Policy Memo (120.83 KB)
| DATE: | March 5, 2009 |
| SUBJECT: | SNAP - Monitoring State Implementation of Certification and Benefit Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) |
| TO: | Regional Directors Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program All Regions |
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) go into effect on April 1, 2009. In order to support the successful and timely implementation of the ARRA provisions, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will monitor state plans for implementation and progress toward meeting the April 1, 2009 effective date. In particular, FNS will track state agencies' plans to notify clients, implement the benefit increases, and implement changes affecting the eligibility of Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) for benefits.
To track these efforts, we are asking the regional offices to survey state agencies and report to the Program Development Division by March 20, 2009 on implementation plans for these certification provisions and actions completed. At a minimum, we would like the following information:
Client Notices: What types of notices are planned/were used? How, where, and when were these notices provided? Are further notices planned? Do the notices appear to be sufficient?
Benefit Increases: When will the necessary programming changes be made and tested to implement the April 1 benefit increase?
ABAWDs: Has the state implemented a statewide waiver prior to April 1, 2009? Has the state agency developed and implemented procedures to ensure that a disqualified ABAWD in an existing case will receive benefits for April 2009, if applicable? Does the state plan to continue to offer a program under Section 6(o)(2)(B) or (C)?
The ROs should continue to monitor state agencies' progress in each of the areas identified above and confirm that implementation of these provision occurs successfully on April l, 2009, and report to the SNAP Program Development Division by April 8, 2009.
Arthur T. Foley
Director
Program Development Division