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneﬁts are required to either meet a speciﬁc work requirement or meet the criteria for an exemption. Scope The purpose of this policy is to identify SNAP recipients who have to register for work, who have work requirements, who are exempt from work registration and work requirements, and the procedures when a customer does not meet these requirements. Policy Work Registration 1. Each household member who is not otherwise exempt from work registration requirements must register for employment prior to certiﬁcation for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and once a year thereafter. 2. Persons losing their exemption due to a change that is required to be reported by the household must register for work as a condition of continued eligibility for SNAP. 3. Registration is accomplished when a SNAP application is signed. The adult who signs the application registers all individuals in the SNAP unit for work who are required to register for work. 4. For each intake and renewal interview, staﬀ will need to provide The SNAP Consolidated Work Notice in the procedure manual to the customer and have a discussion over the requirements by using the Work Requirements Oral Script form.

(24-11)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 19 Work Registration and Employment Training Requirements The eligibility counselor must take the following steps to complete the work registration and Employment & Training (E&T) and referral process. To determine the difference between work registration and E&T staff shall refer to Difference Between Work Registration and Employment & Training in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual. 1. Explain to the household: a. the statement on the application concerning E&T; b. the work requirements; c. the rights and responsibilities of the registrants; and d. the consequences of failure to comply. 2. The eligibility counselor must screen the customer prior to referring them to E&T to ensure a valid referral is made. The screening tool can be found in in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual under section for Screening Process for Employment and Training (E&T). 3. Staff shall refer to Registering and Deregistering Customers from E&T in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual for the steps to register or deregister a customer from the E&T program and how to determine the date of deregistration. Exemptions from Work Registration and E&T Components Individuals are exempt from work registration and E&T if they meet the criteria for any of the categories below: (Note these are federal exemptions. They are exempt from both E&T and Abled Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)). 1. Individuals younger than age sixteen (16) or age sixty (60) or older are exempt. If a child becomes age sixteen (16) within the certiﬁcation period, he/she will be required to fulﬁll the work registration requirements at recertiﬁcation, unless the child qualiﬁes for another exemption. 2. Age sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) A person aged sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) is exempt from work registration if the individual: a. is not the head of the household; or b. is attending school; or c. is enrolled in an employment training program on at least a half-time basis. 3. Physically or mentally unﬁt for employment. Individuals who are either physically or mentally unﬁt for employment are exempt. Veriﬁcation of Unﬁtness: Acceptable veriﬁcation includes, but is not limited to: a. a receipt of temporary or permanent disability beneﬁts issued by governmental or private sources (i.e., Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), workmen's compensation, Veterans’ Administration (VA) beneﬁts, etc.);

(24-11)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 19 b. a statement from a physician or a licensed or certiﬁed psychologist which indicates the length of disability; c. an approval for vocational rehabilitation services; or d. a veriﬁed application for SSI (a federal exemption). 4. Families First (FF) Work Registrant If the recipient is mandatory for Families First work component and is compliant, he/she will be exempt from work registration. 5. Caretaker a. Exempt a parent or other household member who is responsible for the care of a dependent child under age six (6) or for the care of an incapacitated person. b. If the child becomes age six (6) during the certiﬁcation period, the household member must register at recertiﬁcation, unless the individual qualiﬁes for another exemption. c. If a parent and another household member claim to be responsible for the care of the same dependent child or incapacitated person, the worker must discuss the responsibility with the applicant and determine who is actually responsible for providing the care. d. Only one person may claim the caretaker exemption for a dependent. If more than one dependent person is cared for, then more than one person may be responsible. e. The care does not have to be provided to a household member. The person can live in another residence. f. If veriﬁcation is needed, it is important to know how often the customer is caring for the disabled individual and who the disabled individual is to verify they are actually providing the care. Ways that can be accomplished are through a written statement from the disabled individual, calling the individual the customer is providing care to or their family or collateral contacts. 6. Applicants or recipients of Unemployment Compensation a. A person who receives unemployment compensation is exempt. Persons who have applied for unemployment compensation are exempt if they were required to register for work with the local Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) oﬃce as part of the unemployment compensation application process. Verify the exemption with the appropriate TDLWD oﬃce, if questionable. b. Veriﬁcation - The individual's notice of approval for unemployment compensation beneﬁts, the Tennessee Clearinghouse System or Data Exchange Unemployment Compensation (DEUC) screen on the Automated Client Certiﬁcation and Eligibility Network for Tennessee (ACCENT) may be used to verify the receipt of beneﬁts. 7. Participation in Drug/Alcohol Rehabilitation Program a. Regular participants in drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program either on a resident or non-resident basis.

(24-11)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 19 b. Veriﬁcation - The regular participation of an individual in an alcohol or drug treatment and rehabilitation program may be veriﬁed through the organization or institution operating the program. 8. Migrant and seasonal farm workers, if they are under contract or similar agreement with an employer to begin employment within thirty (30) days. a. There are conditions that could prevent migrants with secured employment that do not aﬀect the person’s exemption from work registration. b. Examples include, but are not limited to, inclement weather, delays in crops, etc. 9. Employed and Self-Employed Employed/self-employed individuals are exempt as follows: a. persons who are employed or self-employed and work a minimum of thirty (30) hours weekly; or b. persons who are employed/self-employed and receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty (30) hours or is a youth under age twenty (20) receiving a training wage mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FSLA) of 1989 (Limited to ninety (90) day period): or i. persons who have ﬂuctuating work hours but work an average of thirty (30) hours per week or receive average weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty (30) hours; or ii. The average should be based on the information used to compute the budget income. Veriﬁcation of Employment - When the employment status is questionable, the amount of income received from employment may be used to establish the work registration exemption. The amount must be consistent with wages paid for a thirty (30) hour workweek, based on the general conditions prevailing in the community. Veriﬁcation of Self-Employment - When income does not conclusively reﬂect thirty (30) hours a week employment, and the applicant still claims to be self-employed, establish the following: a) that the income received from the self-employment enterprise is at least suﬃcient to be consistent with wages for a thirty (30) hour work week, based on the general conditions prevailing in the community; and b) that the volume of work claimed justiﬁes a determination that the self-employment enterprise is a full-time job for the purposes of this exemption. The household must cooperate in providing adequate documentation to substantiate the claim that someone is self-employed. 10.Students a. Eligible students enrolled at least half-time in any recognized school (including high school), training program, or institutions of higher education are exempt from work registration.

(24-11)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 19 b. These students will remain exempt during normal periods of class attendance, recesses, and vacations, provided that they intend to return to school when the recess or vacation is over. c. If the student graduates, is suspended, expelled, drops out, or does not intend to register for the next normal school term (excluding summer), he/she no longer eligible for this exemption. Identiﬁed Exemptions to Employment & Training Work Components Conditions that may qualify as an exemption from E&T, include: 1. Temporary illness or injury- an illness or injury of the individual that is temporary in nature and is obvious or veriﬁed; 2. Temporary disability- disability is temporary in nature and is obvious or veriﬁed; 3. Temporary emergency- may be a family emergency, such as illness or disaster, or an emergency related to the job; 4. On call – back to job- examples include, but are not limited to temporary layoﬀ or temporary shutdown; 5. No access to transportation (the individual does not have a reliable vehicle, there is no public transportation available, or the individual does not have the resources to use public transportation or purchase gas). 6. Other exemptions approved by State oﬃce. a. The individual resides in a non-funded E&T county; b. Homeless individuals who do not have a ﬁxed residence are considered to have a barrier that prohibits their participation in E&T Program, however they can still volunteer to participate; c. If the customer does not meet any state or federal exemption or barrier, and does not volunteer to go to TDLWD; d. Other approved condition – DHS will explore federal exemptions if the individual does not meet a federal exemption, eligibility counselors shall explore other state barriers. Eligibility Counselor Responsibilities At application, recertification, and when an individual is registered for work during the certification period, the eligibility counselor will explain the work requirements to the customer, including the household’s rights and responsibilities and the consequences of failure to comply. 1. The individual will be appropriately coded on the work program screen (AEIWP) using the SNAP Work Codes. 2. When a referral date is put on AEIWP, a referral will be sent to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) for the voluntary and/or mandatory participant. 3. Appropriate action and documentation will be completed upon receipt of information from TDLWD regarding the participant.

(24-11)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 19 4. The eligibility counselor must deregister an individual from work registration when the individual: a. was registered but later the application was actually denied; or b. has a work program sanction or fails to comply with a work program requirement; or c. if TDLWD is unable to place that individual into a suitable work activity (see also Employment and Training (E&T) Provider Determinations in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual for more info); or d. obtains a job working thirty (30) hours per week or have earnings equal to federal minimum wage times thirty (30); or e. leaves assistance; or f. becomes otherwise exempt. Work Registrant’s Responsibilities Currently Tennessee is operating under a Voluntary E&T program. If the state returns to a mandatory program, then mandatory work registrants must: 1. participate in an employment and training program if assigned to mandatory E&T by the department; 2. respond to a request for supplemental information regarding employment status or availability for work; 3. report to an employer when referred by the TDLWD as long as the potential employment meets the suitability requirements ―Unsuitable Employment; and 4. accept a bona ﬁde oﬀer of employment unless the employment is unsuitable (See the section below for Unsuitable Employment). Unsuitable Employment Any employment will be considered unsuitable if: 1. The wage oﬀered is less than eighty (80%) percent of the federal minimum wage; 2. The training wage shall be substituted for the minimum wage for persons under age twenty (20) receiving the training wage mandated by the FLSA. This is limited to a ninety (90) day period; 3. The employment oﬀered is on a piece-rate basis, and the average hourly yield the employee reasonably can expect to earn is less than the applicable hourly wages speciﬁed above; 4. The household member is required to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any legitimate labor organization; 5. The work oﬀered is at a site subject to a strike or lockout at the time of the oﬀer, unless the strike has been enjoined under Section 208 of the Labor-Management Relations Act (commonly known as the Taft-Hartley Act), or unless an injunction has been issued under Section 10 of the Railway Labor Act;

(24-11)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 19 6. The risk to health and safety is unreasonable; 7. The household member is physically or mentally unﬁt to perform the employment. Document the medical evidence or reliable information from other sources; 8. The employment oﬀered within the ﬁrst thirty (30) days of registration is not in the registrant's major ﬁeld of experience. Oﬀers after thirty (30) days must be accepted; 9. The distance from the registrant's home to the place of employment is unreasonable, such as: a. daily commuting exceeds two (2) hours per day, not including the transportation of a child to and from a childcare facility; b. public and private transportation is unavailable and the distance to the place of employment is too far to walk; or c. the cost of transportation to the job site is excessive based on the expected wage. 10.The working hours or nature of the employment interferes with the household member's religious observance, convictions, or beliefs; 11.Other good reasons that justify a conclusion that employment is unsuitable. 12.The determination of unsuitable employment will be based on the above listed criteria and any additional criteria established in the SNAP E&T program. Deregistration from Employment & Training The eligibility counselor must be sure to deregister an individual when appropriate. The individuals should be deregistered when the person: 1. was registered but later the application was actually denied; or 2. has a work program sanction or fails to comply with a work program requirement; or 3. obtains a job working thirty (30) hours per week or have earnings equal to federal minimum wage times thirty (30); or 4. no longer a SNAP recipient; or 5. ABAWD Non-Compliant; or 6. becomes otherwise exempt Employment & Training Components 1. Each work registrant will be reviewed. 2. Mandatory work registrants and volunteers may be assigned or exempted from work components. 3. Currently E&T is oﬀered in all 95 counties. All counties will not have the same component because the number of participants will vary due to county size.

(24-11)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 19 Failure to Comply with Work Components 1. Disqualify the individual for the appropriate period when the individual refuses or fails to comply, without good cause, with any of the following work requirements: a. registration for employment at application and every recertiﬁcation thereafter; or b. accepting an oﬀer of employment; or c. providing one department with suﬃcient information to allow TDHS to determine the employment status or the job availability of the individual; or d. voluntarily quits a job or reduces work eﬀort to less than thirty (30) hours per week. (See Voluntary Quit section below for further explanation of Voluntary Quit). 2. When a person in a mandatory SNAP E&T county is exempt from the SNAP work requirement because of participation in a FF work component or unemployment compensation work requirement fails to comply with the FF work requirements, the eligibility counselor must evaluate the individual for SNAP E&T. If the person is not otherwise exempt from the SNAP E&T requirement, then he/she is non-compliant and must be sanctioned. 3. If the individual fails to comply with a FF work requirement but does not have a SNAP work requirement, he/she is not subject to a SNAP sanction. However, since the individual did fail to comply with the FF requirement, the SNAP allotment will be reduced by ten (10%) percent as a penalty. 4. The SNAP sanctions for E&T non-compliance only apply to mandatory E&T participants. Non-Compliance by a Mandatory Household Member An individual is considered non-compliant with work requirements if they refuse any of the work components listed below: 1. to register for employment at application and every 12 months thereafter; 2. to participate in an employment and/or training program if considered a mandatory participant; 3. to accept an oﬀer of employment (Note: To ensure the oﬀer is suitable, See the section below for Unsuitable Employment); 4. to provide TDHS or its designee, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD) with suﬃcient information to determine the employment status or the job availability of the individual; or 5. voluntarily quits a job or reduces work hours to less than thirty (30) hours per week. If the individual refuses or fails to comply with the above requirements, the eligibility counselor must evaluate the individual to determine the next appropriate steps. Determining Good Cause for Failure to Comply with the Work Requirements 1. When a voluntary participant or an individual who is exempt from the work requirements fails to comply with their work requirement, the eligibility counselor does not have to determine good cause for failure to comply with the work requirements.

(24-11)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 19 2. When a mandatory Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) E&T or work registrant fails to comply with his/her work requirement, the eligibility counselor must contact the household and determine whether good cause exists for failure to comply. 3. Staﬀ shall refer to Determining Good Cause in the procedure manual on whether good cause exists for failure to comply with the work requirements. Disqualiﬁcation When a mandatory participant who does not have good cause fails to cooperate with the SNAP work requirements, he/she will be disqualiﬁed. 1. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Disqualiﬁcations in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual on how to disqualify an individual in ACCENT for not cooperating with the work requirements. 2. Before applying the appropriate penalty review the circumstances to determine if good cause exists for failure to comply with the work requirements, using the Determining Good Cause in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual. 3. Staﬀ shall refer to Registering and Deregistering Clients from E&T in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual when an individual stops participating with E&T needs to be deregistered. A voluntary participant who does not have good cause will not be disqualiﬁed. Ending the Disqualiﬁcation for a Mandatory Participant 1. An individual shall be disqualiﬁed for the appropriate time period listed in SNAP Disqualiﬁcations. 2. If an individual has failed to comply at the end of the minimum disqualiﬁcation period, the disqualiﬁcation shall continue until the individual cures the disqualiﬁcation or becomes exempt from work registration requirements. 3. To cure the disqualiﬁcation, the individual must comply with the work requirement. The minimum period of the disqualiﬁcation must be served, even if the individual complies before the time period expires. 4. The disqualiﬁcation will end, regardless of whether the minimum disqualiﬁcation period has been served, when the individual meets one of the exemptions from work registration and E&T components above. Non-Compliance with Work Requirements in Families First 1. When an individual fails to comply with the Families First (FF) work requirements, the eligibility counselor must evaluate the individual to determine if a ten percent (10%) penalty or sanction should be applied. 2. If the individual is a voluntary participant or meets another exemption to the SNAP Work Requirement, the SNAP allotment will be reduced by a ten percent (10%) penalty. Since a ten percent (10%) penalty was applied, a sanction would not be applied.

(24-11)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 19 3. If the individual is a mandatory SNAP E&T participant and they do not meet any other exemption in the SNAP E&T Program, the participant will be sanctioned and removed from the SNAP budget. Since a sanction was applied, a ten percent (10%) penalty would not be applied. 4. The FF household which does not comply with the FF work requirement will not have both a SNAP sanction and a SNAP ten percent (10%) penalty. Voluntary Quit No individual who voluntarily quits his/her most recent job of at least thirty (30) hours per week or voluntarily reduces his/her work hours to less than thirty (30) hours per week will be eligible to participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), unless there is a good cause reason. When the household ﬁles an application, or when a participating household reports a job loss or reduction in the number of hours, the eligibility counselor must determine whether this is a voluntary quit or voluntary reduction in hours. Voluntary quit will be applied when; 1. The employment was for thirty (30) hours or more per week or provided weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty (30) hours. 2. The voluntary reduction of hours caused employment to be less than thirty (30) hours per week by the individual. 3. For applicant households, the quit or reduction of hours occurred within sixty (60) days prior to the date of application or anytime thereafter prior to the disposition of the case. 4. For participating households, the quit or reduction occurred while the individual was participating in the program. 5. Federal, State, or Local Government employees who participates in a strike against such governments and is dismissed from their job because of participation in the strike, shall be considered to have voluntarily quit their job without good cause. Good Cause for Quitting a Job or Reducing Hours of Employment Good cause for quitting a job or reducing the hours of employment includes, but is not limited to the following: 1. The job is determined to be unsuitable; 2. Circumstances beyond the individual’s control, such as illness, illness of another household member which requires the individual’s presence, a household emergency, or unavailability of transportation; 3. Discrimination by an employer based on age, sex, race, color, handicap, religious beliefs, national origin, or political beliefs; 4. Work demands or conditions that render continued employment unreasonable, such as working without being paid on schedule;

(24-11)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 19 5. Enrollment at least half-time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education that requires the household member to leave employment or reduce work hours; 6. Another household member has accepted employment or enrolled at least half- time in a recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education in another county, which requires the household to relocate; 7. Resignation by a person under age sixty (60) which is recognized by the employer as retirement; 8. The individual accepted a bona ﬁde oﬀer of employment of more than thirty (30) hours a week or in which the weekly earnings are equivalent to the Federal minimum wage multiplied by thirty (30) hours. However, because of circumstances beyond the individual’s control, the new job does not materialize or results in employment of less than thirty (30) hours per week or weekly earnings of less than thirty (30) times the Federal minimum wage; or 9. The individual left a job in connection with patterns of employment in which workers frequently move from one employer to another, such as migrant farm labor or construction work. The household may apply for SNAP between jobs, particularly when work is not available at the new job site. In such instances, the individual will be considered to have quit for good cause if this is a normal pattern of that type of employment. Staﬀ shall refer to Applying a Voluntary Quit/Reduction of Work Hours Disqualiﬁcation in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual when disqualifying an applicant or participating household from SNAP. Veriﬁcation for Voluntary Quit/Reduction of Hours and Good Cause Determination The household has the primary responsibility for providing veriﬁcation of questionable information related to the voluntary quit/reduction of good cause determination. Staﬀ may refer to Sources to Aid in Verifying Voluntary Quit in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual for ways to verify voluntary quit, reduction of hours, and good cause determination. Ending the Voluntary Quit Disqualification 1. The disqualification of an individual shall be applied for the appropriate time period (Staff shall refer to Applying a Voluntary Quit/Reduction of Work Hours of Disqualification). To become exempt from the disqualification, the individual must meet one (1) of the following federal work requirement exemptions: a. subject to and complies with a work registration requirement under Families First (FF) or Unemployment Compensation; b. parent or other member of a household with responsibility for a dependent child under age six (6) or for an incapacitated person; c. student enrolled at least half-time in any recognized school, training program or institution of higher education; d. regular participant in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation program;

(24-11)(page-12)Page 12#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 19 e. employed a minimum of thirty (30) hours per week or receives weekly earnings which will equal the minimum hourly wage rate multiplied by thirty (30) hours; or; f. between the ages of sixteen (16) and eighteen (18) and who is not head of a household or is attending school or enrolled in an employment training program at least half-time. g. physically or mentally unfit for employment Please be advised once the individual becomes exempt they are potentially eligible for SNAP again. They do not have to serve the minimum disqualification period. When the Voluntary Quit Provision Does Not Apply 1. A voluntary quit or voluntary reduction for an applicant HH occurred more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of application, unless the HH was receiving beneﬁts at the time of the quit or reduction, and TDHS did not learn about it until reapplication; 2. The individual was on leave from a paid position of employment pursuant to the provisions of the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, unless the individual does not return to work at the end of the period of leave; 3. An involuntary reduction of work hours is imposed; 4. The individual terminates a self-employment enterprise; 5. The individual resigns from a job at the demand of the employer; 6. The HH member who quits his/her job, secures new employment at comparable wages or hours, and is then laid oﬀ, or through no fault of his/her own loses the new job. In this instance the earlier quit will not require his/her disqualiﬁcation. Consideration must be given to new employment which might entail fewer hours or a lower salary, but which oﬀers greater opportunities to improve job skills or for future advancement. 7. It is determined that the individual quit or reduced his/her hours with good cause; or 8. The individual is exempt from the work requirements provisions at the time of the quit. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependent Children (ABAWD) Adult SNAP household members without a dependent child must meet special eligibility requirements. The work requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are: 1. at least age eighteen (18) but not yet ﬁfty (50) years of age; 2. not in a SNAP household with children under eighteen (18); and 3. not otherwise federally exempt from work registration. ABAWD Exemptions In some instances, the able-bodied adult may be exempt from the ABAWD work requirement. The exemptions for this group of individuals are: 1. Under age eighteen (18) or age ﬁfty (50) or above a. under age eighteen (18) (The child does not have to be in school. The month the person turns eighteen (18) is not a countable month.); or

(24-11)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 19 b. age ﬁfty (50) or above (The month the person turns ﬁfty (50) is not a countable month.). 2. Determined Disabled by Social Security or one hundred (100%) percent disabled by the VA 3. Working with TDLWD a. Individuals participating in a component through the TDLWD for eighty (80) hours per month. b. They must be working with TDLWD in order to receive this exemption. c. A referral is not cause for an exemption but would still be coded a code C until participating in an approved activity. 4. Greater than Ten (10%) Percent Unemployment County speciﬁc; only used with an approved waiver for counties that have greater than ten (10%) percent unemployment (not currently used). 5. Fifteen (15%) Percent Exemption Only allowed to be used for reasons approved by SNAP Policy and on an individualized basis 6. In-kind Work Working twenty (20) hours a week or eighty (80) hours a month in exchange for goods or services not income. a. Job Training and Partnership Act (JTPA/WIOA) Participation in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act b. Responsible for the care of an ill or incapacitated person c. Labor Surplus County speciﬁc; only used with an approved waiver for counties that have a labor surplus; use an individual speciﬁc code if possible before this code. 7. Unﬁt for employment or work programs a. Unﬁt based upon the eligibility worker‘s observations (can be physically or mentally unﬁt). b. A doctor‘s statement is not required if a condition is observable. c. The condition does not have to be for a speciﬁc length of time. d. A customer can be medically certiﬁed as physically or mentally unﬁt for employment by providing a statement from a qualiﬁed professional, or if the customer is receiving VA disability that is anything other than one hundred (100%) percent. 8. Non-Issuance Individual did not receive any SNAP beneﬁts for this month. 9. Dependent children under eighteen (18) in the SNAP household All adults in the SNAP household are exempt from the ABAWD requirement if there is a child under 18 in SNAP household. The child does not have to be related to the adult being

(24-11)(page-14)Page 14#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 14 of 19 exempted. (The child must be in the same sequence. The adult can claim this exemption even if the child is not eligible for beneﬁts.) 10.In Alcohol/Drug Treatment 11.Student enrolled at least half-time in any recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education 12.Trade Adjustment Act Program 13.Unemployment Receiving unemployment compensation or applied for unemployment compensation if they were required to register for work with TDLWD as part of the unemployment compensation application process. 14.Volunteer Work Volunteering for at least twenty (20) hours a week or eighty (80) a month at religious or community events or public/private agencies. 15.Working Individual employed working eighty (80) hours per month [twenty (20) hours a week average monthly] and being paid for such employment. 16.Pregnancy Pregnancy in any month temporarily exempts the person from this work requirement. This does not have to be veriﬁed for SNAP. Do not complete the AEIIM screen unless the details have been veriﬁed. AEIIT can still be coded with a Y without veriﬁcation. Pregnancy needs to be documented in CLRC. 17.0-Proration This code is only to be used if the proration amount is $0. 18.Initial Proration To be used during an initial proration month when the amount is greater than $0. 19.Appeal Customer is receiving a continuation of beneﬁts due to an appeal and their code was X. ABAWD Eligibility An able-bodied adult with no dependents, who does not meet an ABAWD exemption, may be eligible to receive three (3) months of SNAP benefits in a thirty-six (36) month period. Staff may also refer to SNAP ABAWD Process in the SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual for further procedures and examples. The countable months for this group of individuals are: 1. Beneﬁt out of state Out of state countable month(s); considered to be a countable month for Tennessee

(24-11)(page-15)Page 15#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 15 of 19 2. Countable month A countable month; not otherwise exempt; not meeting the work requirement 3. Re-entry month Customer meets re-entry criteria to receive up to three (3) additional consecutive months of ABAWD benefits. Use only when three (3) countable months have been used and no other exemption is applicable. Maintaining Eligibility An individual, who has received his/her initial three-month period of participation within the current thirty-six (36) month ﬁxed period, can become exempt from the ABAWD requirement, or he/she can maintain eligibility by: 1. Working eighty (80) hours per month or more If an individual would have worked an average of twenty (20) hours per week but missed some work for good cause, the individual shall be considered to have met the work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the individual retains his or her job (new employment projected hours may be used from date of application); or 2. completing volunteer work or work for beneﬁts in lieu of wages or a combination of the types of work for at least twenty (20) hours per week; or 3. participating in and complying with a JTPA Program, Trade Adjustment Act Program, or E&T (other than Job Search or Job Search training program) for eighty (80) hours per month or more; or 4. participating in and complying with a state-approved work experience program for 80 hours or more per month; or 5. participating in a Workfare Program through TDLWD (hours are based on allotment). Regaining Eligibility 1. When an individual becomes exempt from the ABAWD twenty (20) hour work requirement (either by a county exemption or personal exemption) or complies with a requirement for thirty (30) days an individual can regain eligibility. The person will remain eligible as long as an exemption exists, or requirement is met. 2. An individual that became ABAWD ineligible, that is not otherwise exempt, shall regain eligibility to participate in SNAP if, during any thirty (30) consecutive days, he or she: a. worked eighty (80) or more hours; or b. participated in and complied with the requirements of a work program for eighty (80) or more hours; or c. any combination of work and participation in a work program for a total of eighty (80) hours; or d. participated in and complied with a workfare program.

(24-11)(page-16)Page 16#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 16 of 19 3. There is no limit on how many times an individual may regain eligibility and subsequently maintain eligibility by meeting the work requirement. 4. If the individual has used the original three (3) months in the thirty-six (36) month period, has regained eligibility and subsequently loses employment or stops working or participating in training or a work experience program, the individual is eligible for up to three (3) consecutive months (beginning the date the county is notiﬁed that work activity has ended). Once initiated, this three (3) month period must be consecutive. The individual is only eligible for one consecutive three (3) month period during the thirty-six (36) months. 5. After the individual has received the months of entitled eligibility and is not exempt or meeting the work requirements, he/she is ineligible for SNAP beneﬁts. The able-bodied individual's resources are counted in their entirety to the remaining SNAP household members. The ineligible ABAWD's income is prorated among all SNAP household members and the ineligible ABAWD member's portion is not counted. The ABAWD individual is not counted in computing the utility standard. ABAWD’s Work Hours Decrease 1. When an individual is exempt from the ABAWD work requirement due to being employed 20 hours per week and the hours decrease, the eligibility counselor will look at the circumstances. 2. Good cause will be determined. 3. The ABAWD shall be considered to have met the work requirement if the absence is temporary and the job is retained. Good Cause Determination 1. If an individual would have worked an average of twenty (20) hours per week but missed some work for good cause, the individual shall be considered to have met the work requirement if the absence from work is temporary and the individual retains his or her job. 2. Good cause shall include circumstances beyond the individual's control, such as, but not limited to, illness, illness of another household member requiring the presence of the member, a household emergency, or the unavailability of transportation. Non-Compliant ABAWD When an ABAWD does not follow through with an appointment or no longer wishes to volunteer in an E&T component as a participant: 1. If the individual has no countable months left and has no other exemptions, he/she is ineligible and must be removed. 2. If an individual is ABAWD only with countable months remaining, no E&T penalty would be applied. 3. When an ABAWD does not follow through with an appointment or component, check to see if he/she is also a mandatory E&T participant.

(24-11)(page-17)Page 17#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 17 of 19 a. If so, follow the E&T procedures for non-compliance with a work program. When someone refuses or fails to comply, the recipient can comply by: i. Registering for employment ii. Participating in E&T iii. Accepting an oﬀer of employment iv. Providing suﬃcient information b. The eligibility counselor will determine if there was good cause. Good cause reasons: i. Individual illness or illness of other household members ii. Household Emergency iii. Lack of Transportation iv. Notiﬁcation was not received v. Unable to make satisfactory progress c. If good cause does not exist, the appropriate penalty is applied. i. 1st Violation – one month ii. 2nd Violation – three months iii. 3rd or Subsequent Violation – six months iv. The sanction is the number of months for the violation or until compliance, whichever is later. ABAWD Closure The ACCENT reason code 654 must be used to authorize the adverse action so that the household will receive the appropriate notice. Supporting Documents SNAP Work Requirements Procedure Manual SNAP Work Codes Work Requirement Oral Script

(24-11)(page-18)Page 18#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 18 of 19 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition ABAWD Able-Bodied Adults without Dependent Children ACCENT Automated Client Certiﬁcation and Eligibility Network for Tennessee Bona ﬁde Made with earnest intent. Countable months Months during which the person is not otherwise exempt from meeting work requirements and is; not meeting the work requirement. DEUC Data Exchange Unemployment Compensation TDLWD Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development E&T Employment and Training FF Families First Fixed clock A deﬁnite start and stop date, starts on a given date and runs continuously for three (3) years, and the state can opt to use individual periods or the same three (3) year period for everyone. FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act Half time enrollment The criteria for determining half time enrollment shall be whatever criteria the institution of higher education has established for half time enrollment. JTPA Job Training and Partnership Act Non-Compliant ABAWD ABAWD that does not follow through with an appointment or required component. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Supersedes Policy 24.11 SNAP Work Requirement eﬀective 6/1/2018, Policy 24.15 SNAP Failure to Comply with Work Requirements eﬀective 1/15/2019, Policy 24.16 SNAP Voluntary Quit eﬀective 1/15/2019 Authority 7 CFR § 273.7 and 7 CFR § 273.24 Application All Family Assistance Employees

(24-11)(page-19)Page 19#

Subject: SNAP Work Requirements

Policy 24.11 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 19 of 19 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 01/30/2023 03/01/2023 Policy Section Updated supporting documents. Added Oral Script supporting document and Screening Process for E&T for workers to discuss. ABAWD Process PUN put into supporting document. Policy 24.15 and 24.16 was added to this policy. 05/09/2018 06/01/2018 New Document Revision of existing manual into policy document. Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence Carter Commissioner 01/30/2023 03/01/2023 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 05/09/2018 06/01/2018 Current Approver

(24-12)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.12 SNAP Resources#

(24-12)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 5 SNAP Resources Policy 24.12 Eﬀective: March 1, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall follow federal and state guidelines regarding resource standards of eligibility for all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicant households. Scope This policy was developed to instruct staﬀ on the resource eligibility standards, how to determine if certain resources should be considered when determining eligibility, and how the equity value of nonexempt liquid and non-liquid resources is determined. Policy The maximum allowable liquid and non-liquid assets for all members of a household must not exceed the uniform national resource standards of eligibility to all applicant households. Households that contain elderly or disabled members have a higher resource limit. And households that are classiﬁed as categorically eligible do not have to meet the resource limits unless the household receives a substantial lottery or gambling winnings. See also Policy 24.13 SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winnings. The maximum allowable resource limit may be adjusted annually. Staﬀ shall refer to the FA standards desk guide for the most up to date standard. Countable Resources The value of the following resources count towards the resource limits in determining SNAP eligibility: 1. Cash on hand; 2. Money in a checking or savings account in a bank or other savings institution, including credit unions. Do not include as a resource the monthly amount which has been counted as income in the period under consideration: 3. Savings certiﬁcates;

(24-12)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Resources

Policy 24.12 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 5 4. Stocks or bonds; 5. Proceeds from the sale of property received as a lump sum; 6. Proceeds from an estate settlement received as a lump sum; 7. Pension plans not covered in Exempt Resource. If the cash value of an excluded type of plan is rolled over into a countable resource, the cash value loses its exclusion and the funds will be included in countable resources; 8. Non-Recurring Lump-Sum or Retroactive Payments (see also Actions on Cases Receiving Lump Sum Payments); 9. Gross monthly earned income tax credits or lump sum Earned Income Tax Credit payments are counted in the second month after receipt for new households, new assistance members, or individuals oﬀ the program for more than thirty (30) days. Also, any amount of Earned Income Tax Credit remaining after the twelve (12) month exclusion must be considered for individuals receiving SNAP beneﬁts; 10.Equity in real property a. Unless otherwise exempt, the equity of all non-liquid resources such as non-exempt buildings, non-exempt land, recreational properties, and property such as boats, vacation homes, or mobile homes is countable. b. The equity value is determined by subtracting encumbrances (such as a mortgage) from the fair market value of the property. When determining the household’s resource level, consider the resources of excluded household members. See also Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded HH members and Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non- Household Members. Exempt Resources Certain resources are not counted when determining eligibility for SNAP. For a list of these exclusions from resources, see SNAP Excluded Resources and Treatment of Vehicles. Verifying Resources Households must report all resources at the time of the interview and at each certification. The Eligibility Counselor will verify all resources and any equity value of all countable resources through documentary evidence or collateral contacts. Documentary evidence is the primary source of verification although collateral contacts (e.g., banks, car dealers, real estate firms, etc.) may also be used to verify any questionable resource. Staff may refer to Verifying Resources, Required Verifications, and FA Standards Desk Guide for assistance with determining and verifying resources. Jointly Owned Resources Resources owned jointly with other person(s) outside the household will be considered available in the entirety to that person and the household unless it can be demonstrated that the resources are inaccessible to the household.

(24-12)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Resources

Policy 24.12 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 5 When the household can demonstrate that resources are not accessible in their entirety and only a portion of the resource, the value of that portion of the resource will be counted toward the resource eligibility level. See also Jointly Owned Resources Transfer of Resources At the time of application, households shall be asked to provide information regarding any resources which any member of the household (or ineligible aliens or disqualified person whose resources are considered available to the household) had transferred within the three (3) month period immediately preceding the date of application. Households that have transferred resources knowingly for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for SNAP benefits shall be disqualified from participation in the program for up to one (1) year from the date of the discovery of the transfer. This disqualification period shall be applied if the resources are transferred knowingly in the three (3) month period prior to application or after the household is determined eligible for benefits. Eligibility for SNAP will not be affected by transfers of resources which: 1. Would not otherwise aﬀect eligibility (example: excluded personal property such as furniture, or of money that when added to other non-exempt resources was less than the allowable limits at the time of the transfer); 2. are sold or traded at or near fair market value; 3. are transferred between members of the same household; or 4. are transferred for reasons other than qualifying or attempting to qualify for SNAP beneﬁts (example: a parent placing funds in an inaccessible educational trust fund). Period of Disqualiﬁcation The length of the disqualification period is based on the amount by which the transferred resource, when added to other countable resources, exceeded resource limits. The following chart will be used to determine the period of disqualification: Amount in Excess of the Resource Limit Period of the Disqualiﬁcation $0.00 to $249.99 1 month $250.00 to $999.99 3 months $1,000.00 to $2,999.99 6 months $3,000.00 to $4,999.99 9 months $5,000.00 and up 12 months An example would be if a one-person household with $1250 in a bank transferred ownership of non-exempt land worth $1350 to a relative. The $1350 would be applied toward the resource

(24-12)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Resources

Policy 24.12 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 5 limit of $2250. All countable resources are $2600 ($1250 + $1350). Only $350 of that transfer would be considered toward the disqualification and the household would be disqualified for three (3) months based upon the chart above. Staff shall reference Disqualifying a Household from SNAP Due to Improper Resource Transfer for the procedures in the event a household knowingly transferred resources for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for SNAP benefits. Supporting Documents Verifying Resources Required Veriﬁcations FA Standards Desk Guide Actions on Cases Receiving Lump Sum Payments SNAP Excluded Resources Jointly Owned Resources Treatment of Vehicles Disqualifying a Household from SNAP Due to Improper Resource Transfer Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded HH members Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Elderly A person sixty (60) years of age or older or is ﬁfty-nine (59) years old on the date of application and will be sixty (60) before the end of the month of application. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes TDHS Policy 24.12 SNAP Resources Effective 09/23/2019, TDHS Policy 24.13 SNAP Treatment of Resources Effective 07/01/2018 Authority 7 U.S.C.A. §2014 (g); 7 C.F.R. § 273.8 -10; 7 C.F.R. § 273.11; 7 C.F.R. § 272.17; Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-1-105, 71-5-304 and 71-5-306 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors

(24-12)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Resources

Policy 24.12 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 5 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 11/16/2020 03/01/2021 Sections A and C Removed some content to procedure documents, and clariﬁed resource eligibility standards, and exempt/countable resources 09/17/2019 09/23/2019 Policy/Purpose Statements, Section M, Section X Grammar, Revision of the section to refer to external documents and updates to reﬂect new amounts in item 8.b. 06/16/2018 07/16/2018 New Policy New Policy – revised from previous policy and procedures manual and various other documents. Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 11/16/2020 03/01/2021 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 09/17/2019 09/23/2019 Danielle Barnes Commissioner 06/13/2018 07/16/2018 Current Approver

(24-13)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.13 SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winning#

(24-13)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 2 SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winnings Policy 24.13 Eﬀective: March 1, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall disqualify Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers for substantial Lottery or Gambling Winnings received. Scope This policy explains the requirements regarding disqualiﬁcations from SNAP Program due to substantial lottery or gambling winnings and when eligibility may be regained. Policy A. A SNAP household shall lose eligibility immediately if any individual in the household receives cash prize from substantial lottery or gambling winnings. B. Substantial lottery or gambling winnings is a cash prize, before taxes or withholdings, that matches the SNAP resource limit for elderly or disabled households listed in the Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings Guidelines document. The limit is adjusted annually. C. Prizes such as goods, services, vehicles are not considered cash prizes. D. A cash prize must be won in one bet/ticket (such as one hit on a machine, one ticket, or one raﬄe) and only the amount allocated to the household member would count towards SNAP household when the household member shared in the purchase of the “ticket” or “bet” with other persons not in the household. E. Households classiﬁed as Categorically Eligible (CE) whose case was closed due to lottery or gambling winnings are required to meet regular SNAP rules for eligibility once they reapply and will not be considered CE status until approved one (1) certiﬁcation period as a regular SNAP household. Supporting Documents Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) Match Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings Guidelines

(24-13)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winnings

Policy 24.13 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 2 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes None Authority 7 C.F.R. § 273.11(r); Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-51-133 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 01/22/2021 03/01/2021 New Policy New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 01/22/2021 03/01/2021 Current Approver

(24-14)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.14 SNAP Income#

(24-14)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 11 SNAP Income Policy 24.14 Eﬀective: January 4, 2022 Introduction Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall consider the amount of income available to a SNAP household in determining eligibility and allotment for a household. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in determining the amount of income that must be considered when determining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and benefit. Policy A. Income Eligibility Standards Income eligibility standards are based upon a household’s classiﬁcation; a regular household, elderly/disabled household, or categorically eligible household. 1. A regular household must meet both the net income eligibility standards and the gross income eligibility standards. 2. An elderly or disabled household must meet only the net income eligibility standards. 3. A categorically eligible household does not have to meet either the gross or net income eligibility standards. SNAP Gross Monthly Income Standard (GIS) is used only as an eligibility limiting factor; it is not used to determine the actual amount of the allotment. This standard does not apply to households that contain elderly or disabled household members. 1. If the household’s gross monthly income (before deductions) exceeds the gross income standard for the number of people in the household, the household is not eligible for SNAP. 2. If the household’s gross monthly income (before deductions) is equal to or less than the gross income standard for the number of people in the household, the SNAP net monthly income standard would be evaluated.

(24-14)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 11 SNAP Net Monthly Income Standard is used to determine whether a household is eligible. It is not used to determine the actual amount of the SNAP allotment. 1. If a household’s available income (after exclusions and deductions) exceeds the net monthly income standard for the number of people in the household, a household is not eligible for SNAP. 2. If a household’s available income (after exclusions and deductions) equals or is less than the appropriate net monthly income standard for the number of people in the household, the household may be eligible for SNAP. B. Income Requirements All sources of income must be explored and the gross countable income from all sources must be veriﬁed before approval or continuation of beneﬁts, except when a SNAP household qualiﬁes for expedited services. The applicant has the primary responsibility for providing acceptable income veriﬁcation. If they are unable to provide acceptable veriﬁcation, the Eligibility Counselor will provide assistance verifying income if the household requests assistance. Income is classiﬁed as earned income or unearned income. The household is required to report earned and unearned income for all household members at the time of application and re application. Earned and unearned income for all household members which is received or expected to be received during a SNAP Certiﬁcation period is considered available with the following exceptions: 1. when income is excluded or disregarded as deﬁned; or 2. when income is so infrequent or irregular that it cannot be reasonably anticipated and does not exceed $30 per quarter. C. Earned Income Earned income is income received in exchange for an individual’s physical or mental labor. It includes pay received from jury duty, bonuses, vacation pay, maternity leave pay, and sick pay received by an individual while still employed. Garnished or diverted wages are also considered to be earned income. 1. Compensation for services performed, including wages, salaries, commissions, tips, bonuses, or the sale of blood or plasma 2. Payments received from odd jobs such as babysitting, mowing lawns, or shoveling snow 3. Income from self-employment enterprises. Total gains of any capital goods or equipment related to the business, excluding the cost of doing business (Staﬀ shall also refer to supporting document SNAP Income and Budgeting Procedures) 4. Allowances from vocational and rehabilitative programs sponsored by federal, state, or local governments unless the allowances are excluded as reimbursements 5. Income received for vacation leave, sick leave, maternity leave, short-term disability, or any bonuses to an individual that is still employed. When the payment is received in a lump sum, the household has the option to count the payment in the month received or have it

(24-14)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 11 averaged over the certiﬁcation period (Refer to Unearned Income Section for payments received after employment is terminated) 6. Income received from Jury Duty 7. Pay and allowances of a member of a uniformed service (Staﬀ can also refer to supporting document Military Pay for SNAP Determination for diﬀerent types of military pay and how it is determined for SNAP income) 8. Payments received through the Work Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), AmeriCorps, and YouthBuild On-The-Job Training Programs, unless the participant is under the age of nineteen (19) and under the parental control of another adult household member. (See the Excluded Income Section below for certain On-The-Job Training Programs that are excluded). D. Unearned Income Unearned income is any income that does not meet the deﬁnition of earned income. No earned income exclusions or work expense deductions may be applied to unearned income as deﬁned. The following payments are considered unearned income (this list is not all-inclusive): 1. Unemployment and Workmen’s Compensation 2. Strike Beneﬁts (Strikers are eligible to participate in the program if they meet all eligibility requirements of the strike.) As deﬁned in 24.20 SNAP Strikers. 3. Vacation, sick, maternity, short term disability, or any bonus payments received in installments by an individual whose employment has ended 4. Severance pay when received after termination of employment 5. Rental Income unless it meets criteria for earned income in the supporting document Consideration of Self-Employment and Contract Employees for SNAP 6. Interest payments, dividends, and royalty’s income and all other such direct money payments that can be for gain or beneﬁt 7. Annuities, pensions, retirement, VA beneﬁts, Social Security beneﬁts, military, and Job Corps allotments, and other such pensions and beneﬁts 8. Child support or alimony payments from non-household members made directly to the household (Staﬀ can also refer to supporting document Child Support and Pass-through Payment for SNAP Income) 9. Regular cash contributions or gifts made to the household unless otherwise exempt based on Excluded income 10.Monies withdrawn or dividends received from trust funds when the trust fund has been excluded as a resource shall be considered unearned income in the month received or otherwise became available to the household 11.Consider general assistance payments (Families First or SSI) or other countable needs-based assistance payments, unless excluded, as unearned income (See also Penalty for SNAP due to Failure to Comply)

(24-14)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 11 E. Excluded Income Certain payments and beneﬁts which might ordinarily be considered income are excluded under federal law or regulation from consideration as income for eligibility purposes. 1. Relocation payments received under Title II of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 2. Funds held in Trust for Members of Indian tribes under Indian Tribal Judgment Funds Use or Distribution Act (Public Law {P.L.} 93-134), Distribution of Judgment Funds (P.L. 92-254) or A bill to provide for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians in Indian Claims Commission Docket numbered 40-K, and for other purposes (P.L. 94-540) 3. Payments received under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (P.L. 92-203, §21a), payments by the Indian Claims Commission to the Confederate Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Indian Nation or the Apache Tribe of the Mescalera Reservation (P.L. 94-443), payments to the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Penobscot Nation or any of their members received according to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-420, §5) and payments of relocation assistance to members of the Navajo and Hopi Tribes (P.L. 93-531) 4. Receipts distributed to members of certain Indian tribes referred to in Indian Tribes— Submarginal Lands (P.L. 94-114) 5. Beneﬁts received from Programs under the Older Americans Act of 1965, including: a. Payments from the Senior Community Service Employment Programs (Title V) b. Payments from the Nutrition Programs for the Elderly (Title VII) 6. The value of supplemental food assistance received under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), as amended, and the special food service program for children under the National School Lunch Act, as amended 7. Payments for support services and reimbursements of out-of-pocket expenses made to individual volunteers serving as health aids, senior companions, R.S.V.P., Foster grandparents, and any other programs under Title II according to Section 418 of P.L. 93-113 8. Payments under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 a. Payments to volunteers under Title I of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-113 as amended) will be excluded when the volunteers meet either of the following conditions: i. the individuals were receiving SNAP or FF at the time they joined the Title I program; or ii. the individuals were receiving the Title I subsistence allowance before March 1, 1979. This exclusion will apply for the length of the volunteer contract in eﬀect as of March 1, 1979. b. Payments to volunteers under Title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (P.L. 91-113, as amended) are excluded.

(24-14)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 11 9. Work Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) income a. Earnings for WIOA on-the-job training programs are excluded only for individuals under age 19 who are under the parental control of an adult household member. Note: On-the-job training payments received under the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program are excluded. b. Other WIOA Programs: All income (earned or unearned) from other WIOA programs is excluded. 10.Payments made under annual contribution contracts entered into before January 1, 1975, under Section 23 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1973, as amended. 11.Payments to individuals because of their status as victims of Nazi persecution. 12.All educational income. The income may be from Title IV, non-Title IV, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), or federal grants, as well as private sources and college work-study programs. 13.Payments or allowances under any federal laws for energy assistance. These payments or allowances must be identiﬁed clearly as energy assistance by the legislative body authorizing the program or providing the funds. Among the federal payments are energy assistance payments provided through: a. Department of Health and Human Services’ Low-Income Energy Assistance Program b. Community Services Administration’s Energy Crisis Assistance and Crisis Intervention Programs c. HUD; or d. Farmers Home Administration. Note: Payments made through state or local funding are not excluded. 14.Agent Orange Settlement Payments are excluded as income and resources. Payments are for veterans who are eligible under the program to receive disability payments each year they are disabled during the life of the program. Lump-sum payments are made to survivors of deceased veterans. 15.Earned Income Tax Credits. (See 24.12 SNAP Resources on how tax credits are counted as a resource) 16.Compensation received under Crime Act of 1984 to crime victims as stated in Section 230202 of P.L. 103-322 17.The earned income of a household member under age eighteen (18) if: a. that person is a student at least half-time in elementary, high school or classes to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma; and b. lives with a natural parent, adoptive parent, or step-parent; or is under the control of a household member other than a parent.

(24-14)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 11 Continue to apply this exclusion during temporary interruptions in school attendance (i.e., semester or vacation breaks), provided the child will return to school following the break. Note: If the child’s earnings or the amount of work performed cannot be diﬀerentiated from that of other household members, prorate the total earnings among the working members. Do not count the child’s pro-rata share. 18.The allowable cost of producing self-employment income. (Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Income and budgeting Procedures) 19.Any income received too infrequently or irregularly to be reasonably anticipated. The amount must not exceed $30 in a three-month period. 20.Loans, including loans from private individuals, as well as commercial institutions. This does not include educational loans on which repayment is deferred. To be considered excludable income from a loan: a. There must be a document signed by both parties with an agreement to repay b. The obligation to repay the amount is unconditional c. The lending party can be an individual or an institution d. The document does not need to be notarized; and e. The worker does not need to verify if actually being paid. 21.Income of Non-Household Members a. The income of non-household members who have not been disqualiﬁed; this includes ineligible students, live-in attendants, and roomers and boarders who are not considered household members. i. If a non-household member receives SSA, SSI, or VA beneﬁts on behalf of an eligible HH member, consider the income as available to the eligible HH member(s). ii. If a non-household member receives child support payments for the support of children who are eligible HH members, count the support payment as available to the children, if the children are identiﬁed in the court order. If the court order does not stipulate for which children the child support is being paid, consider the income as belonging to the payee, and not the children. b. Do not count monies received and used for the care and maintenance of a third party who is a non-household member. If the intended beneﬁciaries of a single payment are both HH and non-household, do not count any identiﬁable portion of the payment intended and used for the care and maintenance of the non-household member. If the non-household member’s portion cannot be readily identiﬁable, prorate the payment evenly among intended beneﬁciaries. 22.Non-Recurring Lump Sum Payments, this includes but is not limited to; income tax refunds, rebates, or credits; retroactive lump sum Social Security, SSI, Cash Assistance, railroad retirement pensions, or other payments; retroactive lump sum insurance settlements, or refunds of security deposits on rental property or utilities. Count these payments as

(24-14)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 11 resources in the month received unless speciﬁcally excluded as a resource by other federal laws. Also included is the Veterans Administration Disability Pension Payment Annual Adjustment. VA does not consider this as a medical reimbursement. 23.Recoupments. Any portion of the household’s income that is either withheld by the provider or returned to the provider by the recipient to repay a prior overpayment. This would include Social Security and SSI. If the repayment is to pay for an overpayment in that particular program, the net income would be counted. Exceptions: a. monies withheld from assistance payments (Families First) to repay an overpayment caused by intentionally failing to comply with the other Program’s requirements b. monies withheld for bankruptcy (such as a wage earner’s plan); or c. monies withheld either voluntarily or involuntarily, for any purposes, except to repay a prior overpayment. Example: Social Security and/or SSI repayment beneﬁts that are due to an overpayment in another program (such as a school loan or tax debt) would be counted as income. 24.Reimbursements for past or future expenses other than normal living costs to the extent they do not exceed actual expenses and do not represent a gain or beneﬁt to the household. When a reimbursement, including a ﬂat allowance, covers multiple expenses, each expense does have to be separately identiﬁed as long as none of the reimbursements cover normal living expenses. a. Reimbursements for normal living expenses of the household, such as rent or mortgage, personal clothing, or food eaten at home, that is a gain or beneﬁt and therefore are not excluded. To be excluded, these payments must be provided speciﬁcally for an identiﬁed expense, other than normal living expenses, and used for the purpose intended. Excluded reimbursements may include the following payments: i. Reimbursements received to pay for services provided by Title XX of the Social Security Act. (Title XX of the Social Security Act Provides for funding for social services through the Social Services Block Grant). ii. Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses of volunteers incurred in the course of their work. iii. Dependent care or medical reimbursements. Direct payments made to a household to cover the costs associated with the upkeep of animals specially trained to provide service to the disabled are to be excluded as medical reimbursement. iv. Non-federal reimbursements or allowances to students for speciﬁc education expenses, such as travel or books, but not allowances for normal living expenses such as food, rent, or clothing. Portions of a general grant, loan, or scholarship must be speciﬁcally earmarked by the grantor for education expenses, rather than living expenses, to be excluded as a reimbursement. b. When the household claims that a reimbursement exceeds the actual expense, consider the amount by which it exceeds the actual incurred expense as income.

(24-14)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 11 25.Support payments received by a household but transferred to the Child Support Agency. 26.Vendor payments. Money payments that are not payable directly to the household but are paid to a third party for the household’s expenses are vendor payments. If any employer, agency, former spouse, or other person makes payments for household expenses to a third party from funds that are not owed to the household, these payments must be excluded as vendor payments. Exception: Monies that are legally obligated and otherwise payable to the household, but which are diverted by the provider of the payment to a third-party for a household expense are counted as income and are not excluded as vendor payments. The distinction is whether the person or organization making the payment on behalf of a household is using funds that otherwise would have to be paid to a household. These funds include any wages earned by a household member, support and alimony payments which legally must be paid to a household, educational loans on which payment is deferred, grants, scholarships, etc., which are paid to a third party for living expenses. 27.Money from any source that is deposited into a Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) Account under Title XVI of the Social Security Act. 28.AmeriCorps a. Earnings for AmeriCorps on-the-job training for individuals under age 19 who are under the parental control of an adult household member. b. All VISTA income authorized under Domestic Volunteer Services Act. This would be treated like other VISTA income. i. Payments through VISTA will be excluded for those individuals receiving FF or SNAP at the time they joined the program. Temporary interruptions in SNAP shall not alter the exclusion once the initial determination has been made. ii. New applicants who were not receiving FF or SNAP at the time they joined VISTA shall have these payments included as earned income which would be subject to the earned income deduction. c. All income (earned or unearned) from other AmeriCorps Programs. 29.Allowances paid to children of Vietnam Veterans a. Beneﬁts paid based upon the birth defect of spina biﬁda to children suﬀering from spina biﬁda if their mother or father served in Vietnam. b. The Vietnam Beneﬁts and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000 (Section 401) is authorized to provide beneﬁts to children with certain birth defects born to female Vietnam veterans. The payments are disregarded and were approved back to 12/1/2001. 30.SSI Lump Sum Installment Payments. Payments of large retroactive SSI beneﬁt amounts are now required to be paid in an installment to the SSI recipient. The payments are to be paid in no more than three (3) installments and will be paid at six (6) month intervals.

(24-14)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 11 31.YouthBuild Program Payments. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, Sec. 456(e) provides that payments made under this program are to be treated like Work Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) payments. a. On-The-Job Training. Earnings for on-the-job training programs only for individuals under the age of 19 who are under the parental control of an adult household member. b. All income (earned or unearned) from the other YouthBuild Programs. 32.Non-Cash Items. Any gain or beneﬁts not in the form of money payable directly to the household, such as meals, clothing, garden produce, public housing, or other in-kind beneﬁts. 33.Disaster Income a. Exempt any governmental payments that are designated for the restoration of a home damaged in a disaster. If the household is subject to a legal sanction if the funds are not used as intended. Such funds include those made by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the Individual and Family Grant Program or disaster loans or grants made by the Small Business Administration. b. Payments made under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for ﬂood mitigation activities shall not be counted as income or resources of the property owner. The Federal Emergency Management Agency awards grants to States and communities, which distribute the funds to individuals and businesses for activities that reduce the risk of repetitive ﬂood damage. 34.Military Combat Pay. Additional pay received by military personnel as a result of deployment to a combat zone is to be excluded from income. All other military pay is included. Staﬀ shall refer to Military Pay for SNAP Determination 35.Filipino Veteran’s Equity Compensation Payments. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 created the “Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund” for certain veterans and the spouses of veterans who served in the military of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines during World War II. These payments are excluded. 36.Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. Based on the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 ABLE accounts should be excluded as income to determine SNAP eligibility. The income of all household members who share a living arrangement must be explored, but all household members may or may not be considered in the determination of eligibility and level of beneﬁt. See Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members and Treatment of Income Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded Household Members to explore the income of non-household or excluded household members. F. Determining Income For SNAP, a prospective method of determining eligibility and allotment is used when considering available income for a household. At the time of application, re-application, or any change in income, a determination of the amount of income considered available for ongoing and future eligibility. Unless it is reasonably certain income will continue, if the amount or when

(24-14)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 11 it will be received is uncertain, the portion of the household’s income that is uncertain shall not be counted. Income received during the past thirty (30) days shall be used as an indicator of the income that is and will be available to the household during the certiﬁcation period. If income ﬂuctuates to the extent that a thirty (30) day period alone cannot provide an accurate indication of anticipated income, a longer period of past time shall be requested to provide a more accurate indication of anticipated ﬂuctuations in future income. Similarly, if the household’s income ﬂuctuates seasonally, it may be appropriate to use the most recent season comparable to the certiﬁcation period, rather than the last thirty (30) days, as one indicator of anticipated income. To the extent possible, any ﬂuctuations in income are to be handled to permit the longest SNAP certiﬁcation period. Past income shall not be used as an indicator of anticipated income when changes in income have occurred or can be anticipated during the certiﬁcation period. See also SNAP Income and Budgeting Procedures. Income, which is received annually, or which is an integral part of annual income, will be totaled and prorated over 12 months. Such income is usually earned income and derived from farming or other self-employment enterprises. Income which, by contract or otherwise, could be generally considered as annual income, but which is received in a shorter period of time will be considered as income in the months during which it is intended to cover. An estimated average income from migrant labor, seasonal farm work, or other seasonal employment will be considered during the months' such income is received. Supporting Documents SNAP Income and Budgeting Procedures Child Support Income and Pass-Through Payment Consideration of Self-Employment and Contract Workers Military Pay for SNAP Determination Penalty for SNAP due to Failure to Comply 24.12 SNAP Resources 24.20 SNAP Strikers Procedures for Household that Contains a Striker Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductible Expenses of Non-Household Members Treatment of Income Resources, Income, and Deductible Expenses of Excluded Household Members The Work Number and Other Third-Party Payroll Sources

(24-14)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Income

Policy 24.14 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 01/04/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 11 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition N/A N/A Supersedes Policy 24.14 SNAP Income, eﬀ. date 09/01/2021 Authority 7 C.F.R. § 273.9. Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 01/04/2022 01/04/2022 Supporting Documents Added supporting document “The Work Number and Other Third-Party Payroll Sources” 08/03/2021 09/01/2021 N/A-new policy N/A-new policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Cherrell Campbell-Street Deputy Commissioner 01/04/2022 01/04/2022 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 08/03/2021 09/01/2021 Current Approver

(24-17)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Verifications#

(24-17)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations Policy 24.17 Effective: February 1, 2022 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) staﬀ shall follow state and federal guidelines for verifying an applicant’s information to determine eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Beneﬁts. Scope This policy was developed to outline the requirements for veriﬁcations, what must be veriﬁed, and the procedures that must be used to conﬁrm or support information provided by an applicant in determining eligibility for SNAP. The purpose of veriﬁcation is to establish households meet deﬁned eligibility criteria as accurately as possible. Policy Responsibilities for Providing Veriﬁcation Securing adequate veriﬁcation is a joint responsibility between the applicant/household and the Eligibility Counselor. The household has the primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support its statements and to resolve any questionable information. Eligibility Counselors shall accept any reasonable documentary evidence and be primarily concerned with how adequately the veriﬁcation proves the statements by the applicant/household. Eligibility Counselors cannot deny an application solely on the household’s statement of ineligibility and shall use veriﬁcation when making an eligibility determination. Please refer to Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP. Sources of Veriﬁcation 1. Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is written confirmation that is provided as the basis, proof, or support of information provided by the household and may either be official or unofficial. Documentary evidence is the primary source of verification.

(24-17)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations

Policy 24.17 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 When documentary evidence is not readily available or when it is not sufficient, a collateral contact or, in rare instances, a home visit can be used as an alternate source of verification. 2. Collateral Contacts The Eligibility Counselor shall ask the household to assist by providing the names and phone numbers of collateral contacts. A collateral contact is a verbal confirmation of the household’s circumstances by someone outside of the household who is knowledgeable regarding the eligibility factor being verified and may be anyone who can be expected to provide accurate third-party verification of the household’s circumstances. 3. Home Visits A home visit may be substituted if the necessary information can be obtained by a home visit (I.E. determining household composition) and there is no available or acceptable documentary evidence and there is no appropriate collateral contact available. A home visit must be scheduled in advance with the household to complete or confirm a required verification and must not put an undue burden on the customer or the Eligibility Counselor. A customer’s verbal or written declaration of the facts can still be acceptable as a last resort when: • The household has tried, without success, to obtain the required verification; and • The counselor has exhausted all means of verifying the customer’s statements without success. • Please be advised that although the customer's statement can be taken as a last resort if the case is pulled for QC purposes it may still be an error. • It is a best practice to get the customer’s declaration in writing. Eligibility Counselors shall give the household at least ten (10) calendar days following the mail date of the written request to provide required veriﬁcations. The case must be documented showing all eﬀorts made to support eligibility, ineligibility, and beneﬁt level determinations. A denial action for failure to provide veriﬁcations cannot be taken until after the applicant has had ten (10) calendar days following the mail date of the written request to provide veriﬁcations. If the tenth (10th) day is a non-business day, give the household until the next working day to provide veriﬁcations. Mandatory Veriﬁcations At application and reapplication, Eligibility Counselors shall examine both financial and non- financial factors of eligibility for SNAP and verify if mandatory or questionable. When a household reports a change, the information provided by the household on the eligibility factor being reported shall be examined and verified if mandatory or questionable. Verifications for deductions, exemptions, or special considerations for eligibility shall be reviewed and discussed with the household during application processing. The following describes mandatory financial and non-financial factors:

(24-17)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations

Policy 24.17 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 1. Identity: The identity of the applicant shall be veriﬁed. When an authorized representative applies on behalf of a household, the identity of both the authorized representative and the head of the household shall be veriﬁed through documentary evidence, or if unavailable, a collateral contact. Examples may include but are not limited to a driver’s license, a work ID, an ID for health beneﬁts, a voter registration card, matching SOLQ, a birth certiﬁcate, or case information previously veriﬁed. 2. Residence: Residency is a requirement for SNAP, and it must be veriﬁed at each application that the household is a resident of the State of Tennessee except in unusual circumstances. (Please see SNAP Policy 24.10 Residency Requirements) Eligibility Counselors may verify residence in conjunction with veriﬁcation of other information such as rent or mortgage payments, utility expenses, or identity. If residence cannot be veriﬁed in conjunction with other information, a collateral contact or other readily available documentary evidence shall be used. 3. Alien Status: Alien status shall be veriﬁed if members of the household are identiﬁed as aliens. U.S. Citizenship will only be veriﬁed if the household statement is inconsistent with other information. 4. Social Security Numbers: Veriﬁcation of newly reported social security numbers may be accomplished by matching the reported number with BENDEX, SDX, observing the social security card or any oﬃcial document from the Social Security Administration containing the SSN, or by utilizing the SS-5 process. Once an SSN has been veriﬁed, it does not need to be re-veriﬁed. 5. Household Composition: The number of household members shall be veriﬁed at each certiﬁcation as well as anytime the household size changes. Some acceptable veriﬁcation can include lease agreements or collateral contacts such as landlords, neighbors, or social agencies. 6. Resources: Liquid and non-liquid countable resources shall be veriﬁed. Examples of countable resources are money in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, non-exempt vehicles, non exempt property, or lump-sum payments. Some acceptable veriﬁcation can include statements from banks or other ﬁnancial institutions. 7. Gross Non-Exempt Income: All non-exempt gross income (earned and unearned) shall be veriﬁed prior to approval. The source and amount of all income for each household member shall be explored to determine whether it is to be counted or exempt. Some acceptable veriﬁcation of income can include copies of most recent pay stubs, an employer’s statement, or a 1040 IRS form. If documentary evidence is not available, the applicant’s signed statement can be accepted. For other verifications that staff may need to request, please see Verification and Documentation for SNAP Supporting Documents Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP Veriﬁcation for Expedited Services

(24-17)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations

Policy 24.17 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes PUN 24.10-21.01 "Ten (10) Day Time Frame for Pending Verifications and Customer Contact" Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Verifications Effective 03/01/2021 Authority 7 C.F.R. § 273.2(f) Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Policy & Sources of Veriﬁcation Updated verbiage 02/26/2021 03/01/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Effective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 01/21/2022 02/01/2022 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 02/26/2021 03/01/2021 Current Approver

(24-18)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.18 SNAP Deductions from Income#

(24-18)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 20 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Deductions from Income Policy 24.18 Eﬀective: September 17, 2018 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall meet federal and state guidelines regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) deductions from income. TDHS shall deﬁne the diﬀerent types of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) deductions that can be applied to an applicant/recipient’s income. Scope To provide procedures and guidelines explaining approved Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) deductions that can be used for each household member after determining an applicant’s gross income. Policy A. Limitations on Deductions 1. Deductible expenses include only those costs described in this chapter. 2. Expenses may be deducted only if the service is provided by someone outside the household (HH) and the HH makes a money payment for the service. B. Types of Expenses Not Allowed as Deductions Refer to Types of Expenses Not Allowed As Deductions for examples of expenses that are not allowed as deductions when determining eligibility for SNAP. C. Billed Expenses Deducted in Month Due 1. Except as provided under Section D. “Fluctuating Expenses” and Section E. “Anticipating Expenses”, a deduction is allowed in the month the expense is billed or otherwise becomes due, regardless of when the HH intends to pay the expense. 2. Amounts carried forward from past billing periods are not deductible, even if included with the most recent billing and paid by the HH.

(24-18)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 20 D. Fluctuating Expenses 1. HHs may elect to have ﬂuctuating expenses averaged. 2. They also may choose to have expenses which are billed less often than monthly averaged forward over the interval between scheduled billings. 3. If there is no scheduled interval, average forward over the period the expense is intended to cover. 4. HHs reporting one-time only expenses during their certiﬁcation period may elect to either have a one-time deduction in the month the change would become eﬀective, or to have the expense averaged over the remaining months in the certiﬁcation period. 5. Averaging would begin the month the change would become eﬀective. E. Anticipating Expenses 1. A HH’s expenses are calculated based on the expenses for which the HH expects to be billed during the certiﬁcation period. 2. Anticipation of the expenses is based on the most recent month’s bills, unless the HH is reasonably certain that a change will occur. 3. Changes may be anticipated during the certiﬁcation period based on last year’s bills from the same period updated by overall price increases. 4. If only the most recent bill is available, utility cost increases or decreases over the months of the certiﬁcation period may be based on utility company estimates for the type of dwelling and utilities used by the HH. 5. Past expenses will not be averaged (such as utility bills for the past several months) as a method of anticipating utility costs for the certiﬁcation period. F. Types of Expenses Allowed as Deductions The following deductions are allowed in calculating the HH’s adjusted monthly income: 1. Earned Income Deduction 2. Standard Deduction 3. Excess Medical Deduction 4. Dependent Care 5. Shelter Costs 6. Child Support Payments Deduction 7. Deduction for a Representative Payee G. Earned Income Deduction 1. 20% of gross earned income will be deducted. 2. Any additional deductions are not allowed (i.e., taxes, pensions, union dues, and the like) except for costs of self-employment.

(24-18)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 20 3. Excluded earned income is not subject to this deduction. 4. HH’s that willfully and fraudulently fail to report earnings, and, thus, commit an Intentional Program Violation (IPV), are not entitled to the 20% deduction in the over issuance determination. 5. Once the earnings are discovered and counted in the ongoing SNAP budget, the HH is entitled to the 20% deduction. Refer to the Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide. H. Standard Deduction 1. The standard deduction is the deduction of an established monthly amount from all types of income. 2. The appropriate standard deduction will be applied to each HH regardless of its income. Refer to the Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide. I. Excess Medical Deduction 1. An excess medical deduction is a deduction from a HH’s total gross income given when a disabled or elderly HH member has medical expenses over a speciﬁed monthly amount determined by federal regulations. Refer to the SNAP Medical Deductions Helpful Reminders J. Dependent Care 1. Payments for the actual costs for the care of children or other dependents when necessary for a HH member to accept or continue employment, comply with the employment and training requirements. 2. Dependent care costs include the costs of care given by an individual care provider or care facility, transportation costs to and from the care facility, and activity or other fees associated with the care provided to the dependent that are necessary for the household to participate in the care. 3. This deduction is not limited to the care of young children. It allows for cost of care for children [under eighteen (18)] and/or disabled individuals of any age when needed for a customer to accept or continue employment, or comply with the employment and training requirements. 4. At this time there is no limit on the dependent child care expense. However, if the dependent care is for a disabled HH member or individual, at no time can it be considered both a dependent care and medical care expense. K. Shelter Costs 1. Monthly shelter costs are the amount in excess of ﬁfty percent (50%) of the HH’s income after all deductions have been allowed. 2. The shelter deduction cannot exceed the maximum unless the HH contains a member who is elderly or disabled. These HHs will receive an excess shelter deduction for the monthly cost

(24-18)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 20 that exceeds ﬁfty percent (50%) of the HH’s monthly income after all other applicable deductions. 3. The maximum shelter deduction is subject to change annually. Shelter costs include only the following: a. Continuing charges for the shelter occupied by the HH, including rent, mortgage, condominium fees, homeowners’ association dues or other continuing charges leading to the ownership of shelter, such as loan repayments for the purchase of a mobile home, including interests on such payments. b. If a recipient takes a second mortgage or loan, in which the loan is secured by a lien on the homestead property by the lender, payments on these secured loans meet the criteria of continuing charges for the shelter and are considered shelter costs. This is true regardless of what the loan is actually for. Payments made on unsecured or personal loans are not considered shelter costs. c. Property taxes, state and local assessments, and insurance on the structure itself, but not separate costs for insuring furniture or personal belongings. d. Charges for heating, cooling, and cooking fuel; electricity; water and sewer; garbage and trash collection fees; the standard telephone allowance; and fees charged by the utility provider for initial installation of utility cost. e. Costs incurred for repairing a home substantially damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster (such as a ﬁre or ﬂood). f. Shelter costs can still be incurred for the home if not actually occupied by the HH in certain scenarios. Refer to Shelter Costs Incurred for an Unoccupied Home when the shelter costs can still be claimed depending on the HH circumstance. g. Shelter deductions are allowed as incurred regardless of ability to pay. Although the HH has no money to subtract the deduction from, if they have veriﬁed that they have the expense then the expense can be keyed. 4. Payments NOT Included in Shelter Costs Are: a. fees charged for one-time deposits on utilities; b. separate costs for insuring furniture or personal belongings; c. repairs or replacement of any appliance, well, septic tank, or any portion of the home due to wear and tear or mechanical problems; d. any costs related to housing not actually occupied by the household, except as speciﬁed in above; e. down payments, closing costs, discount points, and other costs incidental to purchase and the closing of a mortgage; f. costs of drilling a well or installing a septic tank; g. site preparation to locate a mobile home;

(24-18)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 20 h. rental insurance; and i. charges for repair of the home that have been or will be reimbursed by private or public relief agencies such as insurance agencies or from any other source. 5. Homeless HH’s Shelter Standard a. Homeless HHs that incur or expect to incur shelter costs during the month shall be eligible for a homeless HH shelter standard. b. HHs which receive free housing and utilities throughout the month would not be eligible. c. A homeless HH which uses the special standard is not entitled to the standard utility allowance (SUA) since average utility costs are included in the estimate. d. Homeless HHs with shelter costs higher than the HH standard would be able to claim these costs if they can be reasonably veriﬁed. If there is no such veriﬁcation the homeless HH standard would be used. e. The eligibility counselor shall use prudent judgment in determining if veriﬁcation obtained is adequate. Once there is a noticeable pattern to a homeless HH’s shelter costs, the certiﬁcation period can be adjusted accordingly. The HH at any time can report changes in their circumstances, including shelter costs. 6. Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) a. The SUA is used in calculating the shelter costs of those HHs which directly incur heating or cooling expenses on a regular basis separate and apart from their rent or mortgage payment. b. This includes residents of rental housing who are billed on a monthly basis by their landlords for actual usage as determined through individual metering or who are charged a ﬂat rate separately from their rent. 7. Standard Telephone Allowance A standard telephone allowance is to be used in calculating the shelter costs for HHs which incur a separate telephone expense, but are not entitled to any other utility allowance. 8. Actual Utility Expenses a. Actual utility costs may be deducted if the HH can verify these costs, and it can be reasonably anticipated that the costs will continue for the length of the certiﬁcation period. b. A HH living in public housing or other rental housing which has central utility meters and charges the HH only for excess heating or cooling costs cannot be permitted to use the SUA, unless eligible for it based on Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) policy. These HHs may elect to have their excess utility costs allowed in the billing month, or have the excess averaged forward over the interval between scheduled billings. (The HH may use the basic utility allowance (BUA) if eligible.)

(24-18)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 20 c. If a HH wishes to claim utility expenses for an unoccupied home, the HH must provide veriﬁcation of the actual utility expenses for the unoccupied home. The SUA cannot be used for unoccupied homes. 9. Household’s Option a. At the time of certiﬁcation, explain to the HH that it may deduct its actual utility costs rather than the SUA throughout the certiﬁcation period, if the household can verify these costs. b. The HH may switch between the SUA and actual costs during recertiﬁcation only. c. The limit on the number of times a HH may switch between actual costs and the SUA applies only to those times it actually has a choice. d. The HH’s option of using actual utility expenses or the SUA does not apply when the HH must switch from the SUA to actual expenses because it is no longer eligible for the SUA (i.e., the household no longer incurs heating or cooling expenses). 10.When the SUA can be used The SUA may be used: a. When the HH is billed on a regular basis for heating or cooling expenses separate and apart from its rent or mortgage. The SUA includes the cost of heating and/or cooling, cooking fuel, electricity, the basic service fee for one telephone, water, sewage, and garbage and trash collection. i. A cooling cost is a verifiable utility expense relating to the operation of air conditioning systems or room air conditioners. ii. Only HHs which directly incur a heating or cooling expense on a regular basis separate and apart from their rent or mortgage are entitled to the SUA. iii. For exceptions refer to Standard Utility Allowance. b. When there is no rent or mortgage payment, such as when there is free use of a house or mobile home, or when the home mortgage is fully paid, if the HH is otherwise eligible to use the SUA. c. When two or more HHs share a common residence and contribute to the common heating or cooling expense for the residence. Each HH would be eligible to receive the SUA for the number of individuals in its respective HH. For an example refer to the SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios. d. When the Standard Allowance for Utilities is not to be used: i. the HH has no utility expense such as when all utilities are furnished as in-kind beneﬁt; ii. the HH wishes to claim expenses for an unoccupied home; iii. HHs are charged only for water, garbage and trash collection, sewage, telephone, cooking fuel, or any combination of these expenses. To be eligible for the SUA, the HH must be directly billed on a regular basis for its heating and/or cooling costs;

(24-18)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 20 iv. a HH lives in a public housing unit or other rental housing unit. The HH is charged only for excess utility costs, regardless of whether the unit is individually or centrally metered. v. if a change is reported in shelter (increase or decrease) and the shelter amount is not veriﬁed, any expense would in the case and the case will be processed without the shelter deduction. vi. Refer to Standard Utility Allowance for examples. e. Eligibility for the SUA for HHs Receiving Energy Assistance or Other Vendor Payments for Utilities. To determine how to count energy assistance payments, refer to Administrative Policies and Procedures: 24.12 SNAP Resources i. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act (LIHEAP) ii. LIHEAP payments made directly to the HH or provider do not affect the HH’s eligibility for the SUA. HHs are entitled to the SUA even if the expense is totally covered by a LIHEAP payment. iii. United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) Utility Reimbursements iv. HHs receiving HUD and FmHA reimbursements are entitled to the SUA if they incur heating or cooling costs payment. v. State and Local Energy Assistance and Other Vendor Payments 1) Energy assistance payments made directly to the HH do not affect the HH’s eligibility for the SUA if the HH is otherwise entitled to it. 2) Energy assistance payments (other than LIHEAP payments) are considered as vendor payments when they are made directly to the utility company (including checks made jointly to the HH and the utility company). 3) To determine a HH’s eligibility for the SUA when vendor payments are made to the utility company, follow the procedures outlined in Standard Utility Allowance. 11. Basic Utility Allowance a. The BUA is an option for a SNAP HH that incurs a utility expense including electricity and fuel for purposes other than heating or cooling, water, sewer, well and septic tank installation and maintenance, telephone, and garbage or trash collection. b. The BUA must include expenses for at least two utilities. NOTE: If the HH lives in a public housing unit or other rental housing unit the HH is charged only for excess utility costs, regardless of whether the unit is individually or centrally metered. The HH is eligible for the BUA. Refer to the Utility Allowance Chart for different situations on when to use the SUA, BUA, or actual utility deductions.

(24-18)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 20 L. Child Support Payment Deduction Court ordered child support payments paid by a SNAP HH member to or for an individual living outside the HH are an allowable deduction. M. Deduction for a Representative Payee 1. A monthly fee collected from SSI payments by an organizational representative payee is legally obligated to the payee and is not counted as income to the recipient for SNAP. The organization must be a community based nonproﬁt social service agency. 2. Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Title II Social Security Insurance (SSDI) Payments to individuals whose disability is based on drug addiction and/or alcoholism (DAA) are required to be paid through a representative payee. The amount of the fee, which the representative payee withholds from the funds received on behalf of the recipient, is not counted as income to the household for SNAP purposes. N. Types of Expenses Allowed for Excluded Household Members 1. Ineligible Aliens, Individuals Whose Citizenship is Questionable and Individuals Disqualiﬁed for Failure to Provide or Apply for Social Security Number (SSN) For clients excluded from the SNAP budget: a. The earned income deduction is applied to that portion of the excluded individual’s earned income which is attributed to the HH. b. That portion of the HH’s allowable child support payment deduction, shelter and dependent care expenses which is either paid by or billed to the excluded members will be divided evenly among the HH members, including the excluded members. c. Count all but the excluded member’s share as a deductible expense for the remaining HH members. No deduction is allowed for the excluded member’s medical expenses. 2. Individuals Disqualiﬁed for Intentional Program Violations or Failure to Comply with Work Requirements The entire HH’s allowable earned income deduction, standard deduction, child support payment deduction, medical dependent care and excess shelter deductions, including those of the disqualiﬁed person, continue to apply to the remaining HH members. O. Criteria for Determining Who is Eligible for a Medical Deduction 1. General a. In order to be eligible for a medical deduction, a HH member must be either age sixty (60) or older, or disabled. b. Only HH members who meet at least one(1) of the eligibility criteria may receive the medical deduction.

(24-18)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 20 c. If a person becomes age sixty (60) during the initial month of certiﬁcation, the medical expenses can be allowed beginning that month. If a person becomes age 60 later in the certiﬁcation period, the medical expenses may be considered at that time. d. If a HH member is eligible for a medical deduction but does not claim any, document the case record that no medical expenses were claimed or subsequently reported. 2. SSI Essential Persons Spouses and dependents who receive SSI beneﬁts as SSI essential persons are not eligible for a medical deduction. They are, however, included in the HH. 3. When an Application for SSI or Social Security Disability Has Been Made A member of a currently certiﬁed HH who is not age sixty (60) or older may apply for SSI or Social Security Disability. Do not allow a medical deduction until the individual actually receives an SSI or SSA disability check. 4. Termination of SSI, SSA, or Veteran’s Administration (VA) Beneﬁts Whenever SSI, SSA, or VA beneﬁts are terminated, the HH member is no longer entitled to the medical deduction unless he/she meets one of the other criteria. However, if Social Security determined the client disabled and the payment ended or never started due to income/resource rather than due to end of disability, as long as the client still shows classiﬁed as disabled by the Social Security Oﬃce then the client meets the deﬁnition of disabled. If such beneﬁts are resumed later, the individual will be entitled to the medical deduction again. P. Allowable Medical Expenses A medical expense is an identiﬁable medical cost incurred by a HH member who meets one of the criteria given in Section O under sections 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this policy. Allowable medical costs may include, but are not limited to: 1. medical and dental care, including psychotherapy and rehabilitation services, provided by a licensed practitioner authorized by state law, of other qualiﬁed health professional; 2. hospitalization or outpatient treatment, nursing care, and nursing home payments by the HH for an individual who was a HH member immediately prior to entering a hospital or nursing home licensed (or recognized) by the state; 3. prescription drugs when prescribed by a licensed practitioner authorized under state law, and over the counter medication (including insulin) when approved by a licensed practitioner or other qualiﬁed health professional; in addition, costs of medical supplies, sickroom equipment (including rental) or other prescribed equipment are deductible; 4. health and hospitalization insurance policy premiums; 5. Medicare premiums related to coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act; and cost- sharing or spend-down expenses incurred by Medicaid recipients; 6. dentures, hearing aids and prosthetics;

(24-18)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 20 7. costs of securing and maintaining an animal specially trained to provide service to the disabled including the cost of food and veterinarian bills. Costs over and above that covered by a reimbursement constitute an allowable deduction; 8. eyeglasses or contact lenses, prescribed by a physician skilled in eye disease or by an optometrist; 9. reasonable cost of transportation and lodging to obtain medical treatment/services; 10.monthly telephone fees for ampliﬁers and warning signals for handicapped persons; 11.costs of typewriter equipment and Video Relay Service monthly fees for the deaf; 12.special diets that require a prescription and must be obtained from a pharmacist (do not count other special diets); and 13.costs of maintaining an attendant, homemaker, home health aid, child care services, or housekeeper that are necessary due to age, inﬁrmity, or illness. In addition, deduct an amount equal to the one-person allotment if the HH furnishes the majority of the attendant’s meals. The allotment for this meal-related deduction will be that in eﬀect at the time of initial certiﬁcation. Update the allotment amount at the next scheduled recertiﬁcation. Q. Consideration of Medical Expenses 1. General The total non-reimbursable medical cost exceeds thirty ﬁve dollars ($35) per month. The thirty ﬁve dollar ($35) exclusion will be applied to the HH, not to individuals. The thirty ﬁve dollars ($35) is deducted for each month a medical deduction is allowed. The balance, in excess of the monthly thirty ﬁve dollar ($35) exclusion, is counted as a medical expense. Refer to the SNAP Medical Deductions Helpful Reminders. 2. Age of the Medical Expense The following criteria will apply when a one-time medical expense is being considered: a. How old the expense is or when it was incurred will not be considered; b. It will be established that the medical expense still exists; c. It will be established whether the expense has previously been considered (if it has been considered in the SNAP budget before, it cannot be considered again); and d. The current balance of the expense will be established. Only the existing balance can be considered. 3. Veriﬁcation a. All medical expenses must be veriﬁed prior to allowing them as deductions. A deduction will not be provided if the expense cannot be veriﬁed. If the HH subsequently provides the veriﬁcation, beneﬁts will be re-determined at that time. b. Provide increased beneﬁts, if any, according to established procedures for processing reported changes.

(24-18)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 20 4. Responsibility for Medical Expenses of a Non-Household Member a. At times, the SNAP HH is responsible for a non-HH member’s medical expenses. This normally occurs when an individual dies or enters a nursing home. b. The individual must have been an eligible HH member, and eligible for a medical deduction, immediately prior to entering the hospital or nursing home, or prior to death. c. Only the following should be considered: i. hospitalization; ii. out-patient care; and iii. nursing home care. R. Medical Reimbursements 1. General a. Medical expenses are allowed only after reimbursements have been determined. b. Possible reimbursements for a medical expense exist anytime the individual has Medicare, or health or hospitalization insurance. 2. When Reimbursements Cannot Be Established a. Medical expenses are not allowed if the amount of the reimbursement cannot be established. b. Medical expenses are allowed only when the client is able to verify the amount of reimbursement, even if it is at a later day. c. For a one-time expense, the currently existing balance still owed at the time the amount of reimbursement is veriﬁed is allowed. Refer to the SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example on a medical reimbursement and calculating a one time expense from the reimbursement. 3. Veriﬁcation and Documentation a. The HH’s statement that no reimbursement will be received, unless questionable is acceptable. b. The case record will be documented within forty-eight (48) hours or by the next business day if the following day falls on a weekend or holiday, stating that reimbursements were discussed with the household, whether or not the possibility of reimbursement exists, the amount and expected date of the reimbursement, and how it was veriﬁed. c. For an example of veriﬁcation used to document questionable reimbursements refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios. S. Repayment Plans for Medical Plans 1. Many times a household has established a billing or repayment arrangement with a medical services provider prior to application. a. The HH will have a Verbal or written agreement with the medical services provider.

(24-18)(page-12)Page 12#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 20 b. The verbal or written agreement is normally for payment on a one-time medical expense 2. The repayment plan will be veriﬁed only if questionable. 3. When documenting medical repayment plans, document the amount of the one-time expense, the name and address of the provider, and the length and terms of the repayment plan. Below are the diﬀerent types of monthly payment plans and how each type is considered for SNAP. 4. How to Consider Monthly Payments for Medical Plans Monthly Installments a. Monthly installment payments on a one time medical expense in the month they are due will be considered. b. Monthly installment payments will be counted for the entire length of the payment plan, even when it spans several certiﬁcation periods. c. When a HH establishes a repayment plan after certiﬁcation, the monthly installment payments will be counted for the entire length of the payment plan only if the medical expense has not previously been considered. Refer to the SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios on an example on how to consider monthly payments for a medical plan. 5. Loans a. Monthly payments on a loan that a HH received to pay a one-time only medical expense is considered as a medical deduction. The loan, etc. will be veriﬁed to ensure that it, is in fact for a medical expense. b. Normally, additional charges are added on to a loan or charge account. This is usually in the form of interest or ﬁnance charges, etc. These additional charges are not included as part of the medical expense. 6. Charge Accounts a. Once in a while, a HH pays on a one time medical bill through a charge account, VISA, etc. b. Only the one-time medical expense as billed when the HH receives the ﬁrst charge account statement will be considered. At that time, the HH will be given the option of treating the one-time medical expense as: i. a one-time medical deduction; or ii. prorating the one-time expense over the remainder of the certiﬁcation period. iii. The payment of a one-time medical expense through a charge account as a repayment plan will not be considered. This is due to the fact that there is no means of establishing what portion of the individual’s monthly payment on the charge account is actually credited towards the medical expense, as opposed to other items that were also charged on the same account.

(24-18)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 20 T. Medical One-time Expenses 1. Consideration of a One-Time Expense a. Initial Applications i. Only the existing balance still owed in the month of application will be considered. Any portion paid prior to the month of application will not be considered. ii. For an example of consideration of a one-time medical expense for initial applications staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios. b. Reported After Initial Certiﬁcation i. Only the existing balance still owed on a one-time expense at a time it is reported will be considered. Any portion of the expense paid prior to reporting it is not allowed. ii. For an example of consideration of a one-time medical expense reported after initial certiﬁcations staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios. 2. One-Time Deduction vs Proration of a One-Time Expense a. HHs reporting a one-time only medical expense, when a repayment plan has not been established, have the option of: i. considering the expense as a one-time deduction; or ii. having the expense prorated over the certiﬁcation period (if it is reported at the time of application), or prorated over the remainder of the certiﬁcation period (if it is reported as a change during the certiﬁcation period.) b. HHs reporting a one-time only medical expense when a repayment plan has been established, have the option of: i. considering the expense as a one-time deduction; or ii. having the repayment plan considered over the length of the repayment agreement. Note: A one-time medical expense is not pro-rated when a payment plan has already been established. c. The following will be fully explained to the HH, to assist it with making a decision: i. the diﬀerence in beneﬁts, based on the various options available; ii. that a one-time expense may be considered only once, even if it remains unpaid or there is a balance still owing at a later date; and iii. that if a repayment plan already exists, it may be counted the entire length of the agreement. However, if the HH establishes a repayment plan after the one-time expense has been counted, it cannot be considered again. 3. One-Time Medical Deduction a. The following will occur if the HH elects a one-time deduction:

(24-18)(page-14)Page 14#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 14 of 20 i. It will be established whether the individual is entitled to a reimbursement for the medical expense, and if so, how much; and ii. It will then be established whether any portion of the medical expense has already been paid by the individual. iii. Once the one-time medical expense has been allowed, it is not allowed again, even if there is still a balance owing on the bill. iv. Refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example of when to not allow a one-time medical deduction. 4. Proration of the One-Time Expense a. When the HH elects to have the one-time medical expense prorated, they must: i. It will be established whether the HH has a repayment plan; and ii. Whether the individual is entitled to a reimbursement and the amount of the reimbursement will be established. b. Prorating One-Time Medical Expense at Application i. If the expense is reported and veriﬁed during the application processing period, the amount of the countable expense will be divided by the number of months in the certiﬁcation period to obtain a monthly ﬁgure. ii. Refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example of how to prorate one-time medical expenses at application. c. Prorating One-Time Medical Expenses during the Certiﬁcation Period i. If the expense is reported during the certiﬁcation period, the amount of the countable expense will be divided by the number of months remaining in the current certiﬁcation period, based on when the expenses was veriﬁed and when the change can be eﬀected to obtain a monthly ﬁgure. ii. Refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example of how to prorate one-time medical expenses during the certiﬁcation period. U. Treatment of Recurring Medical Expenses 1. Averaging vs. Actual Medical Bills a. When an individual has recurring medical expenses, he/she has an option to: i. bring in the medical bills each month for a month by month deduction; or ii. have the medical expenses averaged. b. To assist the client in making a choice, the client will be provided with suﬃcient information to make an informed decision. 2. Averaging Recurring Medical Bills a. For clients that have a predictable pattern of medical expenses each month and/or has approximately the same amount of expenses each month it may be less cumbersome for

(24-18)(page-15)Page 15#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 15 of 20 the client if the expenses are averaged rather than have them be considered on a month by month basis. b. In order to obtain an accurate average, the HH will have to provide adequate veriﬁcation of medical expense for the past three months, as a rule. c. However, some medical expenses occur less frequently than monthly, but frequently enough to be averaged [i.e. a prescription that is ﬁlled every four (4) months]. In these cases, veriﬁcation for a longer period of time will be appropriate (4-6 months) in order to accurately average the expense. 3. Using Actual Expenses a. The HH has the option of using actual medical expenses on a month-by-month basis. b. Using the actual expenses may be more beneﬁcial when the client is billed less often than monthly for an expense. c. This may happen if the HH’s only allowable medical expense is a health insurance premium paid once every three (3) months, or if the individual goes to the doctor only once every so many months. If the bills were averaged, the expense may be less than thirty ﬁve dollars ($35.00) per month, resulting in no deduction. 4. Once an expense has been allowed, it cannot be allowed again, regardless of whether the HH actually paid it. 5. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example on how use actual expenses when calculating a medical deduction. V. Changes in Medical Deductions 1. Applications a. A change may occur during the application processing period which aﬀects an individual’s eligibility for a medical deduction. These changes will be considered in determining the HH’s SNAP allotment beginning with the initial month of the certiﬁcation period. b. If the HH anticipates a medical expense several months into the certiﬁcation period and provides adequate veriﬁcation at application the HH may elect to have the expense averaged over the entire certiﬁcation period. c. When a HH reports an anticipated medical expense at the time of application but is unable to provide the veriﬁcation at that time, the expense will not be allowed until the veriﬁcation is provided. 2. Active Cases a. HHs are required to report and verify all medical expenses at the time of application and at reapplication. They may report changes in their medical expenses during the certiﬁcation period but are not required to do so. b. When a HH voluntarily reports a change, the changes will be acted upon within the normal timeframes for handling changes.

(24-18)(page-16)Page 16#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 16 of 20 c. When a change in medical expenses is discovered from a source other than the HH, the change would be acted upon if the change is considered veriﬁed and no further information is needed. If the change that was reported from another source would require a contact of the HH, the change would not be acted upon during the certiﬁcation period. 3. Death of the Eligible HH Member a. One-Time Medical Expenses - the medical expense will continue to be counted throughout the remainder of the certiﬁcation period when: i. the HH member who is eligible for the medical deduction dies; ii. the one-time medical expense was prorated over the certiﬁcation period. b. Recurring Medical Expenses - The medical deduction will be terminated within the normal criteria concerning changes which reduce beneﬁts when: i. the HH member who is eligible for the medical deduction dies; and ii. the HH is receiving a medical deduction for recurring medical expenses (either averaged over the certiﬁcation period or actual expenses). c. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example on how to treat the medical deduction for the death of the eligible HH member. 4. Expenses of a Non-Household Member - Sometimes the SNAP HH is responsible for a non- HH member’s medical expenses. a. The individual must have been an eligible HH member, and eligible for a medical deduction, immediately prior to entering the hospital or nursing home, or prior to death. b. Only the following expenses are allowed: i. hospitalization; ii. outpatient care; and iii. nursing home care. This applies, even if none of the remaining HH members are age sixty (60) or disabled. c. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example on how allow the medical expenses of a non-HH member. 5. Changes Reported in the Last Month of the Certiﬁcation Period - A HH may report and verify an allowable one-time medical expense during the last month of the certiﬁcation period. a. Household Remains Eligible at Recertiﬁcation i. If the HH continues to be eligible at recertiﬁcation, the currently existing non- reimbursable balance owed at the time is only allowed. ii. The HH has the same options available to it, as discussed under Treatment of Medical Expenses, based on whether or not it has established a repayment plan.

(24-18)(page-17)Page 17#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 17 of 20 iii. Staﬀ shall refer to SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios for an example on how treat the medical expense when the HH remains eligible at recertiﬁcation. b. Ineligible at Recertiﬁcation i. If the HH is determined ineligible at certiﬁcation, no further action is required. ii. If the HH reapplies at a later date, and is determined eligible, it will be veriﬁed whether the expense is reimbursable and the amount of the reimbursement. iii. The currently existing balance owed on the one-time expense at the time the HH reapplies and is determined eligible will only be allowed. iv. Recurring expenses that have been brought forward from previous billing periods will not be allowed. Supporting Documents Standard Utility Allowance {SUA} Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide Shelter Costs Incurred for an Unoccupied Home SNAP Deductions from Income Example Scenarios SNAP Medical Deductions Helpful Reminders Utility Allowance Chart Types of Expenses Not Allowed As Deductions Renewal Veriﬁcation Requirement Required Veriﬁcations

(24-18)(page-18)Page 18#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 18 of 20 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition BUA Basic Utility Allowance DAA Drug Addiction and/or Alcoholism Disabled 1. FS (Work Registration) An individual having mental or physical impairment which renders him or her incapable of gainful employment either permanently or temporarily will be exempt from work registration requirements for the SNAP Program 2. FS (Disability for Entitlement to Special Consideration Regarding Medical Deductions, Excess Shelter Deductions, Use of Net Income Standards, and Separate Household Status for Parent/Child and Siblings) An individual is considered disabled if he or she meets any of the following and will be eligible for special income and deduction considerations when determining SNAP eligibility and allotment amounts: a. receives payments for disability or blindness under Titles I, II, X, XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act; b. receives federally, or state administered supplemental benefits under section 212(a) of Public Law 93-66; c. receives disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under section 221(i) of the Social Security Act; d. is a veteran receiving VA benefits for a service or non-service connected disability rated or paid as total (EX.100%), or is considered by VA standards to be in need of regular aid and attendance, or considered permanently housebound; e. is a disabled surviving spouse of a veteran and is considered by VA standards to be in need of regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound; f. is a disabled surviving child of a veteran and is considered by VA standards to be permanently incapable of self-support; g. is a surviving spouse or child of a veteran and entitled to VA compensation for a service connected death or VA pension benefits for a non-service connected death and has a disability considered permanent under the Social Security Act; Note: “Entitled” as used in this definition refers to surviving spouses and children of veterans who are receiving the compensation or benefits stated above, or have been approved for such payments but are not receiving them. h. receives an annuity payment under section 2(a)(1)(iv) of Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be eligible to receive Medicare by the Railroad Retirement Board; i. receives an annuity payment under section 2(a)(i)(v) of the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 and is determined to be disabled based on the criteria used under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (SSI); j. receives interim or presumptive payments pending receipt of SSI; or k. receives medical assistance based on disability under title XIX (Medicaid). FS (Disability for Determining Eligibility of Separate Household Status of Elderly Individuals Living With Others and Not Purchasing Food and Preparing Meals Separately from Others) Disability for this purpose is deﬁned as a disability considered permanent under the Social Security Act or any other non-disease related, severe permanent disability which would prevent the individuals from purchasing and preparing their own food. Elderly For SNAP Program purposes, a person sixty (60) years of age or older or is ﬁfty nine (59) years old on the date of application and will be sixty (60) before the end of the month of application.

(24-18)(page-19)Page 19#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 19 of 20 Term Deﬁnition Energy Assistance Payment Any payment made to a household or utility company, which is earmarked speciﬁcally to pay a household’s utility costs. These may be paid from federal, state, or local programs, private agencies, etc. FmHA Farmers Home Administration HH Household HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban Development IPV Intentional Program Violation LIHEAP Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Medicaid A Federal and State funded medical insurance program administered in this state by the Tennessee Department of Public Health—Medicaid Division. Beneﬁts are available only for certain groups of people. The Federal base for the program is Title XIX of the Social Security Act as amended. Medicare A hospital insurance beneﬁt and supplemental medical insurance beneﬁt program administered by the Social Security Administration for certain individuals who receive Social Security beneﬁts. Administered under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act as amended. Other Qualiﬁed Health Professional Other qualiﬁed health professionals include registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, certiﬁed registered nurse anesthetists, and physical, speech, occupational, and massage therapists. All have demonstrated skill and expertise in their ﬁeld of study to complete the education and regulatory requirements, to obtain licensure, and to remain in good standing with the respective licensing boards. TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services SSA Social Security Administration SSI Supplemental Security Income SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance SSN Social Security Number SUA Standard Utility Allowance VA Veteran’s Administration Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual, April 2016, Chapters 23 and 25. Authority Federal Regulations 7 CFR § 273.9; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 4-5-202, 71-1-105, 71-3-157, 71-3-158; 7 USC§ 2014 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors

(24-18)(page-20)Page 20#

Subject: SNAP Deductions from Income

Policy 24.18 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 09/17/2018 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 20 of 20 Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 08/27/2018 09/17/2018 N/A New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 08/27/2018 09/17/2018 Current Approver

(24-19)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.19 Transitional SNAP#

(24-19)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 2 Transitional SNAP Policy 24.19 Eﬀective: June 15, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) may provide Transitional Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneﬁts to active SNAP households that become ineligible for Families First due to a change that caused earnings to exceed the Families First income standard. Scope This policy was developed to outline the eligibility requirements for customers to receive Transitional SNAP. Policy Eligibility Requirements Transitional SNAP (T-SNAP) benefits may be provided to existing SNAP households when their Families First cash assistance closes because of new or increased earnings, or because another change in circumstances causes existing earnings to exceed the Families First income standard. The household has the option to choose T-SNAP or work incentive payments (WIP), but not both. If the customer chooses T-SNAP, benefits will start the first month following Families First closure and shall be received up to five (5) months. Transitional SNAP shall continue throughout the five-month period unless the household re-applies and is approved for Families First or the household re-applies and is approved for regular SNAP benefits. 1. T-SNAP Eligibility is not contingent on all SNAP household members receiving Families First, but ineligible or disqualiﬁed individuals would not be eligible for T-SNAP if they were not eligible for SNAP. 2. Households sanctioned for Families First non-compliance when a corresponding SNAP sanction is in place or SNAP sanction must be imposed would not be eligible for T-SNAP. 3. If there is an open Families First case remaining within the SNAP household, the SNAP household would not be eligible for T-SNAP.

(24-19)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: Transitional SNAP

Policy 24.19 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 2 Changes A household receiving T-SNAP is not required to report changes during the ﬁve (5) month period but may apply for regular SNAP at any time if they wish to increase the level of SNAP beneﬁts because of changes that have occurred. Supporting Documents Transitional SNAP Procedures Transitional SNAP (T-SNAP) Desk Guide Families First Work Incentive Payments Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program WIP Work Incentive Payment T-SNAP Transitional SNAP Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual 2017 Chapter 32 PUN 24.05-19.01 Bulletin 14 FA-12-06 AIA-04-25 Authority 7 CFR §§ 273.4, Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 71-5-305, Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-3-.08-14 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/01/2021 06/15/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 06/01/2021 06/15/2021 Current Approver

(24-20)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.20 SNAP Strikers#

(24-20)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 2 SNAP Strikers Policy 24.20 Eﬀective: July 1, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall follow state and federal guidelines on how to determine eligibility for households that contain a striker. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide procedures and guidelines for staﬀ to assist them in making a determination of eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for households that contain a striker. Policy Households with striking members are ineligible to participate in the SNAP program, unless such households were eligible for beneﬁts the day prior to the strike and are otherwise eligible at the time of application. 1. Persons who would be considered strikers include the following: a. Anyone involved in a strike or concerted stoppage for work by employees (including a stoppage by reason of the expiration of collective-bargaining agreement) and any concerted slowdown or other concerted interruption of operations by employees. b. All non-working members of the bargaining unit which is on strike even if they are not members of the union and regardless of whether they are afraid to cross a picket line. c. Employees who participate in sympathy and support strikers who are members of the bargaining unit; or d. Employees who get another job while on strike but who did not resign from the company. 2. Persons who would not be considered strikers include the following: a. Employees who are not members of the bargaining unit and who are not participating in a sympathy or support strike but who claim they are afraid to cross the picket line b. Employees who are ﬁred by the company while on strike c. Employees who oﬃcially resign from their job while on strike

(24-20)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Strikers

Policy 24.20 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 2 d. Persons whose jobs are no longer available when the company hires permanent replacements for strikers e. Strikers oﬀered diﬀerent jobs when the company will not allow them to return to their old jobs; f. Employees who are locked out by the company the day before the strike g. Employees laid oﬀ when the strike began h. Employees who are not members of the bargaining unit that cannot do their jobs because of the strike (such as truck drivers) or i. Employees who are exempt from the SNAP work registration requirement prior to the strike for reasons other than employment (see also SNAP Policy 24.11 Work Requirements) 3. Any Federal, State, or Local Government Employee, who participates in a strike against such governments and is dismissed from their job because of participation in the strike, shall be considered to have voluntarily quit their job without good cause. See SNAP Policy 24.16 Voluntary Quit Supporting Documents Procedures for a Household that Contains a Striker SNAP Policy 24.11 Work Requirements SNAP Policy 24.16 Voluntary Quit Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Striker The refusal of employees to perform work that their employer has assigned to them in order to force the employer to grant certain demands. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual July 2017 Chapter 45 Authority 7 CFR § 273.1(e) Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/17/2021 07/01/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 06/17/2021 07/01/2021 Current Approver

(24-21)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.21 SNAP Destitute Households or Seasonal Farmworkers#

(24-21)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 3 SNAP Destitute Households Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers Policy 24.21 Eﬀective: July 1, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall determine eligibility for migrant or seasonal farmworker households that are classiﬁed as destitute diﬀerently for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) than other potentially eligible SNAP households. Scope This policy was developed to outline the requirements for households that are determined to be migrant or seasonal farmworker households that are classiﬁed as destitute. Policy Destitute Migrant or Seasonal Farmworker Households Migrant or seasonal farmworker households may be entitled to expedited service and special income calculation procedures due to little or no income and may need immediate food assistance. Households other than migrant or seasonal farmworker households shall not be classiﬁed as destitute. Migrant or seasonal farmworker households are considered destitute when their resources do not exceed one hundred dollars ($100) and: 1. their only income for the application month is received from a terminated source prior to the application date; 2. their only income for the application month is from a new source and not more than twenty- ﬁve dollars ($25) from the new income source will be received by the tenth (10th) calendar day after the application date; or 3. their only income for the application month is received both from a terminated and a new source as described above.

(24-21)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Destitute Households Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers Policy 24.21 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 3 Determination of Eligibility for Destitute Households Destitute households shall have their eligibility and level of beneﬁts calculated for the month of application by considering only income which is received between the ﬁrst of the month and the date of application. Any income from a new source that is anticipated after the day of application shall be disregarded. At recertiﬁcation, income from a new source will be disregarded in the ﬁrst month if no more than twenty-ﬁve dollars ($25) will be received by the tenth (10th) calendar day after the date of the household’s normal issuance date. A migrant or seasonal farmworker’s source of income is considered to be the grower for whom the migrant is working at a particular point in time, and not the crew chief. A migrant who moves from one grower to another is considered to have moved from a terminated to a new income source. Supporting Documents Income Source for Destitute Household SNAP Policy 24.10 Residency Requirements SNAP Policy 24.16 Voluntary Quit SNAP Policy 24.11 Work Requirements Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Migrant A person who moves from place to place to get work, especially a farm laborer who harvests crops seasonally. Destitute Not having or lacking the basic needs of life, such as food, clothing and/or shelter. Expedited To make a process happen sooner and be accomplished more quickly. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual July 2017 Chapter 30 Authority 7 CFR §273.10(e)(3)

(24-21)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Destitute Households Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers Policy 24.21 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/01/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 3 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/04/2021 07/01/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 06/04/2021 07/01/2021 Current Approver:

(24-22)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.22 SNAP Claims and Issuances#

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Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 15 SNAP Claims and Issuances Policy 24.22 Eﬀective: August 15, 2019 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services shall follow departmental guidelines regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payment allotments for retroactive periods of eligibility, over issuances, and ﬁling claims for over issuances. Scope This policy outlines departmental procedures governing the authorization of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payment allotments, for any retroactive period of eligibility and for ongoing certification period. Additionally, this policy also covers how to treat over issuances and when to file a claim as a result of an over issuance. Filing a claim entails field staff submitting the information to the Office of Inspector General for review and action, if appropriate. Policy A. Method of Delivery 1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Payment (SNAP) beneﬁts are authorized by Automated Client Certiﬁcation and Eligibility Network (ACCENT) and mailed to the address the client or authorized representative (Auth Rep) has provided. 2. Beneﬁts can be mailed to the recipient's home, the county oﬃce, or a separate mailing address designated by the household (HH). Certain guidelines must be followed in determining where beneﬁts should be mailed: a. Staﬀ shall refer to Documenting Addresses in ACCENT and Returned Mail in ACCENT for instructions that detail what steps must be taken when documenting an address in ACCENT for clients that choose the county oﬃce as their mailing address. b. Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer (EBT) cards or Personal Identiﬁcation Number (PIN) information will not be issued to TDHS staﬀ members unless the staﬀ member is certiﬁed to participate in SNAP in his or her own right (refer to Policy 24.01 SNAP General

(24-22)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 15 Administrative Procedures under Section F “Applications by Department Employees, their Relatives, or Other Individuals Who Are Known to the Employee”). c. EBT cards or PIN information will not be sent or delivered to “General Delivery” or “in care of” an address other than the household’s residence, unless speciﬁcally requested by the HH to do so. d. The case will be documented to reﬂect the reason(s) for not mailing EBT cards or PIN information to the HH’s physical address. e. EBT cards or PIN information will not be issued “in care of” a particular merchant or business establishment. f. Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities in the SNAP Policy Manual goes over the policies that apply when the client has an address change, lost beneﬁts, or case closure. This information may apply when the post oﬃce returns EBT cards or PIN information to the county oﬃce. B. Designation of a Head of Household and Authorized Representative 1. The eligibility counselor must designate the person in whose name the SNAP benefits will be issued. This individual will be the person designated as head of the HH. Staff shall refer to Policy 24.04 SNAP Household Composition on designating a head of HH. 2. The A/R may name an Auth Rep to apply, receive, and/or use beneﬁts on behalf of the head of HH. Staﬀ shall refer to Policy 24.05 SNAP Authorized Representatives to identify who may qualify as an Auth Rep and designating an Auth Rep. C. Establishing Claims against Households 1. The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall establish a claim against any HH that has received more SNAP beneﬁts than it is entitled to receive, except in circumstances mentioned in section D of this policy when claims should not be established. Claims shall be classiﬁed as follows: a. Inadvertent Household Error Claims A claim shall be handled as an inadvertent HH error if the over issuance was caused by a misunderstanding or unintended error on the part of the HH. Instances of inadvertent HH error, which may result in claims, include but are not limited to, the following: i. The HH unintentionally failed to provide TDHS with correct or complete information; or ii. The HH unintentionally failed to report to TDHS changes in its HH circumstances and the recipient or responsible person states that he/she did not understand his/her responsibility to provide full information or to report changes in circumstances or he/she did not understand the eligibility requirements and the record does not show that all of these considerations were explained; or iii. The HH received beneﬁts, or more beneﬁts, than it was entitled to receive pending a fair hearing decision, because the HH requested a continuation of beneﬁts based on the belief that it was entitled to such beneﬁts.

(24-22)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 15 b. Administrative Error Claims A claim shall be handled as an administrative error if the over issuance was caused by TDHS. Instances of administrative error which may result in a claim include, but are not limited to, the following: i. TDHS failed to take prompt action on a change reported by the HH. ii. TDHS incorrectly computed the HH’s income and/or deductions or otherwise assigned an incorrect allotment. iii. TDHS incorrectly issued duplicate allotments to the HH. iv. TDHS continued to provide a HH SNAP allotment after its certiﬁcation period had expired, without beneﬁt of a recertiﬁcation. c. Intentional Program Violation (IPV) An IPV shall consist of having intentionally: i. Made a false or misleading statement, or misrepresented, concealed or withheld facts; or ii. Committed any act that constitutes a violation of the SNAP Act, the SNAP Regulations, or any State statute for the purpose of using, presenting, transferring, acquiring, receiving, possessing or traﬃcking of beneﬁts, or electronic beneﬁt cards or devices that deliver beneﬁts. 2. A claim shall be handled as an IPV claim only if: a. An administrative disqualiﬁcation hearing (ADH) oﬃcial or a court of appropriate jurisdiction has determined that a HH member committed an IPV as deﬁned below under “Intentional Program Violations”; or b. The HH member is disqualiﬁed as a result of signing HS-32475 Waiver of Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing; or. c. The HH member signed HS-3245 Disqualiﬁcation Consent Agreement. D. Instances When Claims shall not be established 1. A claim shall not be established against any HH if an over issuance occurred as a result of procedural errors and the county oﬃce failed to ensure that a HH fulﬁlled the following procedural requirements: a. Signed an application; or b. Completed a current work registration form; or c. Was certiﬁed in the correct project area. 2. Cases in which the claim is two hundred dollars ($200) or less will not be referred to investigations (unless referred by Quality Control) based on TDHS claims plan.

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Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 15 E. Calculating the Amount of a Claim 1. The amount of a claim for an over issuance shall be equal to the diﬀerence between the allotment the HH received and the allotment the HH should have received for each month of over issuance. 2. Once the amount of a claim is established, the claim must be oﬀset against any amount of lost beneﬁts that have not yet been restored to the HH. 3. Inadvertent HH and administrative error claims shall be calculated based on the amount of over issuance which occurred during the twelve (12) months preceding the date the over issuance was discovered. 4. IPV claims shall be calculated back to the month the act of intentional program violation occurred, but no more than six (6) years prior to discovery, providing case record and issuance information are available. No claim shall be calculated for any month prior to March 1, 1979. 5. In cases involving reported (or unreported) changes, the county shall determine the month the over issuance initially occurred as outlined below: a. If the HH inadvertently or intentionally failed to report a change in its circumstances within the required time-frame, the ﬁrst (1st) month of over issuance shall be the ﬁrst (1st) month in which the change would have been eﬀective had it been timely reported. b. If the HH reported a change timely, but the county did not act on the change within the required time-frame, the ﬁrst (1st) month aﬀected by the county’s failure to act shall be the ﬁrst (1st) month the county would have made the change eﬀective had it acted timely. c. In no event shall the county determine as the ﬁrst (1st) month in which the change would have been eﬀective any month later than two (2) months from the month in which the change in HH circumstances occurred. 6. When a HH has failed to report earned income in a timely manner, no earned income deduction, shall be allowed in determining the amount of over issuance that has occurred. F. Intentional Program Violations 1. For the purpose of determining through Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearings (ADH) whether or not a person has committed an IPV: a. The A/R intentionally: i. made a false or misleading statement; misrepresented, concealed or withheld facts, or ii. traded SNAP beneﬁts for cash, or iii. committed any act that constitutes a violation of the SNAP Act, the SNAP Program Regulations, or any state statute relating to the use, presentation, transfer, acquisition, receipt, or possession of SNAP beneﬁts. b. The A/R is found by a Federal, State or local court to have used or received beneﬁts in a transaction involving the sale of ﬁrearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances, or

(24-22)(page-5)Page 5#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 15 c. The A/R is an individual convicted by a Federal, State or local court of having traﬃcked beneﬁts for an aggregate amount of ﬁve hundred dollars ($500) or more, or d. For further details on traﬃcking, see Policy 2.01 Investigations Resulting from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Traﬃcking Oﬀenses. 2. Administrative Responsibility a. TDHS shall be responsible for investigating any case of alleged IPV, and ensuring that appropriate cases are acted upon either through ADHs or referral to a court of appropriate jurisdiction. b. Individuals accused of IPV may waive their rights to ADHs or sign HS-3245 Disqualiﬁcation Consent Agreement or cases of pre-trial diversion. c. The requirements and procedures relating to ADHs, waiver of the hearing, and referrals for prosecution are outlined in the rules of the Administrative Procedures Division (Refer to 1240-5-1 Intentional Program Violations). 3. Disqualiﬁcation Penalties for individuals who commit IPVs. The ADH oﬃcial or a court of appropriate jurisdiction determines that a HH member has committed an IPV as deﬁned above in the introduction to this section, or if the HH member signs a waiver of right to an ADH or a disqualiﬁcation consent agreement, that individual shall be disqualiﬁed from participation in SNAP as follows: a. One (1) year for the ﬁrst (1st) violation, b. Two (2) years for the second (2nd) violation, or for the ﬁrst (1st) occasion of a ﬁnding by a Federal, State, or local court of the trading of coupons for a controlled substance as deﬁned in 8 USC § 802. c. Permanently for the third (3rd) violation. d. Permanently if convicted of traﬃcking in SNAP beneﬁts of ﬁve hundred dollars ($500) or more, or for the second (2nd) occasion of a ﬁnding by a Federal, State or local court of the trading SNAP beneﬁts for a controlled substance as deﬁned in 8 USC § 802, or for the ﬁrst occasion, based on a ﬁnding by a Federal, State or local court of the trading of ﬁrearms, ammunition, or explosives for coupons; e. Ten (10) years if found to have made a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to identity and residence in order to receive multiple beneﬁts simultaneously, or f. The length of time speciﬁed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction. If the court fails to impose a disqualiﬁcation period, TDHS shall impose the disqualiﬁcation penalties in above, unless the penalties are contrary to the court order. g. One (1) or more IPVs, which occurred prior to April 1983, shall be considered as only one (1) previous violation when determining the appropriate penalty to impose. h. The disqualiﬁcation shall apply only to the individual who is found to have committed the IPV, or who signed a waiver to the ADH, or who signed a disqualiﬁcation consent agreement. It does not apply to the entire HH.

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Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 15 i. Once a HH member is disqualiﬁed for an IPV, TDHS shall impose allotment reduction as the means of restitution. j. TDHS shall inform the HH in writing of the disqualiﬁcation penalties for IPV each time it applies for program beneﬁts. 4. Imposition of Disqualiﬁcation Penalties a. The disqualiﬁcation penalties outlined in section F.3. above shall apply only to individuals disqualiﬁed for acts of IPV which occurred either during a certiﬁcation period based on an application containing these penalties or after receipt of written notiﬁcation from TDHS of these penalties. b. If the act of IPV, which led to the disqualiﬁcation, occurred prior to written notiﬁcation of these disqualiﬁcation penalties, the HH member shall be disqualiﬁed in accordance with the disqualiﬁcation periods in eﬀect at the time of the rendering of such determination. However, no disqualiﬁcation penalty may be imposed which is contrary to court order. c. Appropriate disqualiﬁcation penalties as outlined in section F.3 above shall be imposed (unless contrary to court order) on HH members in the following instances: i. An ADH oﬃcial rules that the HH member has committed an IPV. The disqualiﬁcation period shall begin no later than the second (2nd) month following written notice of the disqualiﬁcation by the Division of Appeals and Hearings. ii. The HH member suspected of IPV signs HS-3247 Waiver of Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing, and the signed waiver is received within the timeframe speciﬁed by TDHS. The disqualiﬁcation period shall begin with the ﬁrst (1st) month following the date the individual receives the written notiﬁcation from the Division of Appeals and Hearings. iii. A court of appropriate jurisdiction ﬁnds the HH member guilty of IPV. In such cases, TDHS shall disqualify the individual for the length of time imposed within forty-ﬁve (45) days of the date the disqualiﬁcation was ordered by the court. If the court fails to impose a disqualiﬁcation period, TDHS shall impose a disqualiﬁcation period in accordance with section F.3 above. If the court does not specify a date for initiating the disqualiﬁcation period, TDHS shall initiate the disqualiﬁcation period within forty-ﬁve (45) days of the court order. iv. The HH member suspected of IPV signs HS-3245 Disqualiﬁcation Consent Agreement in cases of pre-trial diversion. The period of disqualiﬁcation shall begin within forty-ﬁve (45) days of signing the disqualiﬁcation consent agreement. v. Once a disqualiﬁcation penalty has been imposed against an individual, the period of disqualiﬁcation shall continue uninterrupted until completed regardless of eligibility of the disqualiﬁed member's HH. The disqualiﬁed member's HH shall continue to be responsible for repayment of the over issuance, which resulted from the disqualiﬁed member's IPV, regardless of its eligibility for beneﬁts.

(24-22)(page-7)Page 7#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 15 5. For further details, see Policy 2.00 Suspected Intentional Program Violations and Intentional Program Violations. G. Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing TDHS shall conduct administrative disqualiﬁcation hearings for individuals accused of IPV in accordance with the requirements and procedures outlined in Section 1240-5-14-.04 of the Administrative Procedures rules. H. Waived Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing An individual is allowed to waive his/ her right to an administrative disqualiﬁcation hearing (ADH) in accordance with the requirements and procedures outlined in Section 1240-5-14-.05 of the Administrative Procedures rules. Staﬀ shall refer to HS-3247 Waiver of Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing. I. Court Referrals TDHS shall refer appropriate cases of alleged IPV for prosecution by a court of appropriate jurisdiction in accordance with the procedures and requirements outlined in Section 1240-5-14- .06 of the Administrative Procedures rules. J. Pre-Trial Diversion Individuals referred for prosecution for IPV may be allowed to sign HS-3245 Disqualiﬁcation Consent Agreement. K. Collecting Claims against Households 1. Criteria for Initiating Collection Action For inadvertent HH and administrative error claims, TDHS will initiate collection action against the HH on all inadvertent HH or administrative error claims unless the claim is collected through oﬀset or one of the following conditions applies: a. The total amount of the claim is less than thirty-ﬁve dollars ($35), and the claim cannot be recovered through a SNAP beneﬁt allotment reduction. Collection action on these claims will be initiated at times when multiple claims of under thirty-ﬁve dollars ($35) total thirty- ﬁve dollars ($35) or more. b. TDHS has documentation which shows that the HH cannot be located. c. An inadvertent HH error claim is being referred for possible prosecution or for administrative disqualiﬁcation, and TDHS determines that collection action will prejudice the case. In these instances, collection action may be postponed. 2. Intentional Program Violation Claims If a HH member is found to have committed an IPV (by an ADH oﬃcial or a court of appropriate jurisdiction) or has signed a waiver of right to an ADH, or a disqualiﬁcation consent agreement, TDHS shall initiate collection action against the individual/household, unless one of the following conditions applies: a. The HH has repaid the over issuance already,

(24-22)(page-8)Page 8#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 15 b. TDHS has documentation which shows the HH cannot be located, c. TDHS determines that collection action will prejudice the case against a HH member who has been referred for prosecution. 3. Initiating Collection on Claims TDHS shall initiate collection action by providing the HH a written demand letter containing the following information: a. The amount owed by the HH, b. The reason for the claim, c. The period of time the claim covers, d. Any oﬀsetting that was done to reduce the claim, e. How the HH may pay the claim, f. The HH’s right to a fair hearing if the HH disagrees with the amount of the claim, unless the HH has already had a fair hearing on the amount of the claim as a result of consolidation of the ADH with the fair hearing, and g. Information regarding free legal representation, if there is an individual or organization available that provides free legal representation. 4. Action against Households Which Fail to Respond to Collection Action a. If the HH against which collection action has been initiated for repayment of any claim regardless of class is currently participating in the program and does not respond to the written demand letter within thirty (30) days of the date the notice is mailed for the claim, TDHS will reduce the HH’s SNAP allotment after adverse notiﬁcation is received. b. TDHS sends an initial demand letter on a claim. The individual may request a fair hearing within the ﬁrst ninety (90) days after receipt of the initial demand letter. c. TDHS may also pursue other collection actions, as appropriate, to obtain restitution of a claim against any HH which fails to respond to a written demand letter for repayment of any inadvertent HH error, administrative error, or IPV claim. 5. Suspending Collection of Claims a. Inadvertent Household and Administrative Error Claims An inadvertent HH or administrative error claim may be suspended if no collection action was initiated because the claim is less than thirty-ﬁve dollars ($35) and cannot be recovered through allotment reduction, HH cannot be located, or the claim is being referred for prosecution or for ADH. Collection action of an inadvertent HH error claim against a nonparticipating HH or of any administrative error claim may be suspended when: i. The HH cannot be located; or

(24-22)(page-9)Page 9#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 15 ii. The cost of further collection action is likely to exceed the amount that can be recovered. b. Intentional Program Violation Claims TDHS may suspend collection action on IPV claims when: i. TDHS has documentation that the HH cannot be located, or ii. For nonparticipating HHs TDHS has sent at least one (1) demand letter for claims under one hundred dollars ($100); at least two (2) demand letters for claims between one hundred dollars ($100) and four hundred dollars ($400); and the cost of further collection action is likely to exceed the amount that can be recovered. 6. Terminating Collection of Claims A claim may be determined uncollectible after it is held in suspense for three (3) years. TDHS may use a suspended or terminated claim to oﬀset beneﬁts. 7. Collection Action When the Household Composition Changes When the membership of a HH with an over issuance claim changes, collection action will be initiated as follows: a. Inadvertent Household and Administrative Error Claims i. TDHS shall initiate collection from the HH containing the head of the HH at the time the over issuance occurred. ii. If repayment cannot be obtained from such a HH, TDHS shall initiate collection from any HH containing an adult who was a member of the HH in which the over issuance occurred. b. TDHS may grant a HH relief in repayment of their claim(s) dependent on the HH’s economic capability to repay the claim within three (3) to ﬁve (5) years if the HH is inactive on beneﬁts and the claim is not certiﬁed on the Treasury Oﬀset Program. i. Language has been added to the request for repayment letter that the HH may request consideration to waive or reduce the repayment on their claim. ii. The notice of the right to request a waiver is printed on each claim notice. 8. Intentional Program Violation Claims a. TDHS shall initiate collection action against the HH which committed an IPV and received the over issuance for which the claim was established. b. If repayment cannot be obtained from the person who committed the IPV, TDHS shall initiate collection action against the HH containing the individual who was head of the HH at the time the act(s) of IPV occurred. c. If repayment cannot be obtained from such HH, TDHS shall initiate collection against any HH containing an adult who was a member of the HH in which the over issuance occurred.

(24-22)(page-10)Page 10#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 15 d. IPV claims are not compromised at all and cannot be negotiated. 9. Staﬀ shall refer to Methods of Collecting Payments for a Claim on the diﬀerent methods used to collect payments for claims. For HHs subject to allotment reduction, the amount of SNAP to be recovered each month through allotment reduction shall be determined as follows: a. Administrative Error and Inadvertent HH Error Claims. For these claims, the amount of SNAP shall be the greater of ten (10%) percent of the HH’s monthly allotment or ten dollars ($10) per month. b. For IPV claims, the amount of SNAP shall be the greater of twenty (20%) percent of the HH’s monthly entitlement or twenty dollars ($20) per month. 10.Overpaid Claims If a HH has overpaid a claim, TDHS shall pay the HH any amounts overpaid as soon as possible after the overpayment becomes known. 11.Interstate Claims Collection a. When a HH moves to another state, TDHS shall initiate or continue collection action against the HH for any over issuance to the HH which occurred while it was under TDHS jurisdiction. b. If repayment cannot be obtained from the person who committed the IPV, TDHS shall initiate collection action against the HH containing the individual who was head of the HH at the time the act(s) of IPV occurred. c. If repayment cannot be obtained from such HH, TDHS shall initiate collection against any HH containing an adult who was a member of the HH in which the over issuance occurred. d. IPV claims are not compromised at all and cannot be negotiated. 12.Staﬀ shall refer to Methods of Collecting Payments for a Claim on the diﬀerent methods used to collect payments for claims. For HHs subject to allotment reduction, the amount of SNAP to be recovered each month through allotment reduction shall be determined as follows: a. Administrative Error and Inadvertent HH Error Claims. For these claims, the amount of SNAP shall be the greater of ten (10%) percent of the HH’s monthly allotment or ten dollars ($10) per month. b. For IPV claims, the amount of SNAP shall be the greater of twenty (20%) percent of the HH’s monthly entitlement or twenty dollars ($20) per month. 13.Overpaid Claims If a HH has overpaid a claim, TDHS shall pay the HH any amounts overpaid as soon as possible after the overpayment becomes known. 14.Interstate Claims Collection

(24-22)(page-11)Page 11#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 15 When a HH moves to another state, TDHS shall initiate or continue collection action against the HH for any over issuance to the HH which occurred while it was under TDHS jurisdiction. L. Restoration of Lost Beneﬁts 1. Restored Beneﬁts a. The county oﬃce shall restore to the HH beneﬁts which were lost when the loss was caused by an administrative error; or b. when an administrative disqualiﬁcation decision for IPV is subsequently reversed; or c. when federal regulations speciﬁcally state that a HH is entitled to restoration of lost beneﬁts. d. Beneﬁts shall be restored for not more than twelve (12) months prior to whichever of the following occurred ﬁrst: e. The date TDHS receives a request for restoration from a HH; or f. The date TDHS is notiﬁed or otherwise discovers that a loss to a HH has occurred. 2. Judicial Action a. The county oﬃce shall restore to a HH beneﬁts, which were found by any judicial action to have been wrongfully withheld. b. If the judicial action is the ﬁrst action the recipient has taken to obtain restoration of lost beneﬁts, then beneﬁts shall be restored for a period of not more than twelve months from the date the court action was initiated. c. When the judicial action is a review of a county oﬃce action, the beneﬁts shall be restored for a period of not more than twelve (12) months from the ﬁrst of the following dates: d. The date TDHS receives a request for restoration; or e. If no request for restoration is received, the date the fair hearing action was initiated; but f. Never more than one year from when TDHS is notiﬁed of, or discovers the loss. 3. Errors Discovered by the County Oﬃce a. If the county oﬃce determines that a loss of beneﬁts has occurred, and the HH is entitled to restoration of those beneﬁts, the county oﬃce shall automatically take action to restore any beneﬁts that were lost. No action by the HH is necessary. b. However, beneﬁts shall not be restored: c. If the beneﬁts were lost more than twelve (12) months prior to the month the loss was discovered by the county oﬃce in the normal course of business; or d. Beneﬁts were lost more than twelve (12) months prior to the month the county oﬃce was notiﬁed in writing or orally of a possible loss to a speciﬁc HH. e. Errors due to application/certiﬁcation processing due to TDHS fault (i .e., certiﬁcations delayed for more than one (1) year), the restoration of beneﬁts is limited to a period of

(24-22)(page-12)Page 12#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 15 not more than twelve (12) months prior to the date on which TDHS is notiﬁed, or otherwise discovers that a loss to a HH has occurred. 4. Notiﬁcation of Method of Restoration When the county oﬃce determines that a loss of beneﬁts has occurred, the HH shall be notiﬁed, in writing, of the following: a. entitlement to restored beneﬁts; b. the amount of beneﬁts to be restored; c. any oﬀsetting that was done; d. the method of restoration; and e. the right to appeal through the fair hearing process if the household disagrees with any aspect of the proposed lost beneﬁt restoration. 5. Method of Restoration a. Regardless of whether a HH is currently eligible or ineligible, the county oﬃce shall restore lost beneﬁts to a HH by issuing an allotment equal to the amount of beneﬁts that were lost. b. The amount restored shall be issued in addition to the allotment currently eligible HHs are entitled to receive. 6. Deviations The county oﬃce shall honor reasonable requests by HHs to restore lost beneﬁts in monthly installments if, for example, the HH fears that the amount to be restored is more than it can use in a reasonable period of time. 7. Household Composition Changes a. Whenever lost beneﬁts are due to a HH and the HH’s membership has changed, the county oﬃce shall restore the lost beneﬁts to the HH containing a majority of the individuals who were HH members at the time the loss occurred. b. If the county oﬃce cannot locate or determine the HH which contains a majority of the HH members, the county oﬃce shall restore the lost beneﬁts to the HH containing the individual who was head of the HH at the time the loss occurred. 8. Computing the Amount to be Restored After correcting the loss for future months and excluding those months for which beneﬁts may have been lost prior to the twelve (12) month time limits, staﬀ shall refer to Computing the Amount of Restoration to determine the amount of SNAP beneﬁts to be restored. 9. Oﬀsetting Claims a. If a claim against a HH is unpaid or held in suspense, the amount to be restored shall be oﬀset against the amount due on the claim before the balance, if any, is restored to the HH.

(24-22)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 15 b. At that point in time when the HH is certiﬁed and received an initial allotment, the initial allotment shall not be reduced to oﬀset claims, even if the initial allotment is paid retroactively. 10.Disputed Beneﬁts a. Household disagrees with TDHS i. If the county oﬃce determines that a HH is entitled to restoration of lost beneﬁts, but the HH does not agree with the amount to be restored as calculated by the county oﬃce or any other action taken by the county to restore lost beneﬁts, the HH may request a fair hearing within ninety (90) days of the date the HH is notiﬁed of its entitlement to restoration of lost beneﬁts. ii. If a fair hearing is requested prior to or during the time lost beneﬁts are being restored, the HH shall receive the lost beneﬁts as determined by the county oﬃce, pending the results of the fair hearing. iii. If the fair hearing decision is favorable to the HH, the county shall restore lost beneﬁts in accordance with that decision. b. TDHS disagrees with Household i. If a HH believes it is entitled to restoration of lost beneﬁts but the county oﬃce, after reviewing the case ﬁle, does not agree, the HH has ninety (90) days from the date of the county oﬃce's determination to request a fair hearing. ii. The county oﬃce shall restore lost beneﬁts to the HH only if the fair hearing decision is favorable to the HH. iii. Beneﬁts lost more than twelve (12) months prior to the date the county oﬃce was initially informed of the HH’s possible entitlement to lost beneﬁts shall not be restored. 11.Entitlement to Lost Beneﬁts for Individuals Who Were Disqualiﬁed for Intentional Program Violation a. Individuals disqualiﬁed for IPV are entitled to restoration of any beneﬁts lost during the months they were disqualiﬁed only if the disqualiﬁcation decision is subsequently reversed. b. The months covered in the restoration must not exceed twelve (12) months prior to the date the county received notiﬁcation. c. For each month the individual was disqualiﬁed, the amount to be restored, if any, shall be determined by comparing the allotment the HH received with the allotment the HH would have received had the disqualiﬁed member been allowed to participate. d. If the HH received a smaller allotment than it should have received, the diﬀerence equals the amount that should have been restored. e. Participation in an ADH in which the HH contests TDHS assertion of IPV shall be considered notiﬁcation that the HH is requesting restored beneﬁts.

(24-22)(page-14)Page 14#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 14 of 15 12.Claims Against a Deceased Individual Collection stops when there are no other adult individuals to pursue unless the State decides to pursue collection of the debt against the estate of the deceased individual through Chancery Court. Supporting Documents HS-3245 Disqualiﬁcation Consent Agreement (Instructions) HS-3247 Waiver of Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing (Instructions) HS-3247 Waiver of Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing (Spanish) Documenting Addresses in ACCENT and Returned Mail Policy 24.01 SNAP General Administrative Procedures SNAP Policy Manual, August 2017 Policy 24.04 SNAP Household Composition Policy 24.05 SNAP Authorized Representatives Policy 2.00 Suspected Intentional Program Violations and Intentional Program Violations Policy 2.01 Investigations Resulting from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Traﬃcking Oﬀenses Policy 2.02 Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) Investigations Unit’s Claims Processing Procedures Methods of Collecting Payments for a Claim Computing the Amount of Restoration HS-0169 Application for Assistance (English) (Instructions) HS-0169 Application for Assistance (Arabic) (Instructions) HS-0169 Application for Assistance (Somali) (Instructions) HS-0169sp Application for Assistance (Spanish) (Instructions)

(24-22)(page-15)Page 15#

Subject: SNAP Claims and Issuances

Policy 24.22 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 08/15/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 15 of 15 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition ADH Administrative Disqualiﬁcation Hearing A/R Applicant/Recipient Auth Rep Authorized Representative EBT Electronic Beneﬁt Transfer HH Household IPV Intentional Program Violation PIN Personal Identiﬁcation Number QC Quality Control TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual, April 2016, Chapters 40 and 42; Bulletin No. 45, FA-06-32; Bulletin No. 34, FA-08-252 Authority 7 C.F.R. §§ 273.16, 273.17, 273.18 Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-5-314 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-18-.04,.05, 1240-1-20-.01--.09 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 08/05/2019 08/15/2019 N/A New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 08/05/2019 08/15/2019 Current Approver

(24-23)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.23 SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings#

(24-23)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings Policy 24.23 Eﬀective: July 15, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall provide a fair hearing to any person or household aggrieved by any administrative action which aﬀects their eligibility, level of beneﬁt, or participation in the SNAP program in reference to a formal complaint. Scope This policy was developed to outline the guidelines for when an individual or a household submits a formal complaint or requests a fair hearing due to actions taken by TDHS. Policy Appeals and Fair Hearings 1. TDHS must provide a fair hearing to any individual who disagrees with any administrative decision, action, or proposed action aﬀecting an individual’s participation. 2. All applicants of or recipient of services shall be informed, in writing, at the time of application and prior to any adverse action: a. the right to a fair hearing; b. the method for requesting a hearing and that the case may be presented by the individual; and c. legal counsel or an authorized representative. 3. A request for a hearing is any clear expression, oral or in writing, by an applicant/recipient or authorized representative that they disagree with the actions, decisions or requirements imposed.

(24-23)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings Policy 24.23

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 Resolution prior to Fair Hearing 1. When an individual is dissatisﬁed with any administrative action/decision relating to SNAP beneﬁts, eﬀorts must be directed to resolve the issue promptly, if possible. (See also, SNAP Procedures for a Customer’s Complaint). 2. An individual’s right to request a fair hearing should not be interfered with and the individual should be reminded verbally of their right to request a fair hearing. 3. Any person who asks to appeal on behalf of someone will be asked to obtain the applicant’s/recipient’s written statement that they wish to designate them as their representative, unless that person is an attorney licensed to practice law in Tennessee, who has been asked by the applicant/recipient to represent them. Individuals may also question TDHS's interpretations of the law and the validity and applicability of the policies implemented under the law. 4. Group hearings may be conducted where the sole issue is one of State or Federal law, regulations, or policy. Time Limits for Appeals 1. An individual shall be allowed to request a fair hearing on any action by TDHS staﬀ, including loss of beneﬁts, within ninety (90) days of the date of such action as established by the notice to the household of such action. 2. The Division of Appeals and Hearings will make the decision upon receipt of the Appeal for Fair Hearing as to whether the request will be accepted or denied. Appeals will be accepted only if they are ﬁled within these time limits unless good cause can be shown as to why the appeal could not be ﬁled within the prescribed limits. The Commissioner or their designee will approve any extension of time under this section after the appellant shows a reason for good cause exists for not ﬁling within the prescribed time limits. The time limits shall be computed by excluding the ﬁrst (1st) day and including the last day, unless the last day is a weekend or legal holiday, then the next working day may be considered as ﬁling within the time limit. Good Cause for Filing a Late Appeal 1. Appeals may be considered after the ninety (90) calendar day time limit if the appellant can show good cause as to why the appeal could not be ﬁled within ninety (90) calendar days. In addition, beneﬁts can be continued if the appellant can show good cause for failing to ﬁle the appeal within ten (10) calendar days. 2. All decisions regarding good cause are made by the Commissioner’s Designee/Conciliation Attorney Unit. Continuation of Beneﬁts 1. When a SNAP household requests a hearing within ten (10) calendar days from the date of the advance written notice of intended action to reduce or terminate assistance prior to certiﬁcation ending, SNAP beneﬁts may be continued pending the hearing decision, unless the recipient waives continuation of beneﬁts.

(24-23)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings Policy 24.23 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 2. Good cause for delay will be considered on a case-by-case basis when a request for continued beneﬁts mailed by the individual is received by TDHS following the tenth (10th) day after the notice of adverse action is mailed. Continued or reinstated beneﬁts should not be reduced or terminated before the ﬁnal hearing decision unless: a. There is an additional cause for adverse action, and the individual does not request a subsequent hearing; b. The certiﬁcation period expires; c. The hearing oﬃcer makes a preliminary written decision at the hearing that the sole issue is a question of policy interpretation, and the individual claims that the Department has applied the policy improperly; d. A mass change aﬀecting the AG’s eligibility or basis for issuance occurs while the hearing decision is pending; or e. Review indicates the individual is eligible for a new certiﬁcation period and a new beneﬁt amount. Division of Appeals and Hearing Functions 1. All SNAP appeals received by the county oﬃce must be faxed on the same business day to the Division of Appeals and Hearings. The county oﬃce may continue to take action to resolve the issues in the appeal informally. If the appeal is resolved informally by the county oﬃce, a signed HS-2908 Withdrawal of Appeal for Fair Hearing form must be faxed to the Division of Appeals and Hearings. At that time, the appeal process will cease. Fax all Family Assistance Appeals to: Tennessee Department of Human Services Division of Appeals and Hearings P.O. Box 198996 Nashville, TN 37219-8996 Fax: 615-313-5013 or 1-866-355-6136 (Long Distance) 2. The One DHS Contact Center will accept appeal forms or ﬁle a verbal appeal on behalf of the SNAP participant. The One DHS Contact Center will document the request for an appeal in the Family Assistance eligibility and case management system and enter the request for an appeal into the Appeals Resolution Tracking System (ARTS) the same day as the appeal request is received. Supporting Documents SNAP Procedures for a Customer’s Complaint SNAP Process for an Appeal and Fair Hearing

(24-23)(page-4)Page 4#

Subject: SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings Policy 24.23

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 07/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Appeal A procedure for bringing grievances that cannot be resolved in the local oﬃce to the State Oﬃce for a hearing. Appellant An individual who is dissatisﬁed with an administrative action of the Department in regard to the furnishing or denial of assistance and who, as a result, is requesting a fair hearing before the State Oﬃce. Fair Hearing A proceeding before an impartial oﬃcial designated by the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services in which an appellant or his representative may present his case. The case may be presented with or without witnesses, to show why action or inaction by TDHS should be corrected. Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual 2017 Chapter 43 Authority 7 CFR § 273.15; 7 CFR § 271.6; 7 CFR § 272.6; Tenn. Rules & Regs. Ch. 1240-05-03 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 7/8/2025 07/09/2025 Division of Appeals and Hearing Functions Updated FASC References to One DHS Contact Center information 06/30/2021 07/15/2021 New Document New Document Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 06/30/2021 07/15/2021 Current Approver:

(24-24)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.24 Categorically Eligible SNAP Recipients#

(24-24)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4 Categorically Eligible SNAP Recipients Policy 24.24 Eﬀective: June 15, 2021 Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall review household circumstances to determine qualiﬁcations for categorical eligibility based on state and federal guidelines. Scope This policy was developed to outline the requirements for households to be classified as categorically eligible by providing information to determine who meets the categorically eligible criteria for SNAP. Policy Categorical Eligibility – Who is Eligible? 1. Households that consist entirely of either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients; 2. Families First recipients; 3. Or, a combination of both, are considered categorically eligible for SNAP. Individuals are still considered SSI or Families First recipients when they are eligible for Families First or SSI payments but are not receiving the payments due to being recouped, suspended or the FF grant is less than $10. If a Household is Categorically Eligible, What Does This Mean? Categorically eligible households are exempt from the SNAP resource limit and net and gross income limits. Once a household is determined categorically eligible, it is not necessary to verify the following: 1. Resources 2. Social Security Number 3. Sponsored Alien Information 4. Residency

(24-24)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: Categorically Eligible SNAP Recipients

Policy 24.24 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 All other SNAP veriﬁcation requirements must be met. Categorical Eligibility Does Not Apply to the Following Households: 1. where any member has been disqualiﬁed for an Intentional Program Violation; 2. who has a member that is receiving SSI beneﬁts for drug addiction or alcoholism, but the SSI payment is suspended for failure to attend scheduled treatments or to make progress; 3. where a household member is disqualiﬁed due to voluntary quit/work requirements; 4. any member of the household that is ineligible due to being a ﬂeeing felon, drug-related felony, or for having a conviction of certain crimes and not being in compliance with the sentence; 5. households whose case was closed due to lottery or gambling winnings are required to meet regular SNAP rules for eligibility once they reapply and cannot be considered CE status until approved for one (1) certiﬁcation period as a regular SNAP household (24.13 SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winnings) Exclusions from an Otherwise Categorically Eligible Household The following individuals cannot be included in an otherwise categorically eligible household: 1. ineligible aliens; 2. ineligible students; 3. institutionalized individuals in a nonexempt facility; 4. disqualiﬁed for any reason from receiving SNAP; Multiple Applications Pending Households may apply for SNAP and Families First at the same time, or they may have a Families First or SSI application pending when they apply for SNAP. Households would not be considered categorically eligible until the SSI or Families First application is approved. It is not necessary to wait for the Families First or SSI approvals before certifying the household. If the household is eligible under normal SNAP policy and procedures, they may be certiﬁed as a normal SNAP Household according to policy and procedures. SNAP Households Not Typically Eligible for Beneﬁts under normal SNAP Policy/Procedures When the household is not eligible for beneﬁts under normal SNAP policy or procedures but could be eligible as a categorically eligible household (once the Families First or SSI beneﬁt is approved), the caseworker should: 1. Delay the SNAP determination until the 30th day from the date the SNAP application was ﬁled to allow time for the Families First or SSI applications to be approved. At the point the household becomes categorically eligible, certify it according to the policy and procedure for categorically eligible households. Prorate beneﬁts as applicable. 2. If the household is not categorically eligible on the 30th day after the SNAP application was ﬁled, the application should be denied and the household should be notiﬁed to report when the SSI is approved (we will know when the Families First is approved).

(24-24)(page-3)Page 3#

Subject: Categorically Eligible SNAP Recipients

Policy 24.24 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 3. When the pending Families First or SSI applications are approved after the SNAP application has been denied but is still within 60 days, the caseworker should update the SNAP application with any changes that have occurred since the last interview. A new interview is not required. The household’s beneﬁts should then be pro-rated from the ﬁrst day the Families First or SSI beneﬁts are payable (usually the date of the FF or SSI application), or the date of the original SNAP application, whichever is later. When a Categorically Eligible Household’s FF or SSI beneﬁts are Terminated If a categorically eligible household’s Families First or SSI beneﬁts are terminated, the household’s continuing eligibility should be determined based on normal SNAP policy and procedures for non-categorically eligible households. Supporting Documents Procedures for Categorically Eligible Households 24.13 SNAP Lottery or Gambling Winnings

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Subject: Categorically Eligible SNAP Recipients

Policy 24.24 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 06/15/2021 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS The Tennessee Department of Human Services SSI Supplemental Security Income Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual July 2017 Chapter 3 Authority 7 CFR §273.2(j); Tenn. Rules & Regs. Ch. 1240-01-14-.15 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 06/01/2021 06/15/2021 New Policy New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 06/01/2021 06/15/2021 Current Approver

(24-25)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.25 SNAP Continued Responsibilities#

(24-25)(page-1)Page 1#

Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 13 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 SNAP Continued Responsibilities Policy 24.25 Eﬀective: February 15, 2023 Introduction Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall meet federal and state guidelines regarding the requirements for continuing participation for SNAP households after eligibility has been approved. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide staﬀ an understanding of the required actions by the state agency and participating SNAP households in order to provide a continuation of SNAP beneﬁts. Policy Establishing Certiﬁcation Periods 1. The period of eligibility for a SNAP household is its certiﬁcation period. When staﬀ complete the application process and determine the household is eligible, the longest certiﬁcation period shall be given based on the predictability of the household’s circumstances. Staﬀ shall also refer to Policy 24.02 SNAP Application Processing. a. All households must be given an appropriate certiﬁcation based on the household circumstances. b. Case notes should indicate the reason why the certiﬁcation period was given to the household. c. A partial month of beneﬁts is considered one of the months in the certiﬁcation period even if that month prorates to zero (0), if otherwise eligible. 2. At the expiration of each certiﬁcation period, entitlement to SNAP beneﬁts will end and beneﬁts shall not be continued without a new application and a determination of eligibility, even if the household has requested a fair hearing of an adverse action.

(24-25)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 13 3. When a household submits multiple applications, staﬀ shall refer to Multiple Application Processing for SNAP. Staﬀ Responsibilities 1. At each certiﬁcation, recertiﬁcation, and reported change, the worker shall inform the household of their reporting requirements, see the section below for Household’s Responsibilities. a. Change reporting (or Non-Simpliﬁed Reporting) households must report certain changes within ten (10) days of the date they become known. • The ten (10) day count will begin with the date the change becomes known to the household. b. Simpliﬁed Reporting households must report certain changes within the ﬁrst ten (10) days of the month following the month the change occurred. • The ten (10) day count for simpliﬁed reporting changes is the ﬁrst (1st) day of the month following the required change. c. All households must report if any member of the household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings within ten (10) days of receipt. • The ten (10) day count will begin with the date the winnings are received by the household. 2. When any change is reported by the household or is discovered staﬀ shall refer to the Reporting Requirements and Act on All Changes documents. 3. SNAP beneﬁts may not be increased based on a decrease in income from a Federal, State, or local welfare program resulting from the household’s intentional failure to comply with the other program’s requirements. Staﬀ shall refer to Penalty for SNAP due to Failure to Comply. 4. The United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Nutrition Services (USDA FNS) requires that states establish issuance and accountability systems which ensure that only certiﬁed eligible households receive beneﬁts; that Program beneﬁts are timely distributed in the correct amounts; and that beneﬁt issuance and reconciliation activities are properly conducted and accurately reported to FNS. 5. Assigned staﬀ shall complete the Potential SNAP Duplicate Issuance report and refer to Potential Duplicate SNAP Beneﬁts Report supporting document for instructions on how to complete the report. Household’s Responsibilities 1. Simpliﬁed Reporting households are households certiﬁed between four (4) to six (6) months whose sole income source is not from self-employment OR households that are eligible and certiﬁed for a twenty-four (24) months certiﬁcation. See 24-Month Certiﬁcation for eligibility criteria. a. Simpliﬁed reporting cases are only required to report the following changes prior to their recertiﬁcation:

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 13 i. if their income goes over the gross income limit for the household size at last certiﬁcation ii. if an ABAWD member’s hours go below an average of twenty (20) hours per week or an average of eighty (80) hours per month; or iii. if any member of the household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings b. Simpliﬁed reporting cases certiﬁed for twenty-four (24) months are required to complete a Mid Certiﬁcation form to continue participation. Staﬀ shall refer to 24-Month Certiﬁcation. c. If a change occurs during a household’s certiﬁcation period that causes them to no longer be a simpliﬁed reporting household, the reporting requirement will remain for the remainder of the certiﬁcation period. 2. Change reporting households are households that are certiﬁed up to six (6) months where the only earned income is annualized income from self-employment or households certiﬁed for three (3) months or less. a. Change reporting households are required to report the following changes within ten (10) days of the date the change becomes known to the household; i. Changes in the source or amount of gross monthly unearned income of more than $125, except changes in Families First ii. Changes in earned income when there is a change in the source, hourly rate or salary, or employment status iii. Changes in resource (amount of assets) that exceed the allowable limit iv. Acquiring a licensed vehicle that is not fully excludable v. Changes in household composition vi. Changes in residence vii. Changes in legally obligated child support being paid viii. When an employed ABAWD household member’s work hours fall below an average of twenty (20) hours per week or an average of eighty (80) hours per month ix. If any member of the household receives substantial lottery or gambling winnings b. If a change occurs during a household’s certiﬁcation period that changes the non- simpliﬁed reporting criteria, the household will be changed to simpliﬁed reporting requirements. i. The case shall be documented that the household is now simpliﬁed reporting within two (2) business days.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 13 ii. It shall be explained to the household their new reporting requirements and a Change Report Form hs-2302 shall be provided. Changes During the SNAP Certiﬁcation 1. When changes that aﬀect a household’s eligibility or level of beneﬁts occur within the certiﬁcation period, action may need to be taken to adjust the beneﬁts. 2. Although only certain changes are required to be reported, Tennessee is an Act on All Changes state and in an eﬀort to ensure accurate eligibility and issuance of SNAP beneﬁts, eligibility workers will act on all changes that become known to the department, both “recipient reported” and “non-recipient reported” within ten (10) days. a. The change will be processed regardless of whether it is a positive or negative action. b. The eligibility worker will only question information related to the change that has become known to the department. (Staﬀ can refer to guide What Should You Ask?) c. All actions and notices sent to the household will require documentation in case records within two (2) business days. 3. When returned mail is received, the county oﬃce shall enter the information in the case notes within two (2) business days. • Staﬀ shall refer to supporting document Mail Received at County Oﬃce for SNAP Households on how to process returned mail. 4. Households are encouraged to report changes using Change Report Form hs-2302, however, changes may be reported by a phone call, in person, by mail, or by any electronic transmission. a. Change Report Form hs-2302 and a postage-paid envelope is to be provided to all households in the following instances: i. upon approval for initial certiﬁcation ii. at each recertiﬁcation iii. any instance when the household uses the Change Report Form hs-2302 to report a change. b. Each Change Report Form hs-2302 with the change received will be date-stamped immediately. Also, the date the information is reported will be documented in the case notes as soon as time permits. c. The change will be considered as reported by the household on the date the report of the change is received by phone, in person, by mail, or by any electronic transmission.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 5 of 13 Failure to Report Required Changes 1. If staﬀ discover and verify the household failed to report a required change and as a result, received beneﬁts to which it was not entitled exceeding $200.00, the worker will ﬁle a claim as described in Policy 24.22 SNAP Claims and Issuances. 2. If a discovery is made and veriﬁed that aﬀects the current certiﬁcation, a notice will be sent to the household explaining the change in the case. 3. Individuals will not be disqualiﬁed from SNAP for failure to report a change unless the individual is disqualiﬁed in accordance with the disqualiﬁcation procedure speciﬁed described in Policy 24.22 SNAP Claims and Issuances. 4. If a household should lose beneﬁts because of failure to report changes timely or at all, the household is not entitled to restoration of lost beneﬁts. Mass Changes 1. Certain changes are initiated by the Department or the Federal Government which may aﬀect the entire caseload or portions of the caseload. These changes include annual adjustments to the income eligibility standards and various deductions, adjustments to Families First standards and payment levels, Social Security and SSI beneﬁt adjustments, and other changes in the eligibility criteria based on legislative or regulatory actions. 2. Federal SNAP program changes include federal adjustments to eligibility standards, allotments, and deductions. These adjustments shall go into eﬀect for all applicable households at a speciﬁc point in time. 3. State SNAP program adjustments to the utility standards shall be eﬀective for all issuance in the month speciﬁed by State Oﬃce. Although a notice of disposition is not required prior to these adjustments, appropriate notices are generated through the case management system to all aﬀected SNAP households 4. When the Department makes an overall adjustment to Families First standard payments, corresponding adjustments in the households SNAP beneﬁts shall be handled as a mass change. • If a household requests a fair hearing timely, beneﬁts shall be continued at the former level only if the issue being appealed is that SNAP eligibility or beneﬁts were improperly computed and not that beneﬁts are reduced because of the mass change. 5. Mass changes normally occur within the case management system for all applicable SNAP cases. There are instances in which cases may be listed on an exception report for review by staﬀ. Notice of Adverse Action 1. Prior to reducing or terminating a household’s SNAP beneﬁts within their certiﬁcation period, the household shall be provided timely and adequate advance notice before the adverse action is taken. a. An adverse action is:

(24-25)(page-6)Page 6#

Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 6 of 13 i. a reduction in SNAP allotment. ii. the termination of the household’s SNAP beneﬁts within the certiﬁcation period. iii. the reduction in the length of a certiﬁcation period. iv. removal of a household member from the assistance group. b. To be considered timely, the notice of adverse action must be mailed at least ten (10) days prior to the adverse action’s eﬀective date. c. To be considered adequate, the notice of adverse action must be easy to understand the actions, the reason for the action, the right to fair hearing, and a contact number. 2. When suﬃcient evidence has been provided or obtained to justify a change in beneﬁt level or termination of SNAP, the worker shall authorize the action to reduce or terminate beneﬁts, using the appropriate reason code(s) to ensure adequate notice is given. 3. When a certiﬁcation period expires, eligibility ceases. These situations are not terminations; therefore, provisions concerning adverse action do not apply, nor is the household eligible for continuation of beneﬁts, as described in Establishing Certiﬁcation Period section above. 4. If the adverse action notice period ends on a weekend or holiday, and a request for a fair hearing and continuation of beneﬁts within a certiﬁcation period is received the next working day after the weekend or holiday, the county oﬃce must consider the request to have been received timely. Staﬀ shall refer to Policy 24.23 SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings. 5. Households may have changes in circumstances during the 10-day adverse action period. However, unless a request for a hearing is made and beneﬁt continuance is granted, the beneﬁts will be reduced or terminated according to the notice. Therefore, if a household that receives a notice of adverse action wishes to continue to participate in the program, it may: (1) ﬁle an appeal and request continued beneﬁts; or (2) ﬁle a new application. 6. A notice of adverse action is not required in the following instances: a. When implementing mass changes. b. When the household moves from the state. c. When all household members have died. d. When restoration of lost beneﬁts has been completed. Restoration is complete when the household has ﬁnished receiving increased allotments to restore lost beneﬁts, and the household was previously notiﬁed in writing of when the increased allotments would terminate. e. When monthly allotment varies based on anticipated changes during the certiﬁcation period.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 13 f. When a household member is disqualiﬁed for Intentional Program Violation (IPV) or the beneﬁts of the remaining household members are reduced or terminated to reﬂect the disqualiﬁcation of a household member. g. When approving the household’s Families First application and it causes a reduction in the SNAP beneﬁts. h. When the household is certiﬁed on an expedited service basis, contingent on veriﬁcation. When veriﬁcation is postponed for expedited services, the household receives a notice of disposition stating that no further beneﬁts will be issued until the postponed veriﬁcation is provided. If the household fails to provide the veriﬁcation or provides veriﬁcations that change its beneﬁts, the notice of adverse action is not required. i. When a household that is repaying a claim is converted from cash repayment for the over-issuance to allotment reduction because they failed to comply with the repayment agreement. j. When residents of an approved drug or alcoholic treatment center or group living arrangement lose their eligibility when either the facility loses its certiﬁcation or has its status as an authorized representative suspended, due to FNS disqualifying it as a retailer. However, residents of group living arrangements applying on their own behalf are still eligible to participate. k. When a household voluntarily requests that their case be terminated. Recertiﬁcation 1. Every SNAP household will be issued a notice of expiration prior to the last month of the household’s certiﬁcation period. a. It will be considered that the household has reapplied timely if the application is received by the 15th of the last month of certiﬁcation, regardless of when the interview appointment is scheduled. b. The household must complete the interview on or after the date of application and provide all required veriﬁcation timely in order to receive uninterrupted beneﬁts (Staﬀ shall refer to Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations and the supporting document Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP). c. The household is responsible for rescheduling any missed interviews. d. The household has the right to request an application and have the department accept the application as long as it is signed and contains a legible name and address. e. Any household containing only SSI recipients or applicants is entitled to apply for SNAP certiﬁcation at the SSA oﬃce if they choose to do so. The joint processing requirements will continue to apply to applications for recertiﬁcation. 2. Staﬀ shall act timely on all reapplications submitted timely to provide uninterrupted beneﬁts to eligible households.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 8 of 13 a. Complete the application process to approve or deny timely applications prior to the end of the household’s current certiﬁcation period. • The application cannot be denied for pending veriﬁcations until the customer has had a full ten (10) days to provide. b. Inform the applicant that the household must report all information related to its SNAP eligibility during the interview. • Changes reported during the review process are eﬀective the ﬁrst month of the new certiﬁcation. c. Provide eligible households with an opportunity to receive SNAP beneﬁts by their normal issuance date the month after receipt of a timely recertiﬁcation application. 3. Beneﬁts will not be continued to households beyond the end of the certiﬁcation period unless the household reapplies and is recertiﬁed. 4. SNAP beneﬁts for households that have not provided a recertiﬁcation application will auto closed. Staﬀ may also take closure actions after the customer misses their ﬁrst scheduled appointment and if the household has not rescheduled the appointment. 5. A household will lose its right to uninterrupted beneﬁts when it: a. fails to provide a timely application for certiﬁcation without good cause or b. fails to complete the ﬁrst scheduled interview on or after the date of application or c. fails to provide necessary veriﬁcation within ten (10) days of the date requested or by the ﬁfteenth (15th) of the last month of certiﬁcation, whichever is later. 6. If staﬀ fail to provide eligible households the opportunity to receive timely SNAP beneﬁts when the household took all the steps to complete their recertiﬁcation, staﬀ shall take prompt action to complete the recertiﬁcation and provide the household the full month’s allotment they are eligible for the month after recertiﬁcation. 7. Staﬀ shall refer to Procedure for SNAP Recertiﬁcation on how to take action timely. When a SNAP Household Moves 1. It is important that an accurate address for an active SNAP household is on ﬁle. 2. Certain actions must be taken as soon as a change of address becomes known. 3. If a customer submits a change in address do not delay changing the mailing address in the customer’s case pending veriﬁcation of the address unless a complete mailing address is not provided. a. Send the household the appropriate notice asking for shelter and utility arrangements and cost veriﬁcation so that eligibility for appropriate deductions can be evaluated. b. The notice must clearly state what information needs to be provided.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 9 of 13 c. If veriﬁcation of shelter costs for the new address is provided timely, enter the amount in the budget and determine the next month’s beneﬁts with the deduction. Authorize the case, using the appropriate reason code. d. If veriﬁcation of shelter costs is not provided, remove any existing shelter deduction from the budget and determine the next month’s beneﬁts without a shelter deduction. 4. If the customer does not submit a change of address and the county learns of the change of address through returned mail, staﬀ shall refer to below section Mail Received at County Oﬃce for SNAP Households on how to process the change. 5. SNAP households may transfer from county to county within the state and remain eligible for beneﬁts without interruption. 6. When the household reports that they are about to move to a diﬀerent county unless they have a valid address in the new county, do not transfer the case. 7. Tell the household to contact the department when they have a valid address in the new county; transfer the case when the address is provided. When a SNAP Household Moves out of State 1. When the department learns that a household has moved out of the state of Tennessee, take prompt action to close the case. • If the household reports they moved out of state and it is reported in the month of recertiﬁcation or when a Mid-Cert form is due, the case can either be closed with the appropriate reason code or the case can be allowed to auto-close. 2. If the household contacts the department about SNAP beneﬁts that remain in their EBT account in Tennessee, explain to the household that they may use the Tennessee Beneﬁt Security Card in any state. When a member of the SNAP Household Moves Out 1. When the head of the household moves out. a. If the head of the household is moving with some but not all household members, remove the members that are not moving with the head of the household. The individuals that are no longer part of the household may ﬁle an application at any time. b. When there are multiple SNAP households in one case and the head of the case moves to a new county, the remaining households are not required to ﬁle a new application. i. It will be necessary to go through application registration to establish a new case. ii. When establishing a new case without a new application, be sure the certiﬁcation period is unchanged.

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 10 of 13 iii. Document in the new case’s running record the circumstances and the reason that a new application was not required. c. The Eligibility Counselor will update the address in the case management system and document the circumstances in the running record and transfer the case to the new county if the move was to a new county. d. The Eligibility Counselor will send a request for shelter cost changes and allow the household to provide the requested information within ten (10) days. 2. When other household members move out that are not the head of the household. a. If a member of the household moves out, the Eligibility Counselor updating the change will delete the member or members moving out. b. The moving members may ﬁle an application at any time. When a Change Results in Increased Beneﬁts 1. There are several changes in circumstances that entitle a household to increased beneﬁts. 2. Although the household may be entitled to increased beneﬁts, do not issue such increases until the change is veriﬁed. 3. If requested veriﬁcation of a change in expense/deduction is not provided, remove the previous amount, and process the case without the deduction. Change that May Require a Supplement 1. A supplement does not go back to the day of the reported change or when veriﬁcation was provided. Use a supplementary allotment to increase beneﬁts when the change cannot be automatically eﬀective the following month due to the system’s cutoﬀ. 2. A supplementary allotment will be authorized only if the following criteria are met: a. The change has been veriﬁed; and b. It is too late in the month (after computer cut-oﬀ) to adjust the beneﬁts received in the following month. 3. If the household is eligible for a supplement, it would be issued for the month after the change is reported and veriﬁed timely. 4. Staﬀ shall refer to Supplements and Restorations for SNAP Households for further procedures. When a Change Results in Reduction of Beneﬁts When the household’s beneﬁt level decreases or the household becomes ineligible as a result of the change, determine the action to be taken and authorize the change so the appropriate notice can be issued through the case management system. Changes Aﬀecting SNAP Households Receiving Families First 1. Anytime a household’s SNAP beneﬁts are altered as a result of changes in Families First beneﬁts or whenever the SNAP certiﬁcation period is shortened to reﬂect changes in the

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 11 of 13 household’s circumstances, the case management system generates the appropriate notice. 2. If the Families First beneﬁts are terminated but the household is still eligible for SNAP beneﬁts, members of the household shall be advised of SNAP work registration requirements, if applicable, as their Families First work requirement no longer applies. 3. Staﬀ shall refer to supporting document Changes Aﬀecting SNAP Households Receiving Families First Payment. Replacement Beneﬁts Replacement beneﬁts shall be provided to a household when the household reports that food purchased with SNAP beneﬁts was destroyed in a household misfortune. a. Replacement beneﬁts shall only be provided if a household is determined eligible and also reports a loss timely unless a timely reporting waiver is approved by FNS. The report will be considered timely if is made within ten (10) days of the date food is destroyed in a household misfortune. b. Staﬀ shall refer to Food Loss Manual Issuances for SNAP Due to Diﬀerent Types of Misfortunes or Disasters for procedures with verifying the misfortune and the process for issuing the replacement. Computer Matches 1. Staﬀ shall not take any adverse action to terminate, deny, suspend, or reduce beneﬁts for a household based on information received from data matches unless the information is veriﬁed upon receipt (staﬀ shall refer to Reporting Requirements and Act on All Changes and Discrepancies with Veriﬁed Data Matches). 2. For data matches that are not veriﬁed upon receipt, staﬀ shall verify with the household any match information received before: a. Approving an application, or b. Taking action on the information reported in the data match for an active case. 3. The following data matches are not veriﬁed upon receipt but may require speciﬁc action during the certiﬁcation period: a. National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) (Staﬀ shall refer to National Directory of New Hires for SNAP for procedures) b. Prisoner Veriﬁcation System Match (Staﬀ shall refer to Incarcerated and Deceased Reports for SNAP for procedures) c. Deceased Individual Match (Staﬀ shall refer to Incarcerated and Deceased Reports for SNAP for procedures) Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) Match (Staﬀ shall refer to the supporting document Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) Match for procedures)

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Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 13 Supporting Documents Policy 24.02 SNAP Application Processing Multiple Application Processing for SNAP Reporting Requirements and Act on All Changes Penalty for SNAP due to Failure to Comply Potential Duplicate SNAP Beneﬁts by Caseload Owner 24 Month Certiﬁcation Change Report Form hs-2302 What Should You Ask? Mail Received at County Oﬃce for SNAP Households Policy 24.22 SNAP Claims and Issuances Policy 24.23 SNAP Appeals and Fair Hearings Policy 24.17 SNAP Mandatory Veriﬁcations Veriﬁcation and Documentation for SNAP Procedure for SNAP Recertiﬁcation Supplements and Restorations for SNAP Households Changes Aﬀecting SNAP Households Receiving Families First Payment Food Loss Manual Issuances for SNAP Due to Diﬀerent Types of Misfortunes or Disasters Discrepancies with Veriﬁed Data Matches National Directory of New Hires for SNAP Incarcerated and Deceased Reports for SNAP Request for Veriﬁcations and Request for Contact Notices to SNAP Households Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC) Match Family Assistance Standards Desk Guide

(24-25)(page-13)Page 13#

Subject: SNAP Continued Responsibilities

Policy 24.25 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Eﬀective Date: 02/15/2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 13 of 13 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Change Reporting Households Households certiﬁed less than four (4) months or households whose only income is from self- employment. Good Cause A situation where the applicant has a valid reason for not providing an application for their SNAP renewal. Simpliﬁed Reporting Households Households certiﬁed between four (4) to six (6) months whose sole income source is not from self- employment OR households that are eligible and certiﬁed for a twenty-four (24) months certiﬁcation. Substantial lottery or gambling winnings A cash prize, before taxes or withholdings, that matches the SNAP resource limit for elderly or disabled households listed in the Substantial Lottery and Gambling Winnings Guidelines document. The limit is adjusted annually. Supersedes SNAP Policy 24.25 SNAP Continued Responsibilities, eﬀ. date 01/01/2022 Authority 7 C.F.R.§ 272.12-.14; 7 C.F.R. § 273.10 - 14; 7 C.F.R. § 274.1; 7 C.F.R. § 274.6; Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-202; Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-5-304 et. seq.; Tenn. Rules & Regs. Ch. § 1240-1-19. Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 02/14/2023 02/15/2023 Policy & Deﬁnition/Acronyms Section Sections referencing certiﬁcation timeframes: Change 12 month cert to 6 month cert and remove SR form references. Deﬁnitions/Acronyms: added Simpliﬁed Reporting Household & Change Reporting Household 11/10/2021 01/01/2022 New Policy N/A Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 02/14/2023 02/15/2023 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 11/10/2021 01/01/2022 Current Approver:

(24-27)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.27 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Students in Higher Education#

(24-27)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 1 of 7

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Students in Higher Education Policy 24.27 Eﬀective: May 1, 2019

Introduction All Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) staﬀ must be able to determine SNAP eligibility for individuals enrolled in higher education. Scope To provide procedures and guidelines for staff to determine an individual’s student status and how it affects eligibility as a member of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) household. Policy A. Students of Higher Education 1. A student of higher education is deﬁned as an individual who meets the following criteria: a. at least age eighteen (18), but under age ﬁfty (50); and b. physically and mentally ﬁt; and c. enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. 2. Refer to Section H deﬁning enrollment. B. Institution of Higher Education An institution of higher education includes a permanent dwelling or fixed mailing address is not required. 1. a business, technical, trade or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalency certiﬁcate for enrollment in the curriculum, or 2. if the individual is enrolled in a regular curriculum at a college or university that oﬀers degree programs regardless of whether a high school diploma is required.

(24-27)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 2 of 7 C. Student Eligibility Criteria 1. To be eligible to participate in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) a student of higher education as stated in Section A must meet at least one of the following criteria: a. Be employed an average of twenty (20) hours per week or an average of eighty (80) hours per month. i. The student must be paid for such employment. ii. If self-employed, the student must have weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by twenty (20) hours. iii. Students paid or subsidized by Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for class hours are not considered employed during that time. Such class attendance does not meet the average of twenty (20) hours a week or average of eighty (80) hours per month work requirement. b. Be participating in a state or federally ﬁnanced work study program funded in full or in part by Title IV, Part C, of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as amended) to qualify under this provision: i. The student must actually be working at a job for which he/she receives earnings or tuition credit. ii. The student must be approved for work-study at the time of application for SNAP, the work-study must be approved for the school term, and the student must anticipate actually working during that time. iii. The exemption shall begin with the month in which the school term begins or the month work-study is approved, whichever is later. Once begun, the exemption shall continue until the end of the month in which the school term ends, or it becomes known that the student has refused an assignment. iv. The exemption shall not continue between terms when there is a break of a full month or longer unless the student is participating in work-study during the break. c. Be in an institution of higher education through a program under WIOA. d. Be enrolled in institutions of higher education as a result of participation in Employment Career Services Programs. e. Be assigned to institutions of higher education by Employment and Training (E&T). f. Be assigned to a program under section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974. g. Be enrolled in an employer sponsored on-the-job program. This only applies during the training period. h. Be receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash grant.

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Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 3 of 7 i. Be responsible for the care of a dependent household (HH) member under the age of six (6). i. The student does not have to provide care for the child personally at all times. ii. The child may be in day care while the student is in class iii. In a two-parent HH, one parent will need to be identiﬁed as being the one who has primary responsibility for the care of the child or children. j. Be responsible for the care of a dependent HH member who has reached the age of six (6) but is under age twelve (12) when the State agency has determined that adequate child care is not available to enable the student to attend class and comply with the work requirements. i. The student may attend school full time; or attends school less than full time and the local oﬃce determines that adequate child care is not available for the client to attend school and satisfy the twenty (20) hour work week requirement. Document the reason for the lack of adequate child care in CLRC. ii. In a two-parent HH, one parent will need to be identiﬁed as being the one who has primary responsibility for the care of the child or children. k. Be a single parent enrolled in an institution of higher education on a full-time basis (as determined by the institution) and be responsible for the care of a dependent child under age twelve (12). i. This provision applies in those situations where only one natural, adoptive, or stepparent (regardless of marital status) is in the same SNAP HH as the child. ii. If no natural, adoptive, or stepparent is in the same SNAP HH as the child, another full-time student in the same SNAP HH as the child may qualify for eligible student status under this provision if he or she has parental control over the child and is not living with him or her. iii. For examples on what constitutes as adequate childcare, staﬀ shall refer to Adequate Child Care D. Ineligible Students 1. An ineligible student is an individual, who is enrolled in an institution of higher education, but fails to meet the student eligibility criteria outlines in Section C. 2. The following individuals are not considered as students: a. individuals age seventeen (17) or under, or individuals age ﬁfty (50) or over; b. physically or mentally disabled individuals; c. persons attending high school; or d. persons not attending school at least half-time; 3. A student who does not meet any of the student eligibility criteria is ineligible to participate in SNAP.

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Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 4 of 7 4. Consider ineligible students as non-household (HH) members, regardless of their relationship to other HH members. E. Veriﬁcation For procedures in establishing student status and determining how to treat the income, deductions, and resources of ineligible students staﬀ shall refer to Establishing Student Status and the Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductions for Ineligible Students. F. Treatment of Educational Income 1. All educational income is excluded, with the exception of assistance which is designated for normal living expenses for eligible students. 2. The excluded educational income may be from, but is not limited to: a. Title IV of the Higher Education Act b. Bureau of Indian Aﬀairs (BIA) c. Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act d. Non-Title IV educational income e. Nonfederal deferred payment loans that are speciﬁcally earmarked by the lender for education expenses. f. Federal grants g. Private sources including scholarships earmarked by the grantor as a reimbursement or an allowance for education expenses. h. All college work-study education income. G. Treatment of Resources for Eligible Students 1. An eligible student's resources are considered in the same manner as for any other eligible HH member. 2. Educational expenses will not be deducted from resources. 3. Exclude educational funds as resources unless they are retained after the period of intended use. 4. Refer to How to Treat the Resources of an Eligible Student for examples of how to treat the resources of an eligible student. H. Enrollment and Changes in Student Status 1. A student's enrollment status begins on the ﬁrst day of the school term of the institution of higher education. Such enrollment shall be deemed to continue through normal periods of class attendance, vacation, and recess. The enrollment status ends when the student either: a. graduates; b. is suspended;

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Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 5 of 7 c. is expelled; d. drops out; or e. does not intend to register for the next normal school term, not counting summer school. 2. Students who meet the student eligibility criteria during the regular school year remain exempt from work registration during the summer months as long as they continue to meet student eligibility criteria during the summer months. 3. Ineligible students may become eligible at any time, including during school vacations, if they meet one of the eligibility criteria. 4. Students who lose their enrollment status, or who do not intend to register for the next normal school session (excluding summer school), lose their student status and are treated as any other HH member. 5. Staﬀ shall refer to Changes in Student Status Examples on the diﬀerent type of changes in student status scenarios. 6. SNAP recipients can use HS-2302 Change Report to report changes in student status. Refer to Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities of the SNAP Policy Manual. I. Acceptable Forms of Veriﬁcation 1. Examples of acceptable sources to verify school enrollment are: a. school records b. statement from Financial Aid Oﬃce c. class schedules; or d. receipt for tuition and mandatory fees. 2. Examples of acceptable sources to verify disability to make a determination for student eligibility: a. Bendex, SDX, or award letter to prove receipt of temporary or permanent disability beneﬁts from either a governmental or private source; b. a statement from a physician or licensed/certiﬁed psychologist; or c. statement of approval for services through the Department of Rehabilitation Services. 3. Educational Income and Financial Aid The applicant /recipient’s statement may be accepted as veriﬁcation of the amount of unearned educational income including work-study income Supporting Documents HS-2302e Change Report (English) (instructions) HS-2302sp Change Report (Spanish) (instructions) HS-2302a Change Report (Arabic) (instructions)

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Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 6 of 7 HS-2302s Change Report (Somali) (instructions) Adequate Child Care Establishing Student Status and the Treatment of Income, Resources, and Deductions for Ineligible Students How to Treat the Resources of an Eligible Student Changes in Student Status Examples SNAP Policy Manual: Chapter 41 Continued Responsibilities Family Assistance Treatment of Income Policy Desk Guide SNAP Student Desk Guide Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition Adequate Child Care Adequate childcare exists only when another responsible person lives in the home with the student and is able, and available, to care for the child. For this purpose, a responsible person is someone who is mentally and physically capable of providing childcare for the household. Assistance Group If the student must obtain childcare outside the home, adequate childcare does not exist. BIA Bureau of Indian Aﬀairs Deferred Student Loan Those members of the ﬁling unit who are eligible to receive beneﬁts. Enrollment A loan for educational expenses for which repayment is deferred until education is completed. E&T Employment and Training HH Household Institution of Higher Education A student is deemed to be enrolled in an institution of higher education when he/she has been admitted as a student starting on the ﬁrst day of the school term. Institution of Post-Secondary Education Any public or private educational institution which normally: 1. requires a high school diploma or equivalency certiﬁcate for enrollment; or 2. admits persons who are beyond the seventeen (17) year old compulsory school attendance age, provided the institution is legally authorized or recognized by the state to provide an educational program beyond secondary education; or 3. provides a program of training to prepare students for gainful employment. Mandatory Fees Those fees may include the rental or purchase of any equipment, materials, and supplies related to the pursuit of the course of study involved. The exclusion of mandatory fees is no longer restricted to fees charged to all students or charged to all students within a certain curriculum. Physical or Mental Fitness Physical or mental ﬁtness means that an individual is ﬁt for employment and does not suﬀer from any disability which would prevent his/her being gainfully employed.

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Subject: SNAP Students in Higher Education

Policy 24.27

Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Eﬀective Date: 05/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22

Page 7 of 7 Term Deﬁnition Responsible person Someone who is mentally and physically capable of providing adequate child care for the household as deﬁned herein. SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Student A student is a person who meets all of the following criteria: • is at least age eighteen (18), but under age ﬁfty (50); • is physically and mentally ﬁt; and • is enrolled at least half time in an institution of higher education. Although other individuals may be enrolled in school, they are not considered students if they do not meet all of the above criteria. TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families WIOA Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Supersedes SNAP Policy Manual July 2017 Chapter 2 and Chapter 4; Bulletin 28, FA-10-16 Authority 7 CFR §273.5 Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-1-2-.02(3)(f); 1240-1-2-.02-(3); 1240-1-2-.02-(3)(B)-1; 1240-1-2-.02-(3); 1240-1-2-.02-(3); 1240-1-2-.02-(3)-4; 1240-1-4-.15(C); 1240-1-4-.15(D); 1240-1-4-.05-.15 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 03/29/2019 05/01/2019 N/A New Document

Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Danielle Barnes Commissioner 03/29/2019 05/01/2019

Current Approver

(24-30)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.30 SNAP Workload Management#

(24-30)(page-1)Page 1#

Date of Last Review: 02/26/2025 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2025 Date of Next Review: 02/26/2028 RDA: SW22

Page 1 of 3

SNAP Workload Management Policy 24.30 Eﬀective: March 1, 2025

Introduction The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) personnel shall follow instructional steps for processing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications in accordance with State and Federal law. Scope The purpose of this policy is to define the thresholds for activating the Workload Management Plan to address application processing backlogs. Policy The Director of Operations in collaboration with Field Management Directors must monitor all tasks associated with application processing on a weekly basis to ensure the timely processing of SNAP applications. Field Management Directors will immediately implement corrective active measures when the pending actions detailed below exceed the deﬁned thresholds for more than ﬁve (5) consecutive business days. A. Applications Pending Registration 1. All applications ﬁled must be reviewed, linked to any existing case on ﬁle (if appropriate), and registered prior to scheduling an interview. 2. Managers are required to monitor the volume of applictions pending registration throughout the day. 3. When applications pending registration exceed one hundred (100) for more than ﬁve (5) business days, Field Management Directors will immediately implement corrective action measures to include increasing the task assignment per worker. B. Applications Pending Disposition 1. All applicants must be interviewed and notiﬁed of a decision within the timeliness standards deﬁned by state and federal law. 2. Managers are required to monitor tasks related to pending applications daily.

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Subject: SNAP Workload Management

Policy 24.30

Date of Last Review: 02/26/2025 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2025 Date of Next Review: 02/26/2028 RDA: SW22

Page 2 of 3 3. When applications pending disposition exceed thirty-two thousand (32,000) for more than ﬁve (5) business days, Field Management Directors will immediately implement corrective action measures to include increasing the task assignment per worker, assigning applications to supervisors for processing, and requesting overtime. 4. The Director of Operations will schedule twice daily meetings to discuss progress and address barriers to reducing the pending applications. These meetings will continue until the pending application count falls below aforementioned threshold. 5. The Assistant Commissioner will notify the Commissioner and Executive Leadership Team and provide a daily status update. C. Scheduled Interviews 1. The application scheduling batch is designed to schedule eligibility interviews on the fourth (4th) business day from the date of application. 2. The Director of Operations and Field Business Solutions team will review the batch scheduling report daily to ensure all expedited applications are scheduled on the fourth (4th) business day and non-expedited applications are scheduled no later than the seventh (7th) business day. 3. If expedited appointments are scheduled beyond the fourth (4th) business day for more than two (2) consecutive business days, the Director of Operations will notify ﬁeld management staﬀ to add more appointment slots per worker. Supporting Documents None

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Subject: SNAP Workload Management

Policy 24.30

Date of Last Review: 02/26/2025 Eﬀective Date: 03/01/2025 Date of Next Review: 02/26/2028 RDA: SW22

Page 3 of 3 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services Supersedes None Authority 7 C.F.R. § 273.2 Application All TDHS Employees and Contractors Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 02/27/2025 03/01/2025 New Policy New Policy

Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 02/27/2025 03/01/2025

Current Approver

(24-31)Tennessee SNAP Policy Manual: 24.31 Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative#

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Date of Last Review: 05/26/2026 Eﬀective Date: 06/01/2026 Date of Next Review: 05/26/2029 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 4

Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative Policy 24.31 Eﬀective: June 1, 2026

Introduction The goal of the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) 2026 Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative (TSNI) is to supplement nutritional assistance in counties with lack of access to Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or other supplemental summer feeding program options. Children who reside in these counties and who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Families First, the State’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program for nutritional assistance often struggle to obtain adequate food resources after schools close. To address this challenge, the TDHS will issue a one-time cash beneﬁt of $120 per qualifying child in SNAP and Families First households across thirteen (13) counties with limited access to SFSP feeding sites for immediate access to funds for nutritional purchases. The thirteen (13) counties eligible for this one-time issuance were selected following analysis of Summer 2025 SFSP and Tennessee Department of Education Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program data available from USDA. TDHS determined through this analysis that there were ﬁve (5) or fewer open SFSP/SSO sites available in these counties. This beneﬁt is scheduled for distribution via Electronic Beneﬁts Transfer (EBT) in June 2026. To minimize barriers to access nutritional support, no application is required for children in SNAP and Families First households to participate. TSNI beneﬁts will be automatically credited to existing EBT accounts on the designated issuance date. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide an overview of the TSNI program including beneﬁt amount, eligibility criteria, and issuance, notiﬁcation, and appeal procedures. Policy Beneﬁt Amount Each eligible child will receive a one-time beneﬁt of $120.00.

(24-31)(page-2)Page 2#

Subject: Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative

Policy 24.31

Date of Last Review: 05/26/2026 Eﬀective Date: 06/01/2026 Date of Next Review: 05/26/2029 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 Eligibility Qualifying families will receive a one-time payment of $120.00 for each eligible school-aged child. 1. The child must be included in an open and active SNAP and/or Families First case as of May 31, 2026. Cases where the certiﬁcation period ends on May 31, 2026 are eligible. 2. The child must be included in a SNAP and/or Families First case which is designated in the Eligibility Beneﬁts Management System (EBMS) as residing in Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Hancock, Humphreys, Jackson, Lewis, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, and Smith Counties as of May 31, 2026. 3. The child must be at least ﬁve (5) years old but not older than eighteen (18) years old as of May 1, 2026. Children whose birthdates fall between May 2, 2007 and May 1, 2021 are eligible. Children must meet all eligibility criteria to receive a TSNI beneﬁt. No application is required to receive a TSNI beneﬁt, nor will TDHS accept applications to facilitate issuance of beneﬁts. Each eligible child will automatically receive the beneﬁt via their household’s existing EBT card. Issuance A one-time beneﬁt will be automatically issued to each eligible child’s household’s existing EBT account in June 2026. The household will receive the beneﬁt in a lump sum payment for all eligible children in the household. FIS, the State’s current EBT vendor, has conﬁrmed the State’s proposed issuance timeline. Issuance will be documented in case notes for all households receiving a TSNI beneﬁt. Notiﬁcation to Customers TDHS will generate and mail notices of the issuance to each household with at least one eligible child. Each notice will include information about eligibility criteria and the timeframe to ﬁle an appeal. Beneﬁciaries will also receive automated text message notiﬁcations regarding the issuance. Program Violations TDHS will make reasonable eﬀorts to detect over-issuances and improper payments. These eﬀorts will include utilizing established methods and channels to receive tips, complaints, and referrals regarding TSNI activity. TDHS will coordinate with relevant state agencies and local authorities for case data collection and analysis, conduct follow up inquiries as appropriate, and pursue claims as appropriate. Appeals Appeals concerning TSNI beneﬁts must be ﬁled within thirty (30) days of beneﬁt issuance to be considered timely. Appeals will only be accepted from clients who allege meeting the eligibility requirements below:

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Subject: Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative

Policy 24.31

Date of Last Review: 05/26/2026 Eﬀective Date: 06/01/2026 Date of Next Review: 05/26/2029 RDA: SW22 Page 3 of 4 • Households with an open and active SNAP and/or Families First case as of May 31, 2026, that are designated in EBMS as residing in one of the eligible counties; and • Households with at least one child age 5-18, as of May 1, 2026, included in the open and active SNAP and/or Families First case. Appeals will be completed through desk review of written material only. A DHS Administrative Judge will review the written material submitted by both parties and will issue a Desk Review Order. Desk Review Orders are the ﬁnal administrative determination and petitions to the Department regarding such decisions will not be accepted. A person who is aggrieved by the Desk Review Order may petition the court for judicial review in Chancery Court of the county of residence or in Davidson County within sixty (60) days of the entry date of the Final Order. See Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-317 and Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-322. Supporting Documents Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-317 Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-5-322

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Subject: Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative

Policy 24.31

Date of Last Review: 05/26/2026 Eﬀective Date: 06/01/2026 Date of Next Review: 05/26/2029 RDA: SW22 Page 4 of 4 Deﬁnitions/Acronyms Term Deﬁnition EBMS Eligibility Beneﬁts Management System EBT Electronic Beneﬁts Transfer SFSP Summer Food Service Program SNAP Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SSO Seamless Summer Option TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families TDHS Tennessee Department of Human Services TSNI Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative Supersedes Policy 24.31 Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative, eﬀ. date 06/01/2025 Authority Chapter 530 of the Public Acts of 2025, Section 58, Item 6 Application All Family Assistance employees Revision History Date Version Location of Change Description/Reason for Change 05/26/2026 06/01/2026 Policy Section This policy revision reduced the number of counties participating; updated the birthdates for eligible children. 04/28/2025 06/01/2025 New Policy New Policy Approval History Approved By Approver Title Approved Date Eﬀective Date Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 05/26/2026 06/01/2026 Clarence H. Carter Commissioner 04/28/2025 06/01/2025 Current Approver: