NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
August 28, 2008

IM 5045

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

FROM:	Tove Mandigo, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	Annual Changes in the Food Stamp Program

PROGRAMS:	Food Stamps

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized
		
The following changes in the gross and net income standards, standard deduction, minimum benefit, maximum shelter deduction, mandatory utility standards and thrifty food plan are effective October 1, 2008. 

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.  

Gross Income Standards

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

HH Size	Maximum Income	HH Size	Maximum Income	
1	$1,127	9	$4,247	
2	1,517	10	4,637	
3	1,907	11	5,027	
4	2,297	12	5,417	
5	2,687	13	5,807	
6	3,077	14	6,197	
7	3,467	15	6,587	
8	3,857	Each Additional Member	390	
Net Income Standards

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

HH Size	Maximum Income	HH Size	Maximum Income	
1	$867	9	$3,267	
2	1,167	10	3,567	
3	1,467	11	3,867	
4	1,767	12	4,167	
5	2,067	13	4,467	
6	2,367	14	4,767	
7	2,667	15	5,067	
8	2,967	Each Additional Member	300	
	
Companion Household Gross Monthly Income Limits

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

HH Size	Maximum Income	HH Size	Maximum Income	
1	$1,430	5	$3,410	
2	1,925	6	3,905	
3	2,420	7	4,400	
4	2,915	8	4,895	
		Each Additional Member	495	

Standard Deductions 

The standard deductions at 430-05-50-10-10, 430-05-55-05, and 430-05-60-05 are changed as follows.  The standard deduction for a household size of 1 through 3 was indexed for inflation as part of the 2008 Farm Bill.  Prior to the 2008 Farm Bill only the standards for household sizes of 4 or greater were indexed.  As a result all standards will be indexed for inflation and will change each year as part of the cost of living adjustments.   

HH Size	Standard Deduction	HH Size	Standard Deduction	
1-3	$144	5	$172	
4	147	6+	197	

Minimum Benefit

The minimum benefit at 430-05-20-80, 430-05-60-15, and 430-05-95 changes to $14.  The minimum benefit was indexed for inflation as part of the 2008 Farm Bill and will change each year as part of the cost of living adjustments.

Maximum Allowable Shelter Deduction

The maximum allowable shelter deduction at 430-05-50-10-10 and 430-05-55-40 changes to $446.

Thrifty Food Plan

The thrifty food plan at 430-05-60-05 is as follows:

HH Size	Amount	HH Size	Amount	
1	$176	5	$698	
2	323	6	838	
3	463	7	926	
4	588	8	1058	
		Each Additional Member	132	

Mandatory Utility Standard

The mandatory utility standards at 430-05-55-40 are as follows:

a.	Standard Utility Allowance (HL SU):

Households responsible for heating/cooling costs or in receipt of LIHEAP including Tribal LIHEAP or renter/heat paid benefits are entitled to the full Standard Utility Allowance (HL SU on the EXSA screen) of $653.00, which includes all utility expenses.  

b.	Limited Utility Allowance (LU SA):

Households not entitled to the HL SU that incur at least two of the following utility expenses are entitled to the Limited Utility Allowance (LU SA on the EXSA screen) of $226.00.

				Water
				Sewer
				Garbage
				Electricity
				Telephone

c.	    Minimum Utility Standard (MU):

Households not entitled to the HL SU or LU SA that incur at least one of the following utility expenses are entitled to the Minimum Utility Standard (MU on the EXSA screen) of $188.00.
	
				Water
				Sewer
				Garbage
				Electricity

  d.	     Telephone Standard (TL):

Households not entitled to the HL SU, the LU SA or MU that incur telephone expenses only are entitled to the Telephone Standard (TL on the EXSA screen) of $38.00.  This figure did not change from last year. 

Dependent Care Costs

The dependent care costs at 430-05-55-25 are no longer subject to the maximum deduction of $200 per month for each child under the age of two and $175 per month for all other dependents.  The system caps will be removed for all cases for the benefit month of 10/08 which will allow the actual out of pocket costs coded in TECS as a deduction.  

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 2008 using the benefit calculator effective October 1, 2008.  If the result is an increase in benefits for October 2008, the change must be made to increase October 2008 benefits.  

Example:

A combination FS/MA household submits paystubs for August on September 10, 2008.  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 2008 benefits.

If the result is a decrease in benefits, then only the cost of living adjustments are used to increase benefits for October 2008.  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, 2008. Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs along with the cost of living adjustments will result in a 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. 

Change Reporting Households:

For change reporting households, the new cost of living adjustments must be acted on for October 1, 2008 regardless of whether they result in an increase or decrease in benefits.  

REMINDER: Certification Manual at 430-05-65-75 – Adequate Notice states, Advance notice is not required for mass changes for adjustments to eligibility standards, benefits, deductions, utility standards, grant adjustments, changes in federal benefits and the annual SSA/SSI cost of living adjustments.  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 County Intranet in the Economic Assistance, Food Stamp folder.  It is also included as an attachment to this IM to ensure that all workers have the current benefits calculator.  The benefit calculator on the DHS website will be updated to include these changes available October 1, 2008.  

The Food Assistance Program Eligibility Requirements has been updated with these changes is attached and available on the County Intranet.  

The Food Assistance Program brochure has been updated and is available for order.  

The DN 696 “Food Stamp Program: Simplified Reporting Households” has been updated and is presently at the printer.   We will advise when the DN 696 is available for order.