NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
August 27, 2009

IM 5077

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 SNAP

PROGRAMS:	SNAP

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized
		
The following changes in the gross and net income standards, standard deduction and maximum shelter deduction are effective October 1, 2009.  

Because the regular annual inflation adjustment in the thrifty food plan and minimum benefit would have resulted in a lesser amount, the temporary increase provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that was effective April 1, 2009 will remain in effect resulting in no change to the thrifty food plan and minimum benefit.  

There were also no changes to the mandatory utility standards.
 
Table changes will be made at the State Office and a mass change will be run to unauthorize all SNAP cases for the benefit month of October. 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	$1,174	9	$4,416	
2	1,579	10	4,822	
3	1,984	11	5,228	
4	2,389	12	5,634	
5	2,794	13	6,040	
6	3,200	14	6,446	
7	3,605	15	6,852	
8	4,010	Each Additional Member	406	

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	$903	9	$3,397	
2	1,215	10	3,709	
3	1,526	11	4,021	
4	1,838	12	4,333	
5	2,150	13	4,645	
6	2,461	14	4,957	
7	2,773	15	5,269	
8	3,085	Each Additional Member	312	

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	$1,490	5	$3,547	
2	2,004	6	4,061	
3	2,518	7	4,575	
4	3,032	8	5,089	
		Each Additional Member	515	

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 deductions are indexed for inflation.  As a result, the standard deduction for a household size of 1-3 decreased from $144 to $141.  All others were increased.       

HH Size	Standard Deduction	HH Size	Standard Deduction	
1-3	$141	5	$179	
4	153	6+	205	

Maximum Allowable Shelter Deduction

The maximum allowable shelter deduction at 430-05-50-10-10 and 430-05-55-40 changes to $459.

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 2009 using the benefit calculator effective October 1, 2009.  If the result is an increase in benefits for October 2009, the change must be made to increase October 2009 benefits.  

Example:

A combination SNAP/MA household submits paystubs for August on September 10, 2009.  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 2009 benefits.

If the result is a decrease in benefits, then only the cost of living adjustments are used to increase benefits for October 2009.  The remaining changes are not made as this would result in a decrease in benefits.

Example:

A combination SNAP/MA household submits paystubs for August on September 10, 2009. 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. 

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 SNAP is available on the County Intranet in the Economic Assistance, SNAP folder.  The benefit calculator on the DHS website will be updated to include these changes available October 1, 2009.  

The SNAP Eligibility Requirements has been updated with these changes and  is available on the County Intranet.  

The SNAP brochure has been updated and is presently being printed.  We will let you know when the brochure is available for order.  

The DN 696 “SNAP: Simplified Reporting Households” has been updated and is available for order.