NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
September 17, 2009

IM 5080

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

FROM:	Tove Mandigo, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	2010 Census Income		 

PROGRAMS:	Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

EFFECTIVE:	October 1, 2009 

RETENTION: 	September 30, 2010

SECTIONS 	
AFFECTED:	430-05-50-20-05 Earned Income, Item #1

States have been invited to participate in a demonstration project in which the earnings of temporary census workers would be excluded as income for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  A decision has been made that the State of North Dakota will participate in this demonstration project.

Effective for all new applications and recertifications received on or after October 1, 2009, the earnings of temporary census workers will be excluded as income.  For ongoing cases, the earnings will be excluded when calculating November benefits.  A job was run and there are currently no cases with CE income for SNAP. 

This income will be excluded as long as the income earned is related to 2010 Census operations regardless of when the temporary census employee is hired and will be excluded through September 30, 2010. 

When calculating eligibility and level of benefits, the earned income code of “CE” must be used on the EAIN screen for all census income.  Using this code, the TECS system will automatically disregard counting this income.  We are required to report specific information to FNS regarding the project and use of the “CE” code will ensure accurate reporting.

The demonstration project allows us to align SNAP policy with TANF and Medicaid policies and will be beneficial to those SNAP applicants/recipients who are hired as temporary census workers.

If you have questions, please contact your Regional Representative.