NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
September 29, 2006

IM 4993

TO:		County Social Service Directors
Economic Assistance Policy Regional Representatives
Economic Assistance Policy Quality Control Reviewers

FROM:	Blaine Nordwall, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	Implementation of Simplified Reporting and Income Conversion

PROGRAMS:	Food Stamp Program

EFFECTIVE:	October 1, 2006

RETENTION: 	Informational Only

Programming and acceptance testing have not gone as well as anticipated, and as a result we are delaying the implementation of Simplified Reporting and Income Conversion until November 1, 2006. These policies will be effective November 1, 2006 for new applications and recertification applications received on or after November 1, 2006. A 120-day hold harmless provision for Quality Control purposes applies once Simplified Reporting is implemented.  

The following changes are effective October 1, 2006:

The mass change (annual changes to the Thrifty Food Plan, Gross and Net Income Limits, Standard Deduction, Shelter Deduction and Utility Standards) included in Manual Letter 3044.

The reporting requirement timeframes for food stamp households.  All food stamp households are required to report changes by the 10th day of the month following the month the change occurred.

We appreciate your patience and want to ensure that the system works properly to support eligibility staff prior to implementation.