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State of Wisconsin Release 13-01 March 14, 2013 |
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State of Wisconsin Release 13-01 March 14, 2013 |
4.2.1.1 Categorical Eligibility Introduction
4.2.1.4 Transitional FoodShare Benefits
7 CFR 273.2(j)(2)
Most FoodShare groups are considered categorically eligible if their gross income is at or below 200% FPL and the language describing "JobNet" Services, a partially TANF funded service that all food unit members are authorized to receive, is issued to the group on a CARES generated notice of decision. The following text will appear on FS approval and change notices.
"Job Center of Wisconsin” (formerly known as JobNet) is available to you. Job Center of Wisconsin is the single largest source of job openings in Wisconsin, you can access Job Center of Wisconsin via the internet at http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/ or on touch screen monitors at your local job center. To locate a Job Center of Wisconsin nearest you call 1-888-258-9966."
The FS group is not categorically eligible if any member of its food unit loses FS eligibility because s/he:
Food Units that contain a member who is sanctioned for an IPV or Drug Felony continue to be eligible to receive TANF JobNet services so assets are excluded and not deemed. The sanctioned food unit member's income continues to be deemed. The household is no longer considered categorically eligible so it must be tested using the regular SNAP program gross and net income limits. See 8.1.1 for those income limits.
If the household's gross income goes over 200% of FPL, the case will close. A negative notice will be sent with reason code 013: Income reported exceeds the program eligibility standard.
Do not test a categorically eligible FS group against the FS asset, gross income and net income limits. Calculate the group's net income to determine its allotment amount. Continue to verify residency and sponsored alien information because JobNet does not collect this information.
Categorically eligible FS groups with zero benefit allotment amounts will be denied. The denied or closed FS group can file a new application and complete an intake interview if they wish to be reconsidered for FS eligibility.
CARES will deny or close the FS case automatically when the FS group's adjusted income is greater than the allotment amount. CARES will issue a closure notice that will include reason code 557: "Your net income exceeds the level to receive FoodShare benefits."
If the group is required to re-apply for FS after being closed, the group must be assessed for priority service, have a new filing date set, and complete an intake interview. If the group provides verification within the month following the month of case closure, which resolves ineligibility, FS reopens without the group needing to reapply for FS. Benefits are prorated from the date the HH took the required action.
Food units with zero FS benefits in their initial benefit month and a FS allotment greater than 0 in the second month will be denied in the first month and opened in the second month. If the benefit calculation is zero for the first two months, the case will be denied. The 12- month FS certification period will begin the month of application even though the first month may be denied because the allotment amount is zero.
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Example 1: Barry applied for FS in August after he lost his job. In the FS benefit determination for August and September, Barry received zero for August (due to excess income) and $98 in September. His certification period starts in August. |
If the FS benefit is reduced to zero for the month between the benefit determination month and the month TFS begins, the case will remain open. See 5.1.1 Transitional FoodShare Benefits (TFS).
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Example 2: Donna got a job in July and her last W-2 check was issued in August. Her TFS benefit starts in September. Her income from her new job caused her allotment to be reduced to zero for August. The case remains open during the month of August and her TFS benefits start in September. |
Households that include an elderly, blind or disabled member with gross income over 200% of the FPL must be tested for FS using the regular SNAP rules. Under the regular SNAP rules, these households have no gross income limit, but must have net income that does not exceed 100% FPL and countable assets that do not exceed $3.250.
Case process
If the household passes both the asset and the net income tests, the income must be adjusted in the CARES system for the FS calculation to allow the household to pass the 200 % gross test and issue the correct benefit. Use the F-16033 to determine the adjusted income amount. Suppress the CARES generated notices and send a manual positive notice along with a copy of the worksheet. See Ops Memo 10-51 for CWW entries.
This page last updated in Release Number: 11-04
Release Date: 10/07/11
Effective Date: 10/01/11