reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 24 - Blind and Disabled Group Living Arrangements (GLA) › Rule 18-14-24.8 - Responsibilities of GLA When a Resident Departs

Current through June 25, 2024
A. The
				GLA must return any EBT cards in their possession and provide the personal
				identification number to the household so that the household may have access to
				any remaining funds on the card.
B.
				Any EBT cards not provided to the household upon departure must be returned to
				MDHS by the end of each month.
C.
				Upon a scheduled departure, the GLA must provide the household with a change
				reporting form and advise the household to complete and return the form to MDHS
				within 10 days.
D. The GLA is no
				longer authorized to act as the household's authorized representative for
				application purposes or as a benefit representative upon a resident's
				departure.
E. If benefits are not
				used, then the full monthly value of the benefits must be on the EBT card or
				refunded to the resident.
F. If
				benefits are debited by the GLA and any portion used, then one of the following
				must occur:
1. If the household leaves before
				the 16th of the month, the GLA must ensure the
				household has one-half of its monthly benefit allotment on the EBT card;
				or
2. If the household leaves on or
				after the 16th day of the month, the individual or
				household does not receive any benefits.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 24 - Blind and Disabled Group Living Arrangements (GLA) › Rule 18-14-24.9 - Responsibilities of Residents of GLAs upon Departure

Current through June 25, 2024
Upon departure, the individual must complete and return the
				  change reporting form provided by the GLA (if it acted as the authorized
				  representative) and return it to MDHS within 10 days to notify the agency of
				  the individual's new address. If the resident of the GLA acted on his or her
				  own behalf, he or she may obtain the change reporting form and return the
				  completed form by uploading it on the MDHS website.
7 CFR §
											273.11(f);
				  7 CFR §
										273.12(a)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 24 - Blind and Disabled Group Living Arrangements (GLA) › Rule 18-14-24.10 - MDHS Responsibilities

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS must verify
				that the GLAs meet the SNAP standards for certification prior to determining if
				any residents are eligible for SNAP benefits.
B. MDHS must conduct random periodic on-site
				visits to the GLAs to ensure the accuracy of the monthly list and consistency
				with MDHS records.
C. MDHS must
				ensure that the GLAs return unused benefits to the household through a refund,
				transfer or other means.
D. MDHS
				must effect the return or transfer of benefits if a resident departs and the
				GLA is unable to return the benefits as required in
Rule
				24.8 Responsibilities of GLA When a Resident
				Departs.
E. MDHS must
				promptly notify FNS when it suspects that a GLA is misusing benefits or EBT
				cards in its possession.
7 CFR §
											273.11(f)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 24 - Blind and Disabled Group Living Arrangements (GLA) › Rule 18-14-24.11 - GLA Disqualified by FNS as an Authorized Retailer

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS will suspend a GLA's status as an
				authorized representative for the same period as FNS' disqualification
				period.
B. Residents applying on
				their own behalf will still be able to participate in SNAP if otherwise
				eligible.
7 CFR §
											273.11(f)(1)(i);
				  7 CFR §
										278.1(f)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 24 - Blind and Disabled Group Living Arrangements (GLA) › Rule 18-14-24.12 - Notice of Adverse Action

Current through June 25, 2024
Residents of GLAs will not receive an individual notice of
				  adverse action when MDHS has terminated the eligibility of one of the residents
				  due to the facility losing either:
A.
				Its certification from the appropriate agency of the state of Mississippi;
				or
B. Its status as an authorized
				representative due to FNS disqualification.
7 CFR §
											273.13(b)(11)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.1 - Eligibility Criteria for Shelters for Battered Persons

Current through June 25, 2024
For residents of shelters for battered persons to be eligible
				  to participate in SNAP, the shelter must
either
be:
A. A public or private non-profit residential
				facility that serves battered persons; or
B. Authorized as a retailer by the Food and
				Nutrition Service (FNS).
C. If the
				facility serves other individuals, a portion of the facility must be set aside
				on a long-term basis to serve only battered persons to qualify.
7 CFR §
											271.2
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.2 - Dual Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
A. A resident of a
				shelter for battered persons may be entitled, if otherwise eligible, to an
				allotment in the same month the individual moves into the shelter provided that
				the abuser was included in the previous household.
B. Such additional allotments can only occur
				once a month.
7 CFR §
											273.3(a);
				  7 CFR §
										273.11(g)(2)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.3 - Expedited Service

Current through June 25, 2024
MDHS will make benefits available to residents in shelters
				  for battered persons who are entitled to expedited service no later than seven
				  calendar days following the application filing date.
7 CFR §
											273.2(i)(3)(v);
				  7 CFR §
										273.11(g)(4)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.4 - MDHS Responsibilities

Current through June 25, 2024
Prior to certifying any residents, MDHS must verify that the
				  shelter meets the definition of a shelter for battered
				  persons.
7 CFR §
											273.11(g)(1)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.5 - Use of Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
SNAP benefits may be used by shelter residents in any of the
				  following ways:
A. The residents may
				use the benefits to purchase meals prepared especially for them at the shelter,
				which is authorized by FNS to redeem benefits.
B. The residents may designate the shelter as
				a benefit representative so that the shelter can purchase food for meals served
				to the residents.
C. The residents
				may use the benefits to purchase food for their own consumption.
7 CFR §
											274.7(g)(3)(iii);
				  7 CFR §
										278.1(g);
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 25 - Shelters for Battered Persons › Rule 18-14-25.6 - Income, Resources and Expenses

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Shelter
				residents who apply as a separate household shall be certified only on the
				basis of their income, resources and expenses for which they are responsible,
				and their former household's income, resources and expenses shall be
				disregarded.
B. Jointly owned
				resources with a former household member will be considered inaccessible and
				therefore not counted.
7 CFR §
											273.8(d);
				  7 CFR §
										273.11(g)(3)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.1 - Homeless Individual

Current through June 25, 2024
An individual who lacks a fixed and regular nighttime
				  residence or whose primary nighttime residence is one of the following:
A. A supervised shelter designed to provide
				temporary accommodations;
B. A
				halfway house or similar location that provides a temporary residence for
				individuals intended to be institutionalized;
C. A temporary accommodation for not more
				than 90 days in the residence of another individual; or
D. A place not designed for, or ordinarily
				used, as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
7 CFR §
											271.2
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.2 - Homeless Meal Provider

Current through June 25, 2024
A homeless meal provider is either:
A. A public or private nonprofit
				establishment that feeds homeless people; or
B. A restaurant that contracts with an
				appropriate state agency to provide meals at low or reduced prices to homeless
				people.
7 CFR §
											271.2
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.3 - Authorized Representatives

Current through June 25, 2024
Homeless meal providers may not act as authorized
				  representatives for homeless SNAP recipients.
7 CFR §
											273.2(n)(4)(i)(D)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.4 - Use of Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
In addition to purchasing unprepared foods from retailers,
				  homeless SNAP households will be permitted to use their SNAP benefits
				  to:
A. Purchase prepared meals from
				homeless meal providers authorized by FNS; or
B. Purchase meals from restaurants authorized
				by FNS for such purpose.
7 CFR §
											273.11(h);
				  7 CFR §
										274.7(g)(4);
				  7 CFR §
											278.1(h)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.5 - Homeless Shelter Deduction

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS must offer
				a standard homeless deduction to households where all members are homeless and
				not receiving free shelter throughout the month.
B. Homeless households may claim actual costs
				instead of the standard homeless shelter deduction if the actual costs are
				higher and verified.
7 CFR §
											273.9(d)(6)(i)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 26 - Homeless SNAP Households › Rule 18-14-26.6 - Certification Periods

Current through June 25, 2024
Homeless households may be certified for one or two months
				  due to the unpredictable changes in income or household
				  status.
7 CFR §
											273.10(f)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.1 - General

Current through June 25, 2024
Migrant or seasonal farmworker households may be classified
				  as destitute and in need of expedited services even though they may receive
				  more income during the month of application.
7 CFR §
											273.10(e)(3)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.2 - Destitute Households

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Destitute status
				only applies to households consisting of migrant or seasonal farm
				workers.
B. Households whose only
				income for the month of application was received prior to the date of
				application and was from a terminated source will be considered destitute and
				provided expedited service.
C.
				Households whose only income for the month of application is received from a
				new source will be considered destitute and provided expedited service if
				income of more than $25 from the new source will not be received by the
				10th calendar day after the date of
				application.
D. Households may
				receive income from a terminated source prior to the date of application, and
				income from a new source after the date of application and still be considered
				destitute if they receive no other income in the month of application and
				income of more than $25 from the new source will not be received by the
				10th day after the date of application.
7 CFR §
											273.10(e)(3)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.3 - Eligibility and Benefit Levels

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Destitute
				households will have their eligibility and benefit levels calculated for the
				month of application by considering only income that is received between the
				first of the month and the date of application.
B. Any income from a new source that is
				anticipated after the day of application will be disregarded.
C. Migrant and seasonal farmworkers benefits
				are prorated only after a break of more than 30 days.
D. This only applies at initial
				certification, but only for the first month of each certification
				period.
7 CFR §
											273.10(a)(1);
				  7 CFR §
										273.10(e)(3)(iv)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.4 - Travel Advances

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Receipt of
				travel advances will not determine when a household is destitute.
B. The travel advance will be considered
				income if:
1. The travel advance is by written
				contract an advance of wages, rather than a reimbursement, and
2. The advance of wages will be subtracted
				from wages later earned by the household.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.5 - Same Source

Current through June 25, 2024
A. A household
				member who changes jobs, but continues to work for the same employer will be
				considered as receiving income from the same source.
B. A migrant farmworker's source of income
				will be considered the grower for whom the migrant is working for at a
				particular point in time and not the crew chief.
C. A migrant who travels with the same crew
				chief but moves from one grower to another will be considered to have moved
				from a terminated income source to a new source.
7 CFR §
											273.10(e)(3)(vi)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 27 - Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers › Rule 18-14-27.6 - Authorized Representatives

Current through June 25, 2024
If employers of migrant or seasonal farmworkers are
				  designated as authorized representatives or a single authorized representative
				  has access to a large number of EBT accounts, MDHS must ensure that:
A. Each household has freely requested the
				assistance of the authorized representative;
B. The household's circumstances are
				correctly represented;
C. The
				household is receiving the correct amount of benefits; and
D. The authorized representative is properly
				using the benefits.
7 CFR §
											273.2(n)(4)(iii)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.1 - General

Current through June 25, 2024
MDHS has received federal approval to implement ESAP, a
				  demonstration project, which is designed to simplify the SNAP application
				  process for households whose members are entirely sixty years of age or older.
				  The goal of the project is to promote SNAP enrollment among eligible elderly
				  citizens by providing a simpler method of applying for and maintaining
				  eligibility for SNAP benefits.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.2 - Eligibility

Current through June 25, 2024
A. To be determined eligible for ESAP, an
				individual must meet
all
of the following criteria:
1. All household members are age 60 or
				over;
2. No household members
				receive earned income;
3. The
				household is not mandatory to receive SNAP benefits through Mississippi
				Combined Application Project (MSCAP).
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.3 - Interviews

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Interviews at initial certification are
				required; however, a face-to-face interview is not required.
B. Recertification interviews are not
				required unless the case is being denied or the household specifically requests
				an interview.
C. No case will be
				denied without an attempt to schedule an interview.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.4 - Verification

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Households will self-declare information
				used to determine eligibility, such as identity and residence.
B. Computer matches will be used to the
				greatest extent possible to verify income and social security
				numbers.
C. ESAP clients are
				required to verify non-citizen status, liquid resources, non-liquid resources
				and transfers, medical expenses in excess of $35.00 monthly, shelter costs, and
				utility expenses.
D. MDHS must
				verify all other factors of eligibility it deems questionable and affect the
				household's eligibility and benefit level.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.5 - Certification Periods

Current through June 25, 2024
There will be a thirty-six (36) month certification period
				  for ESAP households.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.6 - Reporting Changes

Current through June 25, 2024
A. An interim
				contact form is mailed to every ESAP household on an annual basis.
Note
: The household will be under no obligation to respond if
				there have been no changes in circumstances and the household wishes to
				continue to receive SNAP benefits.
B. The Interim Contact Form is used to report
				changes to MDHS.
C. ESAP households
				are required to report changes in their circumstances by the
				10th of the month following the month in which the
				change occurred.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 28 - Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) › Rule 18-14-28.7 - Fair Hearings

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS provides
				SNAP applicants and/or recipients an opportunity to appeal adverse
				administrative decisions and provide supporting documentation challenging the
				adverse or noncompliant action. Please refer to Title 18 of the Administrative
				Code, Part 23, Programmatic Administrative Agency Appeal Hearing Policy,
				Chapter 3.
B. Fair hearings will be
				conducted by telephone with no limit placed on the number of representatives in
				attendance.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.1 - General

Current through June 25, 2024
MSCAP is a demonstration project and a cooperative effort
				  between MDHS, FNS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to streamline
				  the application procedures for individuals who are receiving Supplemental
				  Security Income (SSI) benefits and choose to apply for SNAP
				  benefits.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.2 - Eligibility Criteria

Current through June 25, 2024
A. To be determined
				MSCAP eligible, an individual must meet
all
of the following
				requirements:
1. Must be SSI eligible and
				receiving the maximum SSI benefit or SSI and any other combined form of
				unearned income (such as SSA benefits, Veteran's benefits, interest income,
				cash gifts, etc.) which meets the maximum Federal SSI benefit level.
2. Must not have any earned income at the
				time of application for MSCAP. If an ongoing MSCAP participant becomes
				employed, the individual is allowed up to three (3) consecutive months of
				earnings before the individual loses MSCAP eligibility and is referred to the
				regular SNAP. There is no limit to the number of times this exclusion may be
				applied to any MSCAP participant.
3. Must live alone or purchase and prepare
				meals separately if living with others.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.3 - Application

Current through June 25, 2024
A. An individual will apply for MSCAP through
				the SSA office or the local county MDHS office.
B. The MSCAP Unit in State Office will handle
				processing of MSCAP cases that are identified as MSCAP mandatory, or if an
				individual is eligible to opt out but chooses to participate in
				MSCAP.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.4 - SSA Procedures

Current through June 25, 2024
SSA will screen an applicant for SSI for MSCAP eligibility
				  during the intake process.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.5 - Verification

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MSCAP verification requirements will be
				fulfilled through the use of the SDX data received under SSI
				regulations.
B. Any household that
				meets the verification criteria for the SSI program will be considered to have
				met the verification criteria for MSCAP eligibility.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.6 - Eligibility to Opt Out of MSCAP

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Individuals who
				meet the eligibility requirements for MSCAP may participate in the regular SNAP
				instead of MSCAP if they can verify one or more of the following:
1. Out-of-pocket medical expenses exceed a
				monthly average of $35.00;
2.
				Shelter and utility expenses exceed a monthly average over the MSCAP high
				shelter standard; or
3. Eligibility
				for a legally obligated child support deduction.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.7 - Standard Benefit Amount

Current through June 25, 2024
A. The MSCAP
				participant will receive a standard SNAP benefit amount based on the monthly
				representative income consistent with the SSI or SSI/SSA federal benefit rate
				and the appropriate standard shelter deduction.
B. MSCAP eligibility and benefit levels are
				automatically determined based on household information transferred from the
				SDX or from information reported by the client on the MSCAP
				application.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.8 - Certification Period

Current through June 25, 2024
All MSCAP households are assigned a thirty-six (36) month
				  certification period at the time of approval.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.9 - Initial Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
A. SSI recipients
				will begin receiving SNAP benefits the month following notification of approval
				for SSI.
B. When the individual is
				already an SSI recipient, SNAP benefits begin the month following the date of
				the application.
C. There are no
				expedited SNAP services for MSCAP.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.10 - Outreach

Current through June 25, 2024
The MSCAP Unit will receive information from SSA regarding
				  persons in the state who meet MSCAP criteria and are not currently receiving
				  SNAP benefits.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 29 - Mississippi Combined Application Project (MSCAP) › Rule 18-14-29.11 - Reporting Changes

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MSCAP recipients
				are required to report changes through the proper SSI change reporting
				mechanism.
B. No contact is
				required with the local county MDHS office. However, there will be times when
				changes are reported directly to the MDHS state or local office, such as
				changes in household size, address, phone number, or shelter/utility expense.
				When this occurs, the change must be accepted, but MSCAP recipients will also
				be referred to SSA so the change can be properly documented in the SSA computer
				system.
7 U.S.C.
				  2026; MS
				  Waiver
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.1 - General

Current through June 25, 2024
A. A household's eligibility will be
				determined for the entire month of the application date and that month's
				circumstances will be considered.
B. Eligibility for recertification will be
				determined based on circumstances anticipated for the certification period
				starting the month following the expiration of the current certification
				period.
C.
Exception
:
				Residents of institutions who apply prior to their release will have
				eligibility determined the month of their release date.
D. A household's benefit level will depend on
				the date of application and be effective from the date of
				application.
E. The level of
				benefits for recertification cases will be based on the same anticipated
				circumstances.
F.
Exception
: Residents of institutions who apply prior to their
				release will receive benefits on the date of the month of their
				release.
G. Benefits will be
				prorated using a standard 30-day calendar/fiscal month. Here a household
				applying on the 31st of a month will be treated as
				though it applied on the 30th of the
				month.
7 CFR §
											273.10(a)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.2 - Anticipated Changes

Current through June 25, 2024
A. A household may
				be eligible for the month of application, but not eligible for the subsequent
				month due to anticipated changes in circumstances.
B. A household's benefit amount may vary
				month to month based on changes anticipated at the time of
				certification.
7 CFR §
											273.10(a)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.3 - Determining Resources

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Available
				resources at the time of the household's interview will be used to determine
				the household's eligibility.
B.
				Nonrecurring lump sum payments will be counted as a resource starting in the
				month received and will not be counted as income.
7 CFR §
											273.10(b) and (c)(2)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.4 - Anticipating Income

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS will count
				the income already received by the household and income that is reasonably
				anticipated to be received during the remainder of the certification
				period.
B. Anticipated income will
				only be counted if there is reasonable certainty regarding the month in which
				the payment will be received and in what amount.
C. If the receipt of income is reasonably
				certain, but the monthly amount may vary, the household may elect to income
				average.
D. Income received during
				the past 30 days will be used to indicate income that will be available to the
				household during the certification period unless income fluctuates.
E. If income fluctuates to the degree that a
				30 day time period alone will not provide an accurate representation of
				anticipated income, then the household may use a longer period of time to
				provide a more accurate indication of anticipated fluctuations in future
				income.
F. If the income fluctuates
				seasonally, then it could be appropriate to use the most recent season
				comparable to the certification period rather than the last 30 days.
7 CFR §
											273.10(c)(1)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.5 - Income Only in Month Received

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Income
				anticipated during the certification period will only be counted in the month
				that it is expected to be received unless the income is averaged.
B. Advances on wages will count as income in
				the month received only if reasonably anticipated.
7 CFR §
											273.10(c)(2)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.6 - Income Averaging

Current through June 25, 2024
A. The household's
				anticipation of income fluctuations during the certification period will be
				used when averaging income.
B. An
				average must be recalculated at recertification and in response to changes in
				circumstances related to income.
C.
				By contract or self-employment households which derive their annual income in a
				period of time shorter than one year will have that income averaged over a
				12-month period provided the income form the contract is not received on an
				hourly or piecework basis.
D.
				Earned and unearned educational income (after allowable exclusions) will be
				averaged over a period that it is intended to cover.
7 CFR §
											273.10(c)(3)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.7 - Disallowed Expenses

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Any expense
				covered by educational income (in whole or part) which has been excluded is not
				deductible.
B. A dependent care
				expense that is reimbursed or paid by the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills
				Training (JOBS) program under title IV-F of the Social Security Act or the
				Transitional Child Care (TCC) program is not deductible.
C. A utility expense that is reimbursed or
				paid by an excluded payment, including HUD or FHA utility reimbursements, is
				not deductible.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(1)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.8 - Billed Expenses

Current through June 25, 2024
A deduction will only be allowed in the month the expense is
				  billed or otherwise becomes due, regardless of when the household intends to
				  pay the expense.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(2)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.9 - Averaging Expenses

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Households may
				elect to have expenses averaged.
B.
				Households may elect to have expenses that are billed less often than monthly
				averaged over the timeline between scheduled billings.
C. Households may elect to have one-time only
				expenses averaged over the entire certification period in which
				billed.
D. Households reporting
				one-time only medical expenses during their certification period may elect to
				have a one-time deduction or to have the expense averaged over the remaining
				months of the certification period.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(3)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.10 - Anticipating Expenses

Current through June 25, 2024
A. A household's
				expenses will be calculated based on the expenses the household expects to be
				billed for during the certification period.
B. Anticipation of the expenses will be based
				on the most recent month's bills unless the household is reasonably certain a
				change will occur.
C. MDHS will not
				average past expenses such as utility bills for the last several months as a
				method of anticipating utility costs for the certification period.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(4)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.11 - Conversion of Deductions

Current through June 25, 2024
The income conversion procedures also apply to expenses
				  billed on a weekly or biweekly basis.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(5)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.12 - Energy Assistance Payments

Current through June 25, 2024
Except for payments made under the Low Income Energy
				  Assistance Act of 1981, MDHS will prorate energy assistance payments over the
				  entire heating or cooling season the payment is intended to
				  cover.
7 CFR §
											273.10(d)(6)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.13 - Calculating Net Income and Benefit Levels

Current through June 25, 2024
A. In
				determining net income, MDHS will:
1. Add the
				gross monthly earned and unearned income of all household members minus the
				income exclusions to determine the household's total gross income.
2. Multiply the total gross earned income by
				20 percent and subtract that amount to determine the net monthly earned
				income.
3. Add to net monthly
				earned income the total average monthly unearned income of all household
				members, minus exclusions.
4.
				Subtract the standard deduction.
5.
				If the household is entitled to a medical deduction, subtract the portion that
				exceeds $35.
6. Subtract allowable
				monthly dependent care expenses, if any.
7. Subtract allowable monthly child support
				payments.
8. Subtract the homeless
				shelter deduction, if any.
9. Total
				the allowable shelter expenses to determine shelter costs unless a deduction
				has been subtracted. Subtract from total shelter costs 50 percent of the
				household's monthly income after all the deductions previously mentioned have
				been subtracted. The remaining amount, if any, is the excess shelter cost. If
				there is no excess shelter cost, then the net monthly income has been
				determined.
10. If there is excess
				shelter cost, subtract the excess shelter deduction.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.14 - Certification Periods

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Households must
				certify each eligible household for a set period of time for the longest
				possible period of time based on the predicted household
				circumstances.
B. Households with
				all adult members elderly or disabled will be certified for up to 24 months.
				(contact must be made with each household every 12 months).
C. Households residing on a reservation will
				be certified for up to 24 months.
D. Certification Period Length: Households
				should be assigned a certification period of at least 6 months unless the
				household contains an Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD) or whose
				circumstances are unstable. Households with zero net income or with an ABAWD
				member will have a certification period no less than 3 months. Households will
				be assigned a 1 or 2 month certification period when it appears that the
				household will become ineligible in the near future.
E. Shortening Certification Periods: MDHS may
				not end a certification period earlier than expected unless MDHS receives
				information that the household has become ineligible, has failed to comply with
				the required change reporting or due to receiving substantial lottery or
				gambling winnings. Loss of public assistance or a change in employment status
				is not sufficient in and of itself to shorten a certification period.
F. Lengthening Certification Periods: Once
				established, certification periods may be lengthened so long as the total
				months of certification do not exceed 24 months for all elderly or disabled
				households or 12 months for other households. Households must be advised in
				writing if MDHS extends a household's certification period.
7 CFR §
											273.10(f)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.15 - Certification Notices

Current through June 25, 2024
A. No later than 30
				days after the date of the initial application, applicants must receive either:
1. Notice of eligibility;
2. Notice of denial; or
3. Notice of pending status.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 30 - Determining Household Eligibility and Benefit Levels › Rule 18-14-30.16 - Reduction or Termination of Benefits Within the Certification Period

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Whenever an individual is determined to be
				ineligible within the certification period, MDHS must determine the eligibility
				or ineligibility of the remaining household members based on as much as
				possible the information in the case record.
B. Excluded for an IPV: If a household's
				benefits are reduced or terminated within the certification period because of
				one of the members being excluded due to disqualification for an intentional
				program violation, MDHS must notify the remaining household members of their
				eligibility and benefit levels at the same time the excluded member is notified
				of their disqualification. The household is not entitled to a notice of adverse
				action but may request a fair hearing unless a disqualification hearing has
				already been conducted on the claim.
C. Disqualified other than for an IPV: If a
				household's benefits are reduced or terminated within the certification period
				because of anything other than being disqualified for an IPV, MDHS must send a
				notice of adverse action which informs the household of the following:
1. The person(s) ineligibility;
2. The reason for the
				ineligibility;
3. The eligibility
				and benefit levels for the remaining household members; and
4. The action the household must take to end
				their ineligibility.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.1 - General

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS is responsible for timely and
				accurate issuance of benefits to certified eligible households.
B. SNAP benefits are issued only to certified
				eligible households via reusable plastic cards through an electronic benefit
				transfer (EBT) system.
7 CFR §
											274.1(a)-(b);
				  7 CFR §
										274.2(a)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.2 - Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

Current through June 25, 2024
A. EBT cards will
				be issued by first class mail.
B.
				Households access SNAP benefits using reusable plastic EBT cards to purchase
				eligible foods at an authorized point-of-sale (POS) such as any retailer or
				wholesaler authorized to accept SNAP benefits.
C. Authorized retailers include, but are not
				limited to, :
1. Farmer's markets
2. Group living arrangements
3. Homeless shelters
4. DAA treatment centers
5. Shelters for battered persons
6. Retail food stores
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.3 - PINs

Current through June 25, 2024
A. MDHS must allow SNAP households to select
				their PIN.
B. A PIN should be at
				least four digits in length.
C.
				PINs should only be known by the appropriate individual(s) and kept
				secure.
D. Authorized retailers
				must accept EBT cards from all states as long as the user has a valid
				PIN.
E. Software controls should be
				in place to limit the number of unsuccessful PIN attempts prior to a card being
				deactivated.
F. Replacement cards
				keep the same PIN unless the person believes their PIN is no longer
				private.
7 CFR §
											274.2(f);
				  7 CFR §
										274.6(b);
				  7 CFR §
											274.8
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.4 - Availability of Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Newly certified
				households, except for those given expedited service, must be given an
				opportunity to participate no later than 30 calendar days following the date of
				application.
B. Households entitled
				to expedited service must have benefits available no later than the
				7th calendar day following the date of
				application.
C. An opportunity to
				participate means that households must be provided with an active EBT card and
				PIN with benefits posted to the EBT account and available for
				spending.
7 CFR §
											274.2(b)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.5 - Benefit Issuance Schedule

Current through June 25, 2024
A. SNAP benefits
				are issued once a month.
B.
				Households should receive their benefits on the same date each month.
C. Each state determines their monthly
				benefit issuance schedule.
D.
				Households must be informed of the benefit issuance schedule.
7 CFR §
											274.2(d)
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.6 - Initial Month

Current through June 25, 2024
A. An initial month
				is the first month the household receives benefits for the first time or
				following any time the household was not approved.
B.
Exceptions
: Initial month
				for:
1. Migrant or seasonal farmworkers is the
				1st month the household is approved following a
				period of more than 30 days since the last approval.
2. Joint Supplemental Security Income and
				SNAP applications filed before the person's release from an institution is the
				month the person is released.
Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 14 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Policy Manual › Chapter 31 - Benefits › Rule 18-14-31.7 - Combined Benefits

Current through June 25, 2024
Combined benefits are issued when the:
A. Date of application is after the
				15th of the month;
B. The household is not processed for
				expedited service; and
C. The
				household is eligible to receive benefits the initial month and the following
				month.
7 CFR §
											273.2(g)(2);
				  7 CFR §
										273.10(a);
				  7 CFR §
											274.2(c)