NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA
February 8, 2012

IM 5139

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

FROM:	Carol Cartledge, Director, Economic Assistance Policy

SUBJECT:	Decrease in Mandatory Utility Standards
			 
PROGRAMS:	SNAP	

EFFECTIVE:	April 1, 2012	 

RETENTION: 	Until Manualized

SECTIONS 
AFFECTED:	430-05-40-50-10

The SNAP Program received Federal notification to decrease the Mandatory Utility Standards.  Notification concerning this decrease was first communicated to County Social Service offices through FYI 11-029 on August 3, 2011.  The change was not implemented at that time because written notification from the regional FNS office was received instructing us not to make the change.  

The current $66 decrease in the Standard Utility Allowance is being implemented to lessen the impact of the future change.  Mandatory Utility Standards will be again be decreased for the benefit month of October 2012.

Effective with the benefit month of April 2012 Mandatory Utility Standards will be decreased as listed below:

Utility Standard	Old	New	
Standard -HLSU	$653	$587	
Limited - LUSA	$226	$205	
Minimum - MU	$188	$168	
Telephone - TL	$  38	$ 36	
Table changes will be made at the State Office and a mass change will be ran to unauthorize all SNAP cases for the benefit month of April. The changes will be reflected in the case when April benefits are authorized.  

Attached is a hand out which can be given to clients and a flyer which can be printed and displayed in County Social Service Office waiting rooms.

REMINDER:
Workers must use the benefit calculator to determine whether any other changes reported by the household during the calendar month of March will result in an increase in benefits from the amount the household received in March 2012 using the benefit calculator effective April 1, 2012.  If the result is an increase in benefits for April 2012, the change must be made to increase April 2012 benefits.  

Example:

A combination SNAP/MA household submits paystubs for February on March 09, 2012.  Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs along with the Utility Standard  adjustment will result in an increase in benefits.  This change must be made to increase April 2012 benefits.

If the result is a decrease in benefits, then only the changes which meet the criteria to decrease benefits are acted on along with the Utility Standard adjustment for April 2012.  Any changes reported that do not meet the criteria to decrease benefits are not acted on.

Example:

A combination SNAP/MA household submits paystubs for February on March 09, 2012. Using the benefit calculator the worker determines that the paystubs along with the Utility Standard adjustment will result in a decrease in benefits.  When processing this case for April, the February paystubs are not used and the income remains unchanged.  The case is authorized for April with the Utility Standard adjustment only. 

REMINDER: Certification Manual at 430-05-67-50 – 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 April 1, 2012.  

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

If you have questions, please contact your Regional Representative.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

POSSIBLE
BENEFIT REDUCTION
April 1, 2012

Due to Federal Government Policy Change
For more information
Contact your Eligibility Worker 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
POSSIBLE BENEFIT REDUCTION
APRIL 1, 2012
•	Reduction in benefits is because of Federal Government policy change to the SNAP program

•	 Decrease in SNAP benefits range from $1.00 to $20.00 

•	A new formula has to be used to calculate the amount a household can deduct for the cost of heating, cooling, electricity, sewer, water, garbage, and phone services

•	All states are required to use this new formula

•	Households will receive a letter in March 2012 from their eligibility worker telling them the exact amount of their new SNAP benefits beginning April 1, 2012

•	Please contact your eligibility worker for more information

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
POSSIBLE BENEFIT REDUCTION
APRIL 1, 2012
•	Reduction in benefits is because of Federal Government policy change to the SNAP program

•	 Decrease in SNAP benefits range from $1.00 to $20.00 

•	A new formula has to be used to calculate the amount a household can deduct for the cost of heating, cooling, electricity, sewer, water, garbage, and phone services

•	All states are required to use this new formula

•	Households will receive a letter in March 2012 from their eligibility worker telling them the exact amount of their new SNAP benefits beginning April 1, 2012

•	Please contact your eligibility worker for more information