COMBINED MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES ATTACHMENT REVISED SECTIONS ISSUED 01/2018

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1 COMBINED MANUAL DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES ATTACHMENT REVISED SECTIONS ISSUED 01/2018 The EFFECTIVE DATE of the changes is the same as the issuance date unless stated otherwise (Who Must Sign Applications) in general provisions in the 3rd paragraph and in GA changes page 9 of the CAF to page 8. It also adds a new 4th paragraph in general provisions that electronic signatures on the CAF are legally valid (Unscheduled Reporting of Changes - SNAP) in SNAP adds a new 1st paragraph that clients may report unscheduled changes in person, by telephone, or by mail (Sources of Verification - Documents) in general provisions in the 1st paragraph adds to see 0010 (Verification) for electronic verification (Mandatory Verifications - SNAP) in SNAP in the 1st paragraph in the 6th bullet adds a cross-reference to (Refusing or Terminating Employment) (Systematic Alien Verification (SAVE)) under sub-bullet Do NOT use SAVE adds a new last bullet for when a unit transitions from one cash program to another without a break in eligibility, unless a change of status is reported (Transportation Expense) increases the transportation rate to 54.5 cents (Earned Income Disregards) in MSA updates the Student Earned Income Disregard to correspond with 01/18 COLA changes. It also in GRH deletes provisions and adds aged, blind or disabled adults follow MSA (MSA Assistance Standards) in MSA updates the MSA Assistance Standards to correspond with 01/18 COLA changes. It also updates MSA throughout (Personal Needs Allowance) in MSA, GA, GRH updates the personal needs allowance to $ (Provisions for Replacing Benefits) in MFIP, MSA, GA, GRH under sub-heading NON-EBT ISSUANCE clarifies language and adds a vendor or alternative payee requesting replacement warrant(s) must file an Affidavit of Failure to Receive Warrant (for Vendors/Payees) (DHS-1609A) (Refusing or Terminating Employment) in SNAP at the end of the 5th paragraph adds a cross reference to (Mandatory Verifications SNAP).

2 COMBINED MANUAL UPDATES ISSUED 01/2018 DESCRIPTION OF CHANGES ATTACHMENT Page (Supplemental Security Income Program) updates SSI benefits to correspond with 01/18 COLA changes.

3 WHO MUST SIGN APPLICATIONS Any member of an applicant household or his/her authorized representative MAY sign the application. ApplyMN allows 1 person to sign the application electronically by typing his/her name in the signature field provided on the application. The electronic signature is a legally valid signature. Accept the electronic signature as entered into ApplyMN, if the name and spelling entered represents one of the allowable applicant signees in the household. After you determine which applicants are members of a unit, there are certain people who MUST sign the application. When a Combined Application Form (CAF) is submitted, the signatures are required on page 8. When an ApplyMN application is submitted, obtain the additional signatures at the interview or send the applicant page 8. See the program provisions below for more specific information. Electronic signatures on the CAF are legally valid. If multiple units appear on the same application, signature requirements apply to each separate unit. MFIP, DWP: The following people must sign the application: All adult members of the unit or their authorized representative acting on their behalf. The spouse of an assistance unit member, if the spouse lives with the applicant. The parents and stepparents of a minor child, if they live with the applicant. All minor caregivers. SNAP: One adult member of each unit or his/her authorized representative must sign the application. MSA: The following people must sign the application: The applicant or authorized representative acting on the applicant's behalf. The applicant's spouse, if the spouse lives with the applicant. The parents of a minor blind child, if they live with the applicant. GA: The following people must sign the application: The applicant or their authorized representative acting on the applicant's behalf. All adult members of the unit or their authorized representative acting on their behalf. The spouse of a unit member if the spouse lives with the applicant. In addition, county workers must sign and date page number 1 and page 8 of the CAF.

4 WHO MUST SIGN APPLICATIONS GRH: The following people must sign the application: The applicant or their authorized representative acting on the applicant's behalf. The parents of a minor blind child, if they live with the applicant.

5 UNSCHEDULED REPORTING OF CHANGES - SNAP MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: See (Unscheduled Reporting of Changes - Cash). SNAP: Clients may report unscheduled changes in person, by telephone, or by mail. Applicant units must report within 10 calendar days of the date of the notice of eligibility any changes which occurred between the time of the interview and the notice. Uncle Harry units that report changes monthly do not have to report changes in any other way, see (Monthly Reporting Uncle Harry FS). Units who are subject to Six-Month Reporting must report the following changes by the 10th of the month following the month of the change when: The unit s gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) for the unit s size. Use the FPG for unit s size at the time of the most recent application or recertification. OR An Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) has a change in work or job activities which cause his/her hours to fall below 20 hours per week averaged monthly. Units who do not report monthly or every 6 months are change reporters. These units must report the following changes by the 10th of the month following the month of the change: NOTE: Uncle Harry Food Support units who do not report monthly, must also report the following changes. The changes must be reported within 10 days of the date the change becomes known to the unit. A change of more than $100 per month in gross earned income. A change of more than $50 in the amount of unearned income, EXCEPT changes relating to public assistance (PA) or General Assistance (GA) in which GA and SNAP cases are jointly processed. A change in the source of income, including starting or stopping a job, if the change in employment is accompanied by a change in income. A change in unit composition. A change in residence. A change in shelter costs due to a residency change. A change in legal obligation to pay child support. Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) must report a change in work or job activities that cause his/her hours to fall below 20 hours per week averaged monthly. Units need not report mass changes in federal benefits such as COLA increases in RSDI, SSI, VA, or Black Lung benefits. Clients may report other changes in circumstances that might increase their benefits. For example, an able-bodied adult subject to the 3 months in 36-month limit of eligibility may receive additional months' benefits if he or she meets certain requirements. See (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) for more information. Tell clients about this option. Counties must act promptly on all changes reported to determine if the change affects the unit s eligibility or allotment. See

6 UNSCHEDULED REPORTING OF CHANGES - SNAP (Implementing Changes - Program Provisions), (10 Day Notice). Counties must act on all reported changes which result in an increase of benefits no later than 10 days from the date the change was reported. See (Agency Responsibilities for Client Reporting). Counties must act on all changes that result in a decrease or ineligibility as a result of the change. A 10-day notice of adverse action must be issued unless adequate notice or exemptions from the adverse action notice are appropriate. See (Timing of Notices).

7 SOURCES OF VERIFICATION - DOCUMENTS Use documents, when available, to verify a client's statement. This includes documents from public agencies, documents the client has, or any written confirmation of a client's statements from a source outside the unit. If you need a specific document and the client does not have money to get it, your agency must pay for the cost. For electronic verification, see 0010 (Verification). Place the original or a copy of the document in the case file if possible. Return original copies of documents, such as, birth certificates and marriage licenses, to the client. Keep original copies of DHS forms or other statements the client or someone else completes in the case file. When photocopying savings bonds or other negotiable items, you must alter the size of the items by reducing or enlarging. It is illegal to photocopy savings bonds without altering the size. If it is not possible to get an original or a copy of the document, describe the document in the case notes. Include: The nature or title of the document. The source. The date the document was completed or signed. Identifying numbers or codes. The content. Other pertinent information about the document. NOTE: If an applicant provides a birth certificate issued by Puerto Rico as a verification, contact the Local Agency Support Policy Center through PolicyQuest. MFIP, DWP: Written records or documents are required to verify the familial relationship of a minor child to the child s parental or non-parental caregiver. Verification must establish the relationship of the minor child to the parent and, if necessary, the parent to the nonparental caregiver. Verification is not limited to birth certificates Consecutively numbered I-94 cards do not prove relationship of a caregiver to a child. Accept a signed statement when written records establishing relationship do not exist in the former country, or written records exist but attempts to obtain them have not been successful. Contact the Policy Center with questions about whether an INS form other than the I-94 can establish relationship of a caregiver to a child. The agency can use a signed personal statement as verification of ineligibility based on the income and/or assets an applicant reports on the Combined Application Form. Inform the applicant of the reason they are ineligible. SNAP: Follow general provisions. Allow a verbal statement made during the interview as verification of ineligibility based on the income an applicant reports on the Combined Application Form. MSA, GA, GRH: Follow general provisions. The agency can use a signed personal statement as verification of ineligibility based on the income and/or assets an applicant reports on the Combined Application Form. Inform the applicant the reason they are ineligible.

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9 MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP See (Mandatory Verifications) for mandatory verifications that apply to all programs. MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: See (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance). SNAP: Verify the following: Identity of the applicant and the authorized representative if the authorized representative is applying for the applicant. Identity may be verified through a document, or if a document is not available a collateral contact can be used. In addition it is allowable to use SOLQ-I as verification of identity. Social Security numbers of all people applying for assistance. See (Verifying Social Security Numbers). Residency in Minnesota, unless verification cannot be obtained because the people are homeless, migrant farmworkers, or newly arrived in Minnesota. A verbal client statement indicating residency in Minnesota meets the verification requirement. Document this verbal statement in CASE/NOTEs. For people in the Safe At Home Program, see (Safe At Home Program). Cash contributions received from sponsors of immigrants. See (Income of Sponsors of LPRs With I-864). Disability exemption from work registration. See (Verifying Disability/Incapacity - SNAP). Date and reason of employment termination, and date last paid. Verify at the point of employment termination for participants, and for any employment terminated within 60 days of application for applicants. For more information, see (Refusing or Terminating Employment). The number of hours of employment or work program activities for non-exempt able-bodied adults subject to the 3 months in 36 months limit on eligibility. See (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents) for more information. Verify and allow the following IF an applicant/participant wants a deduction from their income for: Housing costs. Verify at application in order to allow the expense as a deduction. Open the case but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return requested verification. During the certification period, verify changes whenever they occur. If a change which is not verified decreases benefits, budget the change and verify at recertification. If a change which is not verified increases benefits, do not budget the change. At recertification, any change in housing costs needs to be verified to allow the expense as a deduction. Process the recertification but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return the requested verification. NOTE: Use of the standard utility allowance(s) does not need to be verified, unless there is inconsistent information. See (Verifications Inconsistent Information). Property taxes and property insurance. Verify property taxes and property insurance when the unit indicates that there are other expenses in the escrow account that are not allowable housing expenses. See (Shelter Deductions). Some medical expenses in order to allow the expenses as a deduction. See (Medical Deductions) for when you can allow the expenses and when to require verification. The amount of a court-ordered child support obligation and the amount of child support actually paid to another household, in order to allow the support as a deduction. See (Child and Spousal Support Deductions).

10 MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP Verify school attendance if applicable to the SNAP case. Unless questionable, a verbal statement from the client meets the verification requirement.

11 SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION (SAVE) The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system is an inter-governmental information-sharing program that verifies immigration status, or naturalized/derived citizenship for applicants of federal, state and local public benefits. SAVE provides 2 methods to verify status - a secure electronic (primary), and a paper (secondary) method. SAVE is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Use SAVE to verify the immigration status, or naturalized/derived citizenship of applicants for MFIP, DWP, SNAP, GA, MSA, GRH, RCA, and MFAP. Also use SAVE to verify a change in immigration status of participants. For SAVE to verify an applicant s status, the agency must have: The applicant s first name, last name and date of birth. AND A numeric identifier from a USCIS document. For example: - Alien or USCIS number. - Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record number. - Permanent Resident Card. - Employment Authorization Document. - Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) ID number. - Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship. - Valid/unexpired foreign passport number. Do NOT use SAVE: For people who are not applying for benefits for themselves, even if they are applying on behalf of others. When a unit withdraws its application for assistance. When a unit transitions from one cash program to another without a break in eligibility, unless a change of status is reported. For APPLICANTS: 1. Request USCIS documents from non-citizen(s) and/or those reporting naturalized, or derived citizenship. If the applicant cannot locate their paper documents, but is able to provide a numeric identifier, such as the Alien or USCIS number, use the number to query SAVE. 2. Use the documents provided to find the following: first name, last name, date of birth, and a USCIS numeric identifier. Expired documents can be used to find these biographic identifiers, with the exception of passports. Passports must be valid/unexpired. 3. Submit electronic SAVE query. Do not use the paper based verification method unless required by SAVE. 4. Once you receive the SAVE results, enter the immigration status verified by SAVE on the STAT/IMIG panel in MAXIS. 5. On STAT/IMIG update the Status Ver field in MAXIS to either S1 (Save Primary/electronic) or S2 (SAVE Secondary/paper method). Do not use the paper method unless required by SAVE.

12 SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION (SAVE) If SAVE instructs you to submit paper documents, print and mail the required documents to: Minnesota Status Verification Office 2901 Metro Drive, Suite 100 Bloomington, MN SAVE will provide the applicant s status within 10 to 20 federal working days. For PARTICIPANTS who have a change in immigration status: 1. Submit a SAVE query using the biographic information already on file. 2. Follow Steps 3 through 5 above (and 6, if required). See (Mandatory Verifications), (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance), (Mandatory Verifications - SNAP), (Verifying Citizenship and Immigration Status). Also see TEMP Manual TE (SAVE System Access).

13 TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE The flat rate deduction for transportation for all programs is 54.5 cents per mile based on the current Federal IRS rate. Use the flat rate deduction or itemize transportation expenses.

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15 EARNED INCOME DISREGARDS Earned income disregards are an employment incentive. Subtract earned income disregards only from the monthly earned income of a client. See (Earned Income), (Self-Employment Income). Do not reduce earned income to less than $0 or use earned income disregards to reduce unearned income. People may lose the earned income disregard when computing overpayments for failure to report a change timely. See (Determining Incorrect Payment Amounts). MFIP, DWP, GA: Disregard the 1st $65 of earned income per wage earner plus half of the remaining earned income of the assistance unit. SNAP: Allow 20% of the unit's gross earned income as a work expense deduction. If you already applied the deduction to work study or fellowship income when calculating student financial aid, do not include the work study or fellowship income in earned income when applying this deduction. See (Identifying Title IV or Federal Student Aid), (Student Financial Aid Deductions). If after applying the farm loss offset, the unit passes the GIT and income remains, allow a 20% deduction of the gross earned income from that amount prior to applying other deductions. See the SNAP Farm Loss Offset Policy Guide (PDF). People may lose the work expense deduction when computing overpayments for failure to report a required change timely. See (Determining Incorrect Payment Amounts). MSA: For SSI recipients, no county action is required. For non-ssi recipients due to excess income, disregard the 1st $65 of earned income plus half of the remaining earned income of the assistance unit. Allow the Student Earned Income Disregard from earned income when a client meets ALL 3 of the following conditions: - Is under age Is certified as blind or disabled by the Social Security Administration or the State Medical Review Team. - Is expecting to attend school at least 1 month in the next calendar quarter, or did attend school at least 1 month of the current calendar quarter. Limit the Student Earned Income Disregard to a maximum of $1,820 a month and $7,350 in a calendar year. Apply it only to the client's income. Also see (Work Expense Deductions). GRH: For aged, blind or disabled adults, follow MSA. For all other adults, follow GA.

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17 MSA ASSISTANCE STANDARDS MFIP, DWP, SNAP, GA, GRH: No provisions. MSA: MSA has assistance standards whose use depends upon the applicant or participant s circumstances including: The SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) upon which the client's SSI grant is based. See (Supplemental Security Income Program). Whether a person is eligible for a home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver, including: - Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI). - Elderly Waiver (EW). - Brain Injury (BI). - Community Alternative Care for Chronically Ill Individuals (CAC). - Developmental Disabilities (DD). See the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual for information on these programs. A person who is eligible for any HCBS waiver is considered to be living alone. Whether a person meets county plan requirements for Housing Support placement (GRH plan) though not actually living in a Housing Support setting. Whether a person is eligible for MSA Housing Assistance. See (MSA Housing Assistance). A person who is eligible for MSA Housing Assistance is always considered to be living alone. Apply the living alone assistance standard when determining eligibility. A client's marital status. A client's living arrangement. Apply the living alone assistance standard if a person lives in their own residence without others. If a person lives with others, apply the living with others assistance standard UNLESS they: - Are eligible for an HCBS waiver. - Meet county plan requirements for Housing Support placement. - Are eligible for MSA Housing Assistance. - Constitute a separate household from others who reside at that address. A separate household exists when a person: 1. Is subject to an individual lease or rental agreement. 2. Purchases, prepares and eats meals separately from others in the household. 3 Has exclusive use of part of the residence (such as a bedroom). If the client meets any of these criteria, apply the living alone assistance standard. A person who lives with others may or may not be receiving a reduced SSI benefit due to receiving In-kind Support and

18 MSA ASSISTANCE STANDARDS Maintenance (ISM). A person who lives with others and receives SSI based on the $500 FBR (Federal Living Arrangement B) cannot be considered a separate household. MSA COMMUNITY STANDARDS The standard for MSA applicants and participants who live independently in the community is the total of the client's MSA assistance standard and any ongoing special needs allowances. See 0023 (Special Needs Payments). If a married couple lives together and both partners are applying and have an MSA basis of eligibility, combine their incomes to determine eligibility and benefit level. Use the highest appropriate standard. A county may set its own standards at a higher level than the State Standards, but there is no State aid for the extra costs. MSA MONTHLY ASSISTANCE STANDARDS Person living alone $ Person living with others $ Married couple living alone $1, Married couple living with others $ Married couple living alone (pre-1994) $1, Married couple living with others (pre-1994). $1, APPLY THE $811 LIVING ALONE STANDARD WHEN: A single person receives SSI benefits based on the $750 FBR and lives alone. A single person does NOT receive SSI solely due to excess income and lives alone. A single person lives with others and is eligible for MA waivers, a GRH plan, MSA Housing Assistance, or is a separate household from others residing at that address. A single person at the SSI $750 FBR due to a presidential disaster declaration and/or being homeless. A married person lives with his or her ineligible spouse and receives SSI benefits based on the $750 FBR or does not receive SSI due to excess income. A married person lives with an ineligible spouse and receives SSI benefits based on the $500 FBR and is eligible for MA Waivers, a GRH plan, or a shelter special need. APPLY THE $ LIVING WITH OTHERS STANDARD WHEN: A person receives SSI benefits based on the $500 SSI FBR, and is not eligible for MA waivers, a GRH plan, or MSA Housing Assistance. A person does NOT receive SSI solely due to excess income, and lives with others (including minor children but excluding spouse), and is NOT eligible for MA waivers, a GRH plan, or MSA Housing Assistance.

19 MSA ASSISTANCE STANDARDS A person at the SSI $750 FBR and lives with others (including minor children). Do not apply this standard to a person living only with a spouse ineligible for MSA (see "Apply the $811 living alone standard when:" above.) A married person lives with his or her ineligible spouse and receives SSI benefits based on the $500 FBR, and is NOT eligible for MA waivers, a GRH plan, or MSA Housing Assistance. APPLY THE $1,216 (OR $1,231 PRE-1994) STANDARD FOR A MARRIED COUPLE LIVING TOGETHER WHEN: Couple receives SSI based on the $1,125 FBR or is ineligible for SSI solely due to excess income and lives alone. Couple receives SSI based on the $1,125 FBR or is ineligible for SSI solely due to excess income, lives with others, and one or both is eligible for MA Waivers, a GRH plan, or MSA Housing Assistance. Couple at the SSI $1,125 FBR due to presidential disaster declaration and/or being homeless. APPLY THE $814 (OR $1,077 PRE-1994) STANDARD FOR A MARRIED COUPLE LIVING WITH OTHERS WHEN: Couple receives SSI benefits based on the $750 FBR. Couple NOT receiving SSI solely due to excess income. MSA FACILITIES STANDARD: The assistance standard for people at the SSI $30 FBR (Federal Living Arrangement D ) and living in facilities where personal needs are not otherwise provided, OR some children who are blind, is the personal needs allowance - $99. See (Personal Needs Allowance) for eligibility requirements. A person hospitalized for illness may continue to receive their community standard established before being hospitalized if it is more than the personal needs allowance and if the person meets the conditions of temporary absence in (Assistance Units - Temporary Absence). MSA clients who are residents of a licensed residential facility are NOT eligible for any special needs allowances EXCEPT for representative payee services. See (Representative Payee Services). NOTE: Clients in a Minnesota Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund (CCDTF) facility are NOT eligible for MSA.

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21 PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE MFIP, SNAP: No provisions. DWP: An allowance of up to $70 per month per DWP unit member to pay for expenses such as household products and personal products. See (How to Calc. Benefit Level - MFIP/DWP/GA). MSA: The personal needs allowance is $99. Consider this allowance as the standard of need for MSA clients who meet 1 of the criteria listed below. Also see (MSA Assistance Standards). Clients in medical facilities where MA pays the cost of care. SSI recipients who receive the $30 Federal Benefit Rate for federal living arrangement D, see (Supplemental Security Income Program). Blind children who meet all the following requirements: - They live with their parents and would be ineligible for SSI or their SSI would be less if their parents' income or assets were counted. AND - They previously received a personal needs allowance from SSI when they were in a Title XIX (Medicaid) facility. AND - They receive MA under 1 of the following programs: TEFRA Option, Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver, Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI), or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). See the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual for information on these programs. GA: The personal needs allowance is $99 for clients in licensed residential facilities provided this need is not otherwise met. GRH: The personal needs allowance is $99. Allow the $99 as a deduction from net income before calculating the GRH payment. For clients who have insufficient income, it may be paid from GA.

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23 PROVISIONS FOR REPLACING BENEFITS MFIP, MSA, GA, GRH: Provisions for replacing benefits apply to participants, vendors, and protective payees. ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) Benefits accessed with an EBT card and correct PIN (personal identification number) are not replaceable. DIRECT DEPOSIT A direct deposit transaction will ONLY be replaced if the bank notifies DHS of a reject. All replacement of direct deposit will be done by DHS staff. The procedure for this replacement is: The bank will notify DHS of a direct deposit reject. DHS staff will remove current direct deposit information on the case, notify county worker of reject and request method of replacement. DHS will NOT replace benefits as direct deposit. NON-EBT ISSUANCE A client requesting replacement warrant(s) must file a Non-Receipt/Replacement Affidavit (DHS-1609) (PDF) with the county agency. A vendor or alternative payee requesting replacement warrant(s) must file an Affidavit of Failure to Receive Warrant (for Vendors/Payees) (DHS-1609A). They must state why they need a replacement (for example: lost in the mail, never received, or destroyed). If you can prove a warrant went back to the Issuance Operations Center (IOC) or has stale dated, do not require an affidavit. County agencies may require clients to file a police report if the request for replacement is for a lost, stolen, or destroyed warrant. If the warrant has been cashed, request copies of the warrant(s) following procedures outlined in TEMP Manual TE (Request Copy of Cashed Warrant or Repl One). Have the client view the signatures on the warrant and complete the Affidavit Covering Endorsement of a State of Minnesota Warrant (DHS-5303) (PDF) in the presence of the county fraud investigator. All cashed warrants must be replaced by DHS. A county may or may not require an indemnity bond for checks it issues. If it requires a bond, it must require one of anyone requesting a county replacement check. Counties may not require an indemnity bond for state warrant replacements. Do not replace a warrant when you can document that the request for replacement is fraudulent. Give people written notice of denial. See (Fraudulently Obtaining Public Assistance). If you suspect the request to be fraudulent, but cannot document the fraud, replace the warrant and refer the case for investigation. Replace a warrant no more than 7 calendar days after the person reports it as stolen, lost, or destroyed (and there is no fraudulent intent). Do not replace a warrant the person reports as not received until 5 mailing days after issuance. However, do not wait 5 days when you can show worker error caused the benefit to go to the wrong address, and the person cannot get the warrant at the incorrect address. Replacement warrants have a different number than the original, and states that they are replacement warrants. Do not deny cash replacement solely because of multiple losses. When people do not live in the county of financial responsibility, the servicing county must replace warrants. See 0006 (Determining Financial Responsibility).

24 PROVISIONS FOR REPLACING BENEFITS For replacing the food portion of MFIP, follow the SNAP provisions. DWP: Follow MFIP, EXCEPT the reference to replacement of the food portion of MFIP does not apply. SNAP: Replace benefits only under specific conditions. See (Situations Requiring SNAP Benefit Replacement). Replace food destroyed in a disaster if SNAP EBT or cash-out money purchased it. See (Replacing Food Destroyed in a Disaster). In some instances, there is a limit to the number of times the county agency may replace benefits. Units must also report the loss to the county agency (either orally or in writing) within certain time frames. See (Situations Requiring SNAP Benefit Replacement) for more information. Most units requesting replacement must come into the county agency and sign a Non-Receipt/Replacement Affidavit (DHS-1609) (PDF). Units must complete the DHS-1609 to get replacements unless you can verify that a warrant has been returned to the IOC or has stale dated. Counties may mail the DHS-1609 when clients are unable to come into the county agency office because: Of their age, a disability, or transportation problems. AND They are unable to appoint an authorized representative. See (Authorized Representatives). Unless there is documentation showing possible fraud, issue authorized replacement benefits within 10 calendar days after the unit reports benefits not received, destroyed, etc., or within 2 working days of completing the DHS-1609, whichever is later. Do not replace other warrant benefits reported as not received until 5 mailing days after issuance. The only EXCEPTION to the 5- or 6-day wait is when you can verify that worker error caused the benefit to go to the wrong address and the client will not be able to get the benefit at the incorrect address. Follow MFIP procedures to replace cash-out warrants. Inform clients of the right to appeal a denial or delay of a replacement. See 0027 (Appeals).

25 REFUSING OR TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT A leave of absence is NOT considered refusing or terminating employment. See TE (Coding STAT/JOBS for a Leave of Absence) for MAXIS coding instructions. MFIP: Sanction participants for failure to accept suitable employment or for terminating suitable employment, ONLY if they are enrolled in MFIP Employment Services (MFIP-ES). See (Suitable/Unsuitable Work). When participants extended under the employed or limited work due to illness/disability category involuntarily lose employment, allow a 1-month exemption from meeting hourly employment requirements. See (MFIP Employed Extension Category), (Limited Work Due to Illness/Disability). When a job counselor determines that a sanction is appropriate for failure to accept or terminating suitable employment, the job counselor will notify the financial worker using the DWP/MFIP Status Update Form (DHS-3165) (PDF). When you get the Status Update Form, send the participant a Notice of Adverse Action (NOAA). See (Sanctions for Failure to Comply - Cash). DWP: Disqualify family units when a participant(s) fails to accept suitable employment or terminates suitable employment without good cause. See (Good Cause for Non-Compliance--MFIP/DWP). SNAP: Federal regulations specify that households will be subject to disqualification from receipt of SNAP benefits if the PWE or a non- PWE, without good cause, quit employment or voluntarily reduced work hours of 30 or more hours per week (or employment that weekly paid a wage equal to 30 hours times federal minimum wage) within 60 days of applying for SNAP benefits. Sanction only the client when a non-pwe fails to participate, cooperate, accept employment, voluntarily quits, or voluntarily reduced work hours of suitable employment within the 60 days before application or while receiving SNAP. In the case of an applicant PWE who is determined to have quit employment or voluntarily reduced work hours without good cause, the household s eligibility will be denied and the household will be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 90 days, starting from the date of quit. For a non-pwe applicant, disqualify only the individual for 90 days from the date of quit. In the case of a participant PWE who is determined to have quit employment or voluntarily reduced work hours without good cause, the household must be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits for 3 calendar months, starting with the 1st of the month following timely notice. If you are unable to disqualify the unit for 3 months because the quit or determination of the quit occurs in the last month of the certification, cite overpayments for SNAP issued the month following the month the PWE quit. Apply this provision to non-pwe participants but only disqualify the individual. This provision does not apply if the client meets any of the following: The PWE is exempt from work registration or SNAP E&T participation, EXCEPT that the exemption for a person working 30 or more hours per week may not be used in this situation. The PWE quit self-employment. The PWE quit a job at the employer's demand. A federal, state, or local government employee who is dismissed because of participating in a strike is considered to have quit employment. The PWE accepted equivalent employment. For more information, see (Mandatory Verifications SNAP). A PWE disqualified for quitting a job carries the sanction from 1 assistance unit to another if the person joins another unit as that unit's PWE.

26 REFUSING OR TERMINATING EMPLOYMENT Once started, the disqualification period runs without interruption unless any of the following happen: The PWE returns to the same job. The PWE accepts equivalent employment. A new member joins the unit as the unit PWE. The PWE becomes exempt from work registration or SNAP E&T participation, for a reason other than receiving unemployment compensation. MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions.

27 SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM The Social Security Administration operates the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This program provides monthly income to low income aged, blind, and disabled people. GA and RCA applicants who are aged, blind, or disabled must apply for SSI. MFIP participants who are disabled must apply for SSI. See (Applying for Other Benefits), (Special Services Applying for Social Security), (Refugee Cash Assistance). SSI recipients may be eligible for MSA. All SSI recipients have a basis of eligibility for MA but are not automatically eligible for benefits. SSI recipients who are age 18 or over or under age 18 and blind have a basis of eligibility for MSA. SSI recipients are not eligible for DWP, MFIP or GA. See 0013 (Basis of Eligibility). SSI RESOURCE LIMITS Individual $2,000 Couple $3,000 SSI FEDERAL BENEFIT RATES 2018 Individual Couple Federal Living Arrangement (FLA) A(Own home) $ $1, Federal Living Arrangement (FLA) B (Home of another) $ $ Federal Living Arrangement (FLA) D (Living in medical facility) $30.00 In some situations, Social Security will adjust benefits by using standard amounts based on the full Federal Benefit Rate (FBR). For 2018, these amounts are: Individual Couple Value of 1/3 reduction (VTR): $ $ Presumed maximum value (PMV) of in-kind support and maintenance (ISM) $ $ Essential person increment $ Ineligible child allocation $ Refer applicants/participants who want help applying for or retaining SSI to the Disability Linkage Line, See (Special Services Applying for Social Security). Provide potentially eligible clients and clients who are referred to SSA with the SSA web site and toll-free telephone number. The toll-free number is For information on Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) resources, see the Employment Services Manual Appendix G (Resources for Americans with Disabilities (ADA).

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