10 CCR 2506-1-4.607 - MASS CHANGES

There are certain changes that occur which are not caused by the household, and which affect a mass portion of the SNAP caseload simultaneously. Such adjustments go into effect for all households at a specific point in time, and the local office will have full prior knowledge of the change. Such changes are generally initiated because of a change in state or federal regulations. When such changes occur, the local office shall be responsible for making the appropriate adjustments in the household's eligibility or allotment as directed by the State Department and noticing the client as outlined below:

A. Federal adjustments to eligibility standards, allotments, and deductions; state adjustments to the Standard Utility Allowance; and any federal reduction, cancellation, or suspension of SNAP benefits.

These mass changes shall not require Advance Notice of Adverse Action to affected households; however, households shall be notified of such changes through the news media; posters in certification or issuance offices, or other locations frequented by participating households; or general notices mailed to participating households. Adjustments to federal standards and state adjustments to utility standards shall be implemented prospectively.

B. Mass changes in PA grants, such as state-only OAP and AND; and Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA), increases in federal Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), SSI benefits (Title XVI), and amendments to the Social Security Act (Title II).

These mass changes shall require a Notice of Adverse Action when SNAP benefits are decreased or terminated. Such Notice for these mass changes shall be provided to the household as much before the household's scheduled issuance date as reasonably possible, although the Notice need not be given any earlier than the time required for advance Notice of Adverse Action, per Section 4.608 . Mass changes shall be processed prospectively for all households.

1. At a minimum, affected households shall be informed of:

a. The general nature of the change;

b. Examples of the change's effect on household's allotments;

c. The month in which the change will take effect;

d. The household's right to a fair hearing;

e. The household's right to receive a continuation of benefits if the following criteria are met:

1. The household has not specifically waived its right to a continuation of benefits;

2. The household requests a fair and the request for a hearing is based upon improper computation of SNAP eligibility or benefits, or upon misapplication or misinterpretation of state rules, or federal law or regulation.

f. The household's liability for any over-issued benefits if the hearing decision is adverse to the household g. General information on whom to contact for additional information.

2. Processing Mass Changes in PA

PA grant cost-of-living increases and Social Security Act/SSI cost-of-living increases are treated as mass changes in SNAP. Mass changes shall be processed prospectively for all households. SNAP benefits shall be recalculated, and the change shall be effective in the same month as the change in the PA grant. If the local office has at least thirty (30) calendar days' advance knowledge of the amount of the PA adjustment, the SNAP benefits shall be recalculated, and the change shall be effective in the same month as the change in the PA grant. In cases where the local office does not have thirty (30) calendar days' advance notice, the SNAP change shall be made effective no later than the month following the month in which the PA grant was changed.

Notes

10 CCR 2506-1-4.607

37 CR 15, August 10, 2014, effective 9/1/2014 37 CR 21, November 10,2014, effective 12/1/2014 38 CR 23, December 10, 2015, effective 1/1/2016 39 CR 01, January 10, 2016, effective 2/1/2016 39 CR 05, March 10, 2016, effective 4/1/2016 39 CR 07, April 10, 2016, effective 5/1/2016 39 CR 15, August 10, 2016, effective 9/1/2016 39 CR 17, September 10, 2016, effective 10/1/2016 39 CR 19, October 10, 2016, effective 11/1/2016 39 CR 23, December 10, 2016, effective 1/1/2017 40 CR 11, June 10, 2017, effective 7/1/2017 40 CR 17, September 10, 2017, effective 10/1/2017 41 CR 15, August 10, 2018, effective 9/1/2018 40 CR 23, December 10, 2017, effective 12/30/2018 42 CR 01, January 10, 2019, effective 2/1/2019 42 CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective 3/15/2019 42 CR 17, September 10, 2019, effective 10/1/2019 42 CR 18, October 10, 2019, effective 10/1/2019 42 CR 23, December 10, 2019, effective 12/30/2019 43 CR 01, January 10, 2020, effective 1/30/2020 43 CR 05, March 10, 2020, effective 2/7/2020 43 CR 07, April 10, 2020, effective 4/30/2020 43 CR 21, November 10, 2020, effective 11/30/2020 44 CR 21, November 10, 2021, effective 11/30/2021 45 CR 05, March 10, 2022, effective 3/30/2022 45 CR 19, October 10, 2022, effective 10/1/2022 45 CR 19, October 10, 2022, effective 11/1/2022 45 CR 21, November 10, 2022, effective 11/30/2022