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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WORK REQUIREMENT

10/25 VOLUME V, PART XV, PAGE 4

C. REGAINING ELIGIBILITY

Nonexempt individuals denied eligibility after being eligible for three months of Y1 initial benefits, or those who would have been denied if an application had been filed, can regain eligibility. These individuals may regain eligibility only under specific conditions for the balance of the 36-month period. Individuals who regain eligibility by being exempted from the requirement will remain eligible as long as the exemption exists. Individuals, who regain eligibility through work activities, as listed below, are eligible for a maximum of three months of regained benefits (Y2) if they are no longer working or involved in a work activity.

1. Eligibility Dependent on Changes in Circumstances

SNAP eligibility may be reestablished for an individual who loses eligibility because of the work requirement if the individual becomes exempt from the work requirement as listed in Chapter B. For participating households, an individual may regain eligibility the month following the month the change occurs. Reapplying households may regain eligibility on the date of application or a later date if the individual’s status has changed.

2. Eligibility Dependent on Work Activities

Nonexempt individuals denied after being eligible for the initial three-month period of Y1 benefits, or any subsequent period of unemployment, may regain eligibility only if the individual:

a. works 80 hours or more during a 30-calendar day period; or

b. complies with requirements of work programs identified in Part XV.A for 80 hours or more during a 30-calendar day period.

The BPS must document the case to show that the required work effort met the 80-hour/30- day requirement. The documentation must include the number of hours, place, and period of employment. Households may not use any work activities performed before the three- month eligibility period for Y1 or Y2 benefits have expired to regain eligibility.

Nonexempt individuals who have received their three initial months of benefits (Y1) can receive SNAP benefits for up to three consecutive months (Y2) once the 80-hour, 30-day requirement has been satisfied. Once the evaluation period for regained benefits begins, the period must continue even if the individual is ineligible for SNAP benefits during a portion of the period. Benefits for the second three-month period may be provided only if the qualifying work (a-b above) has terminated or is reduced below the qualifying standards of Chapter A. Once the BPS establishes eligibility for Y2 benefits, the certification period must end.

If the qualifying work continues after the initial 80 hours, eligibility may continue under the normal work requirement rules. Entitlement to the Y2 benefits is postponed until a later time during which the household member is no longer working or is no longer exempt from the Work Requirement.

TRANSMITTAL #36