Action on Multiple Reported Changes 430-05-65-15-20

(Revised 11/01/07 ML3111)

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If a household reports multiple changes that result in an increase in benefits or the benefit determination is unclear, the changes must be verified.  If the household does not provide verification, the F442 – Request for Additional Information must be sent allowing the household 10 days from the mail date of the notice to verify the reported changes.

  1. If the household provides verification within the 10 day period, the worker must act on the reported change within 10 days and send the household the appropriate notice.  If the changes result in a decrease in benefits, advance notice is required unless the change is signed by the household, then adequate notice is required.  
  2. If the household does not provide the verification within the 10 day period, the worker will receive an alert to send the F401 – Failure to Provide Information.  If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the F401 must not be sent until the next working day.  
  1. If it is prior to advance notice deadline, the F401 must be sent and the case will close at the end of the month.
  2. If it is after advance notice deadline, the F401 cannot be sent until the first working day of the following month. Benefits for the last month of the certification period are authorized the same as the previous month.

Exception:

If the worker received an alert that child support was received in the base month, this change must be acted on for the last month of the certification period as it is considered known information to the agency.

  1. If the household provides verification of one or more of the reported changes but not all of the changes and it is:
  1. prior to advance notice deadline, the F401 must be sent and the case will close at the end of the month.
  2. after advance notice deadline, the F401 cannot be sent until the first working day of the following month. The worker must act on all verified information within 10 days and send the appropriate notice. If the changes result in a decrease in benefits, advance notice is required unless the change is signed by the household, then adequate notice is required. The information that was reported but not verified is not acted on.

Examples:

On March 18 an individual reports a change in rent and a change in unearned income.  The worker sends the F442 on March 18 allowing the household 10 days to provide verification of the changes.  On March 25 the household provides signed verification of the change in rent.  When working benefits for the month of April, the change in rent is acted on.  The change in unearned income cannot be anticipated as verification was not provided.  The worker must send the F401 on April 1st to close the case the end of April.