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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CERTIFICATION PERIODS/RECERTIFICATION

10/24 VOLUME V, PART IV, PAGE 9

If the BPS determines that the household is not eligible for benefits because of changed circumstances, the BPS must send an adverse action notice (Notice of Action or Advance Notice of Proposed Action) to close the case. If the BPS is unable to determine the household's eligibility because of suspected changes in the household's circumstances, the BPS must send the household the Request for Contact form to request information from the household. The household will have ten days to respond to requests for contact and submission of information.

The BPS must send an adverse action notice to terminate benefits if the household does not respond timely or completely to the Request for Contact form. If the household responds timely and completely and the response causes the household to be eligible for a lesser SNAP benefit amount, the BPS must send an adverse action notice to reduce the benefits. See Part XIV.A for other information on handling changes.

2. Lengthening Certification Periods

At its option, the BPS may lengthen a household's certification period to align the SNAP certification period with the review period established for the Medicaid or TANF Programs. The original period and the extended period together may not exceed the 24- or 12-month limits as addressed in Part IV.A.2. The BPS must send the household a Notice of Action to advise of the revised certification period.

3. Adjusting Certification Periods for Transitional Benefits

In most instances, when a household’s TANF grant terminates, the BPS must switch the household’s SNAP eligibility to the Transitional Benefits component. A household may receive Transitional Benefits for a maximum of five months. The BPS must shorten the certification period so that the original certification period will expire at the end of five months if more than five months remain in the original period at the time of the conversion. If there are fewer than five months left in the original certification period at the time of the conversion to Transitional Benefits, the BPS must lengthen the certification period to allow for a five-month period. The BPS must use the Notice of Action to notify the household of the reassigned certification period and the amount of the benefits at the time of the conversion to Transitional Benefits. See Part XII.H.

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