Failure to Comply with Means-Tested Program Requirements
7 CFR § 273.11(j)(1)-(9)
Do not increase SNAP benefits when the EDG’s TFA, SAGA, or SSUP benefits decrease or end due to a penalty for:
- intentionally failing to comply with a program requirement, or
- intentional program violation or fraud in that program.
See Budgeting.
Note: Do not end SNAP benefits when the EDG’s TFA, SAGA, or SSUP program ends due to the EDG’s failure to comply with a requirement of the program.
Exceptions
7 CFR § 273.11(j)(1)-(9)
Do not apply this policy when:
- A child is not eligible because of a family cap
- Information regarding the means-tested program penalty cannot be obtained. Record the actions taken to try to obtain the information.
- The EDG/individual fails to complete a procedural requirement
Examples:
- Completing a PRF
- Providing required verification
- The EDG/individual fails to complete an action they are unable to perform
- The EDG/individual fails to comply with a requirement at application for the means-tested program
- The EDG/individual fails to reapply or complete the application process at renewal
- The EDG/individual reaches a time-limit
- The EDG/individual was not receiving SNAP at the time of the means-tested program disqualification/penalty
- The EDG/individual disqualification/penalty was applied at renewal of the means-tested program and there was a break in participation in the means-tested program.
Budgeting
7 CFR § 273.11(j)(3)-(4)
Reduce the SNAP benefits by 20% when a member is sanctioned for a means-tested program non-compliance.
Penalty Time Period
7 CFR § 273.11(j)(2) and (5)
Budget the penalty until the:
- individual complies with the means-tested program requirements,
- individual leaves the household,
- individual is ineligible for the means-tested program for a reason not related to the penalty, or
- the means-tested program ends.
Review the case annually for disqualifications lasting longer than 12 months to determine if the disqualification still applies.
Acting on Changes
7 CFR § 273.11(j)(8)
Continue to act on changes for SNAP not related to the means-tested program penalty.
Example: The EDG reports and verifies they now pay dependent care for their one-year-old child. Add the dependent care and budget as a deduction. Continue to apply the 20% SNAP reduction.
Example: The EDG’s earned income decreases and the TFA benefit increases because of the decrease in earned income. Budget the:
- new amount of earned income,
- new amount of TFA benefits, and
- the 20% SNAP reduction.
Last Update
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Effective Date: