It has come to our attention that some state agencies are not in compliance with the requirement to issue a household's initial month of benefits within 30 days of the date of application. A survey of a number of states indicates that many state agencies handle initial issuances differently for those households that are determined ineligible for benefits in the month of application (e.g., the household is over income) but eligible for benefits in the subsequent month.
Due to the impact on SNAP benefits resulting from drastically fluctuating energy prices, FNS is extending the one-time blanket SUA waiver for an additional 3 months to certain states that would otherwise be ineligible for the waiver in FY 2011.
This memorandum provides a second opportunity for state agencies to opt for a blanket waiver of the regulations at S 273.9 (d)(6)(iii)(B) which require state agencies to update SUAs annually.
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. SNAP will exclude these payments from income and resources when determining eligibility and allotments, and for all other purposes.
It has come to FNS's attention that, due to unusual shifts in utility costs, SNAP benefits to needy families may decrease when states make annual SUA adjustments this year - even if the circumstances of those households remain constant.
For over thirty years, SNAP has deducted the cost of telephones in determining a household's eligibility and benefit amounts, either by deducting actual telephone bills or standard telephone allowances.
It has come to Food and Nutrition Service's attention that although states have incorporated the 13.6 percent increase to SNAP maximum allotments into their systems as a mass change effective April 1, 2009 there are some states where not every household will automatically receive the increase as part of their April allotment due to the limitations of certain state systems.
Attached is the stimulus allocation chart showing the allocation amount; this chart may be shared with your states.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes a 13.6 percent increase in maximum Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, which equates to a $24 increase for a one–person household.
Attached are the revised maximum SNAP allotment adjustments under the legislation by household size for the 48 states and DC, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and the Virgin Islands.