Desk Aids
Critical Ages
Age 6 |
• Child’s parent, check for another work registration exemption; if none, the parent must work register • Child’s parent is a student, check for another exemption; if none, is an ineligible student |
Age 12 |
• Child’s parent claiming inadequate child care, check for another student exemption; if none, is an ineligible student; • Child’s single parent, check for another student exemption; if none, is an ineligible student; |
Age 18 or older |
• Check for another student exemption; if none, is an ineligible student; • Check for another work exemption; if none, must work register. • Count earned income • Check for an ABAWD exemption; if none, is an ABAWD with time limits |
Age 22 or older |
• Potentially could now be a separate household from parents |
Age 50 or older |
• Eligible student |
Age 55 or older |
• ABAWD exempt |
Age 60 or older |
• 24-month approval if no earned income in the HH • Net income test only • $4,500 asset maximum when gross income is greater than 200% • Entitled to excess medical expense deduction • Receives unlimited excess shelter deduction, unless ineligible |
Age 70 ½ or older |
• Must draw from any pension or retirement fund(s) |
Last Update
Source # 15
Effective Date: 10/01/2024
Determining the Utility Allowance
Use the following chart as a guide to determine the appropriate utility allowance for expedited service.
Household Utility Expense |
Utility Allowance |
Lives in public housing and pays excess utilities that include heating or cooling costs. |
SUA |
Lives with another household and pays or shares rent that includes an amount for utilities, or helps with the utility costs, that include heating or cooling costs. |
SUA |
Owns or is buying or renting their home and is billed for utilities including heating or cooling costs. |
SUA |
Receives a Direct Cash Benefit payment of at least $20.01 in the current month or previous 12 months. |
SUA |
Receives a SUA$ payment of at least $20.01 in the current month or previous 12 months. |
SUA |
Receives energy assistance through HUD, FmHA, or another program but incurs heating and cooling expenses that exceed the amount of the assistance. |
SUA |
Lives in public housing and pays for at least 2 utilities including excess costs that do not include heating or cooling costs. |
LUA |
Lives with another household and pays or shares rent that includes an amount for utilities, or helps with at least 2 utility costs, that do not include heating or cooling costs. |
LUA |
Receives energy assistance through HUD, FmHA or another program that covers all heating and cooling expenses but the household incurs at least 2 utility expenses that do not include heating/cooling. |
LUA |
Lives in public housing and only pays phone costs. |
TUA |
Lives with another household and pays or shares rent that includes an amount for the phone, or helps only with the phone bill. |
TUA |
Rents their residence and all utilities except the phone are included in the rent. The household has a phone. |
TUA |
Lives with another household and pays or shares rent, and all utilities are included. |
None |
Last Update
Source #
Effective Date:
More Information on Treatment of Gambling Winnings
Substantial lottery and gambling winnings is defined as a cash prize won in a single game, before taxes or other amounts are withheld, which is equal to or greater than the SNAP asset limit for elderly or disabled SNAP households with income above 200% of the FPL ($4,500 in FFY2025).
Receipt of lottery / gambling winnings that equal or exceed the threshold is considered a mandatory reporting requirement and households must report this change by the 10th day of the month following the month the change occurred (example: EDG member receives $5,000 from a single lotto ticket on 12/15/22. They must report receipt of these winnings to DSS by 1/10/23).
Staff should inform all households at initial grant and renewal of these mandatory reporting requirements during the SNAP interview. SNAP households who report receipt of lottery/gambling winnings that meet or exceed this threshold will be disqualified from SNAP.
Once reported, the lottery/gambling winnings must be considered a countable asset. Households are no longer considered “categorically eligible” and are subject to the 130% FPL income limit and asset limit. If considered ineligible due to these income/asset limits, refer to IBP 298 for instructions on how to deny the EDG.
Last Update
Source #: 15
Effective Date: 10/01/2024
Self-Employment Income Tax Forms
Most Common IRS Forms |
What the Form is Used For |
Form 1040 US Individual Income Tax Return |
Summarizes all income reported to IRS. Do not use this form to determine income. It is only a summary of the income reported to IRS. |
Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partner Income |
Identifies income and expenses from a partnership. Schedule K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, identifies the individual’s share from the partnership. |
Form 1099-R, Distributions |
Identifies payments for services, annuities, pensions, etc. |
Form 1120-S, US Income Tax Return for an S Corporation |
Identifies income and expenses from an S corporation. Schedule K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, identifies the individual’s share from the corporation. |
Form 4562, Depreciation and Amortization |
Identifies deductions for depreciation and amortization, for vehicles and certain property. |
Form 4835, Farm Rental Income and Expenses |
Identifies income and expenses for farm rentals. |
Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home |
Identifies office-in-the-home expenses. Line 7 of the 8829 identifies the business portion of the expense. |
Schedule C, Profit or Loss |
Identifies income and expenses for non-farm businesses. |
Schedule C-EZ, Net Profit from Business |
Simplified version of Schedule C
|
Schedule D, Capital Gains and Losses |
Identifies capital gain income or losses. |
Schedule E, Supplemental Income and Loss |
Identifies income and expenses for rental business, partnerships, corporations, estates, trusts, and farm rental. |
Schedule F, Profit or Loss from Farming |
Identifies income and expenses for farm businesses. |
Last Update
Source #
Effective Date:
Suggested Verification Sources
Suggested verification sources are not all inclusive. Accept any reasonable verification.
Element |
Suggested Sources |
Age |
|
Assets |
|
Child Support Expense |
|
Child Support Legal Obligation |
|
Citizenship |
|
Date of Death |
|
Dependent Care |
|
Earned Income |
|
Household/EDG/CG Composition and Living Arrangement |
|
Identity |
|
Jointly Owned Assets |
|
Medical Expenses |
o Statement from a qualified health professional
|
Non-Citizen Status |
|
Pregnancy |
|
Relationship |
|
Residency in State |
|
School Enrollment |
|
Self-Employment Expenses |
|
Self-Employment Income |
|
Shelter Expenses |
|
SSN |
|
SSN Application |
|
Student Status |
|
Student (Higher Education) Expenses |
|
Student Educational Income |
|
Unearned Income |
|
Utility Expenses |
|
Last Update
Source #: 15
Effective Date: 10/01/2024
Verification Requirements by Element and Activity
This chart summarizes when verification is required and the action taken when verification is not provided.
Note: Most interim changes that result in decreased benefits are not processed. For exceptions, see Action on Interim Changes.
Element |
Expedited Application |
Non- Expedited Application |
Renewal |
Periodic Report and Interim Change |
ABAWD Countable Months (CT and out-of- state) |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify ABAWD CT countable months and 36-month time period, including out-of-state countable months and time periods if it appears the individual had countable months out-of-state. Use the individual’s statement if verification cannot be obtained from the other state. |
Verify ABAWD CT countable months and 36-month time period, including out-of-state countable months and time periods if it appears the individual had countable months out-of-state. Use the individual’s statement if verification cannot be obtained from the other state. |
Periodic Report - Verify new adult EDG members ABAWD CT countable months and 36-month time period, including out-of-state countable months and time periods if it appears the individual had countable months out-of-state. Use the individual’s statement if verification cannot be obtained. Interim Change – Verify new adult EDG members ABAWD CT countable months and 36-month time period, including out-of-state countable months and time periods if it appears the individual had countable months out-of-state. Use the individual’s statement if verification cannot be obtained. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Assets |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify countable assets only if the EDG is not categorically eligible. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify countable assets only if the EDG is not categorically eligible and if:
Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report - Verify countable assets only if the EDG is not categorically eligible and if:
Deny the case if not verified by the due date. Interim Change – Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Child Support - Legally Obligated |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow Non-Expedited Application. |
Verify legal obligation, amount paid and who it is paid to. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Verify legal obligation, amount paid and who it is paid to. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report - Verify
Increases Benefits:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: Act on the reported change. Verify at renewal if verification was not provided with the PRF. Interim Change - Increases Benefits: Verify reported changes. Continue with the previously verified amount if not verified. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Date of Death |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify. Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report and Verify with the EDG by sending a match notice. Remove the individual if the EDG:
Interim Change – Verify with the EDG by sending a match notice. Remove the individual if the EDG:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Dependent Care Expenses |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify, if questionable. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Verify, if questionable. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Increases Benefits: Act on the change. Verify, if questionable. If questionable:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: Act on the reported change. Verify at renewal, if questionable, and verification was not provided with the PRF. Interim Change - Increases Benefits: Act on the change. Verify, if questionable. If questionable:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at top of chart. |
Disability |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify the disability determination. Do not code the individual as disabled if not verified by the due date. |
Verify only if it is a new report of disability. Do not code the individual as disabled if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report and Interim Change – Verify only if a new report of disability. Do not code the individual as disabled if not verified by the due date. |
Earned Income |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if:
Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Increases Benefits: Verify. Act on the change if verification is provided. If verification is not provided:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: Act on the reported change. Verify at renewal if verification was not provided with the PRF. Interim Change – Increases Benefits: Act on the change if verification is not required or required verification is provided. Verification is required if:
Continue with the previously verified amount if not verified by the requested due date. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at top of chart. |
Household Composition Relationships and Living Arrangements |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify if questionable. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if questionable. Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report and Interim Change – Verify if questionable. Verify new household members. End benefits if the requested verification is not provided by the due date. |
Identity |
Verification required. |
Verify. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
N/A |
N/A |
IPV Status (adult EDG members) |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s) for out-of-state IPV’s not known to CT; then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify for adult EDG members. Do not disqualify the individual until verification is received. |
Verify for new adult EDG members. Do not disqualify the individual until verification is received. |
Periodic Report - Verify for new adult EDG members. Do not disqualify the individual until verification is received. Interim Change – Verify for new adult EDG members. Do not disqualify the individual until verification is received. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Medical Expenses |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify if more than $35. Do not allow the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Verify:
|
Periodic Report and Interim Change – Verify only if benefits will increase and the expense is:
Note: Do not act on expense changes:
|
Non-citizen Status |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Treat the individual as an ineligible non-citizen if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if a change in non-citizen status is reported, or the status of a new non-citizen EDG member being added. Treat the individual as an ineligible non-citizen if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Verify if a change in non-citizen status is reported, or the status of a new non-citizen EDG member being added. Treat the individual as an ineligible non-citizen if not verified by the due date. Interim Change – Verify if a change in non-citizen status is reported, or the status of a new non-citizen EDG member being added. Treat the individual as an ineligible non-citizen if not verified by the due date. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Residency |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if questionable. Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report and Interim Change – Verify if questionable. Note: Get the new shelter amounts from the EDG. See Shelter and Utility Expenses, below. |
Shelter and Utility Expenses |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify if questionable. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if questionable. Process without the expense if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Increases Benefits: Act on the change if not questionable. Verify questionable information if verification was not provided with the PRF. If questionable:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: Act on the reported change. Verify at renewal, if questionable, and verification was not provided with the PRF. Interim Change - Increases Benefits: Act on the change if not questionable. Verify, if questionable. If questionable:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at top of chart. |
Social Security Number |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify through enumeration validation. The EDG must verify differences or information not validated. Deny the individual or application (for single individual EDGs) if not provided or applied for by the due date. |
Verify SSNs not previously provided, and for new members. Deny the individual or renewal (for single individual EDGs) if not provided or applied for by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Verify SSNs not previously provided, and for new members. Deny the individual or case (for single individual EDGs) if not provided or applied for by the due date. Interim Change – Verify SSNs not previously provided, and for new members. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Student Status |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Treat the individual as an ineligible student if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if a change in student status is reported. Treat the individual as an ineligible student if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Verify if a change in student status is reported. Treat the individual as an ineligible student if not verified by the due date. Interim Change – Verify if a change in student status is reported. Treat the individual as an ineligible student if not verified by the due date. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at the top of chart. |
Unearned Income |
Postpone verification* for expedited month(s); then follow non-expedited processing rules. |
Verify. Deny the application if not verified by the due date. |
Verify if:
Deny the renewal if not verified by the due date. |
Periodic Report – Increases benefits: Verify. If verification is not provided with the PRF:
Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: Act on the reported change. Verify at renewal if verification was not provided with the PRF. Interim Change – Increases Benefits: Act on the change if verification is not required or required verification is provided. Verification is required if:
Continue with the previously verified amount if not verified by the requested due date. Decreases Benefits/Closes Case: See Note at top of chart. |
Last Update
Source #: 3
Effective Date: 5/15/19