NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
August 27, 2007

IM 5017

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

FROM:	Blaine Nordwall, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:		FOOD STAMP STANDARD, THRIFTY FOOD PLAN AND
		INCOME ELIGIBILITY LEVEL CHANGES

PROGRAMS:	Food Stamps

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized

The following income eligibility level, standard deduction, maximum allowable shelter deduction, and Thrifty Food Plan changes are effective October 1, 2007. The mandatory utility standards remain unchanged. These changes are NOT considered primary source for simplified reporting households.

Table changes will be made at the State Office and a mass change will be run to unauthorized all food stamp cases. The above changes will be reflected in the case when October benefits are authorized.  

1.	The gross income standards at 430-05-50-10-05 are as follows:

	H.H. Size		Max. Inc.	H.H. Size	Max. Inc.

	1		    1,107	      9	$	4,123
		2	 		1,484		10	 	4,500
		3	 		1,861		11	 	4,877
		4	 		2,238		12	 	5,254
		5	 		2,615		13	 	5,631
		6	 		2,992		14	 	6,008
		7	 		3,369		15	 	6,385
		8	 		3,746                 Each Add. Member	+377

2.	The net income standards at 430-05-50-10-10 are as follows:

	H.H. Size		Max. Inc.	H.H. Size	Max. Inc.

		1		$    851		  9	$	3,171
		2	   		1,141		10	 	3,461
		3	 		1,431		11	 	3,751
		4	 		1,721		12	 	4,041
		5	 		2,011		13	 	4,331
		6	 		2,301		14	 	4,621
		7	 		2,591		15	 	4,911
		8	 		2,881                 Each Add. Member	 +290

3.	The companion household gross monthly income limits at 430-05-30-30 are as follows:

	H.H. Size		Max. Inc.	H.H. Size	Max. Inc.

		1		$	1,404		  5	$	3,318
		2	 		1,883		  6	 	3,797
		3	 		2,361		  7	 	4,275
		4			2,840		  8	 	4,754
			                              Each Add. Member	  	 +479

4.	The standard deduction at 430-05-50-10-10, 430-05-55-05, and 430-05-60-05 remains at $134 for a household size of 1-3; and changes to $143 for a household size of 4; $167 for a household size of 5; and $191 for a household size of 6+.

5.	The maximum allowable shelter deduction at 430-05-50-10-10 and 430-05-55-40 changes to $431.

6.	The Thrifty Food Plan at 430-05-60-05 are:

	H.H. Size		Amount    	H.H. Size	Amount

	1		 $	162		  5	$	643
		2	 	   	298		  6	  	772
		3	 		426		  7	  	853
		4	 		542		  8	  	975
					                   Each Add. Member	 +122

Simplified Reporting Households:

For simplified reporting households who report other changes during the calendar month of September, workers must use the benefit calculator to determine whether the changes will result in an increase in benefits from the amount the household received in September 2007 using the benefit calculator effective October 1, 2007.  If the result is an increase in benefits for October 2007, the change must be made to increase October 2007 benefits.  

Example:

A combination FS/MA household submits paystubs for August on September 10, 2007.  Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs along with the cost of living adjustments will result in an increase in benefits.  This change must be made to increase October 2007 benefits.

If the result is a decrease in benefits, then only the cost of living adjustments are used to increase benefits for October 2007.  The remaining changes are not made as this would result in a decrease in benefits.

Example:

A combination FS/MA household submits paystubs for August on September 10, 2007. Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs along with the cost of living adjustments will result in an decrease in benefits.  When processing this case for October, the August paystubs are not used and the income remains unchanged.  The case is authorized for October with the cost of living adjustments only. 

If the household provides primary source verification, all changes must be acted on regardless of whether they result in an increase or decrease in benefits.   

Example:

A combination FS/MA/CCAP household submits paystubs and a child care billilng form for August on September 10, 2007.  Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs and child care assistance billing form along with the cost of living adjustments will result in an decrease in benefits.  When processing this case for October, the August paystubs and child care billing form are used to determine eligibility and level of benefits for October as the child care billing form is primary source. 

Change Reporting Households:

For change reporting households, the new cost of living adjustments must be acted on for October 1, 2007 regardless of whether they result in an increase or decrease in benefits.  

REMINDER: Certification Manual 430-05-65-65 “10-Day Advance Notice Not Required” - A 10-day advance notice is not required for adjustments to eligibility standards, benefits, deductions, utility standards, grant adjustments, and changes in federal benefits.  Adequate notice must be provided.  The State Office provides mass media notices.

The updated benefit calculator for the Food Stamp Program is available on the “I” drive for county staff (“P” drive for state staff) in the Economic Assistance, Food Stamp folder.  It includes the updated Thrifty Food Plan, Standard Deduction and Shelter Max that are effective October 1, 2007 in this IM.  It is also included as an attachment to this IM to ensure that all workers have the current benefits calculator along with an explanation of some changes made to correctly compute self- employment. 

Benefit Calculator

The Excel benefit calculator has been changed to correctly compute self-employment farm loss offsets and to include the new gross and net income limits, standard deduction, maximum shelter deduction and thrifty food plan.  The new calculator attached below is effective for the benefit month of October.  

In order for the calculator to correctly compute the self-employment farm loss offset, separate lines were added for self-employment income that represents a gain and farm self-employment income that represents a loss.  The loss is subtracted from the self-employment income that represents a gain, prior to the 20% earned income deduction being applied to the gain.

If the farm loss is less then the self-employment income that represents a gain, the 20% earned income deduction is then applied to the self-employment gain.  

If the farm loss is greater then the self-employment income that represents a gain, the remaining loss is subtracted from earned income after the 20% deduction and unearned income.  

The benefit calculator on the DHS website is updated to include these changes and will be made available October 1, 2007.  

The Food Assistance Program Eligibility Requirements has been updated with the changes for federal fiscal year 2008, is attached and available on the “I” drive.  

The Food Assistance Program brochure and DN 696 “Food Stamp Program: Simplified Reporting Households” have been updated and are presently at the printer.   We will advise once these are available for order. 

Note:  The answer to Question #13 in FYI 07-010 dated April 11, 2007 is incorrect because mass changes are NOT considered primary source verification.    

Question #13 Are mass changes considered primary source verification?

Yes, mass changes are primary source verification.  Thus, if the household reports other information that would result in a decrease in benefits to the case, the change must be acted on.

Mass changes are NOT considered primary source verification.