reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-1 and FS-100's › 100 - INTRODUCTION; GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/NONFINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS › Section 144-301-100-FS 111-4 - Social Security Numbers

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Each household member must
						furnish a Social Security Number or provide proof of application for one before
						certification. If a member has more than one Social Security Number, all
						numbers must be provided.
If the household is unable to provide proof of
						application for a Social Security number (SSN) for a newborn, the household
						must provide the SSN or proof of application at its next recertification or
						within 6 months following the month the baby is born, whichever is later. If
						the household is unable to provide a SSN or proof of application for SSN at its
						next recertification within 6 months following the baby's birth, good cause
						shall be determined.
Responsibility
FAILURE TO COMPLY:
The household shall be
						advised that refusal or failure to provide a Social Security Number will result
						in disqualification of the non-complying member, unless good cause exists. See
						FS 444-4 for disqualification procedures.
GOOD CAUSE:
Good cause exists if a "good
						faith" effort is being made by the household to fulfill its responsibility and
						cooperate with the Social Security Office and the agency. Individuals with good
						cause for failure to comply shall be allowed to participate for an additional
						month. A good cause determination must be made each month thereafter.
ENDING DISQUALIFICATION FOR FAILURE TO
						COMPLY
: A disqualified individual may become eligible by providing a
						Social Security Number or proof of application.
VERIFICATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY
						NUMBER
:
Social Security Numbers shall be verified through
						computer cross matching with SSA.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-1 and FS-100's › 100 - INTRODUCTION; GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/NONFINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS › Section 144-301-100-FS 111-6 - Job Quit and Voluntary Reduction in Work Effort

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
DISQUALIFICATION PROVISIONS
A.
Disqualifying Action
When any of the following individuals has voluntarily and
						without good cause quit a job of 20 hours or more per week or that provided
						weekly earnings at least equivalent to the state or federal minimum wage
						(whichever is higher) multiplied by 20 hours or voluntarily and without good
						cause reduced their work effort (and, after the reduction, are working less
						than 30 hours a week), that individual is not qualified to receive SNAP:
(1) A household member not exempt from work
					 registration (See Section
					 111-5) ;
(2) A household member who is only exempt
					 from work registration (See Section
					 111-5) based on being
					 subject to and complying with a TANF work requirement; or
(3) A household member who is only exempt
					 from work registration (See Section
					 111-5) based on working
					 an average of thirty or more hours per week or, if working fewer than 30 hours
					 is earning an average of the weekly equivalent of thirty hours at the federal
					 hourly minimum wage.
For applicant households, the job quit and voluntary
						reduction in work effort disqualification applies only if the violation
						occurred within 60 days prior to the application date.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-1 and FS-100's › 100 - INTRODUCTION; GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/NONFINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS › Section 144-301-100-FS 111-7 - Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL
					 RULE
A. An Able-Bodied Adult Without
					 Dependents (ABAWD) is an individual who is-
(1) at least 18 years of age, and
(2) in a SNAP household with no members under
					 the age of eighteen (18).
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-1 and FS-100's › 100 - INTRODUCTION; GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS/NONFINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY FACTORS › Section 144-301-100-FS 111-8 - DISQUALIFICATION FOR CHILD SUPPORT NONCOMPLIANCE (REPEALED)

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-1 - Filing an Application

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
All households have the right to file an application for
						SNAP benefits. Households are encouraged to file the application the same day
						they express an interest in applying. SNAP benefits will be calculated from the
						date of application (Section
						999-1)
						.
2.
REQUESTS
A. To start the application process, the
					 requesting household must file an application, and at minimum:
(1) Provide the applicant's name and address;
					 and
NOTE:
The address need not be a specific
						street address; i.e., an individual experiencing homelessness may simply list a
						town or region of the state.
(2) sign the application.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-2 - Expedited Service

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
The following households, including residents of centers
						for the treatment of Substance Use Disorders and residents of group living
						arrangements, are entitled to expedited services:
A. households with gross monthly income less
					 than $150.00, and with liquid assets of $100.00 or less;
B. households whose combined monthly gross
					 income and liquid resources are less than the household's monthly rent/mortgage
					 and the appropriate standard utility allowance;
C. households of migrant farmworkers who meet
					 the definition of "destitute."
"Destitute" means that the household's only income for
						the month of application was received prior to the date of application and the
						income was from a source which has been terminated; or the household's only
						income for the month of application is from a new source of income of more than
						$25.00 will not be received by the 10th day after the date of
						application.
Migrant farmworker households who meet this definition of
						"destitute" shall have their eligibility and benefit level calculated for the
						month of application by considering only income which is received between the
						first of the month and the date of application.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-3 - Applicant/Authorized Representative

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Applicant
- The person in whose name the application
					 is made and in whose name the FS coupons will be mailed.
2.
Authorized
					 Representative
- A responsible non-household member, designated by
					 the head of the household, or another responsible adult member of the
					 household, to act on behalf of the participating household.
NOTE:
With the
						exception of residents of drug and alcohol treatment centers, an authorized
						representative must be designated in writing by a responsible household
						member.
An authorized representative must be aware of relevant
						household circumstances.
WHO CANNOT BE AN AUTHORIZED
						REPRESENTATIVE
1. State
					 employees involved in the certification and/or issuance process;
2. retailers who are authorized to accept FS
					 coupons;
3. individuals
					 disqualified for an intentional program violation during their disqualification
					 period, unless no one else is available.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-4 - Interview Process

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
The person interviewed may be any responsible household
						member or an authorized representative.
2.
FOR APPLICATION AND ANNUAL
					 ELIGIBILITY REVIEW
Households must have telephone interviews prior to
						certification, except for the following circumstances:
A. The Department shall process all
					 applications and annual eligibility reviews without an interview until March
					 31, 2023 unless -
(1) the household requests
					 an interview,
(2) there is unclear
					 information on the application or renewal form, or
(3) the household would be determined to be
					 ineligible based on information provided on the application or renewal
					 form.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-5 - Verification and Documentation

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL
					 RULE
Certain financial and non-financial information must be
						verified to ensure accuracy.
EXCEPTION:
Categorically Eligible Households
						(Section 444-8)
						.
2.
MANDATORY
					 ITEMS
Any of the following items that are reported by the
						household, must be verified:
A. Alien
					 Status (Section
					 111-2),
B. Identity (Section
					 111-3),
C. Maine Residency (Section
					 111-3),
D. Social Security Number (Section
					 111-4),
E. Current Earned and Unearned Income or lack
					 thereof (Section
					 555-2 and
					 555-3),
F. Utility Expenses if the household is not
					 eligible for a Standard Utility Allowance (Section
					 555-5),
G. Deductible Medical Expenses (Section
					 555-5),
H. Deductible Legally Obligated Child Support
					 Payments (Section
					 555-5),
I. Dependent Care Expenses (Section
					 555-5), and
J. Meeting the definition of "Individuals
					 with Disabilities" (Section
					 999-1)
					 .
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-200's › 200 - APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 144-301-200-FS 222-7 - Approval/Denial Procedures

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
After processing an application, the Department
						shall-
1. send a Notice of Decision;
					 and
2. determine eligibility back
					 to the date of application (Section
					 999-1) or the date the
					 household takes the required action per the standards established in Section
					 222-6(3)(C).
A. If the household is eligible-
(1) The Department shall authorize
					 benefits.
(2) The certification
					 period is established per Sections
					 666-5 or
					 666-8.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-300's › 300 - ASSET ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS › Section 144-301-300-FS 333-1 - Maximum Allowable Assets

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL
					 RULE
All assets of all household members, and disqualified
						individuals are counted with the exceptions found in Section
						333-2. The value of
						assets, except for licensed vehicles, is the equity value (fair market value
						less encumbrances).
NOTE:
Fair market value is the price a
						property would bring on the open market, assuming an informed buyer will buy,
						but is not compelled to buy; and an informed seller will sell, but is not
						compelled to sell. "Fair market value" of real property may be established by
						either the testimony of competent real estate appraisers or town tax appraisal
						at 100% valuation rate, at the Department's option.
2.
MAXIMUM COUNTABLE ASSETS
					 ALLOWED
A. Households that qualify as
					 Categorically Eligible Households (Section
					 444-8) have no asset
					 limit.
B. Households that do not
					 qualify as Categorically Eligible Households and have no members age sixty or
					 over nor a member with disabilities (according to the definition of
					 "Individuals with Disabilities" (Section
					 999-1) provided in
					 these Rules) have a countable asset limit found in Section
					 999-3 Chart 9. These
					 households with countable assets exceeding this limit are not eligible for
					 federally funded SNAP.
C.
					 Households that do not qualify as Categorically Eligible Households but have a
					 member age sixty or over or a member with disabilities (according to the
					 definition of "Individuals with Disabilities" (Section
					 999-1) ) have a
					 countable asset limit found in Section
					 999-3 Chart 9. These
					 households with countable assets exceeding this limit are not eligible for
					 federally funded SNAP.
D.
					 Households that do not qualify as Categorically Eligible Households and would
					 be eligible for federally funded SNAP except that their countable assets exceed
					 the limit are eligible for state funded SNAP.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-300's › 300 - ASSET ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS › Section 144-301-300-FS 333-4 - Transfer of Assets

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Disqualify for up to one year
						households that have knowingly transferred assets for the purpose of qualifying
						for FS benefits.
Disqualification Applies If the Assets were Transferred
						in the three-month period prior to application.
OR
any time during the certification period.
Disqualification Does Not Apply If
assets transferred would not have otherwise affected
						eligibility.
assets were sold or traded at or near current market
						value.
transfers were made between members of the same
						household.
OR
transfers were made for a reason other than attempting
						to qualify for FS, such as placing funds in an irrevocable trust fund for a
						child's education.
The length of the disqualification period is based on the
						amount the assets would have exceeded the limit if the transfer had not
						occurred.
DISQUALIFICATION
						PERIODS
Use the following chart to determine the disqualification
						period.
Amount in Excess of Asset Limit
Disqualification Period (Months)
$ 0 to $ 249.99
1
$ 250 to $ 999.99
3
$1,000 to $2,999.99
6
$3,000 to $4,999.99
9
$5,000 or more
12
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-2 - Self-employment, Migrant Farm Workers and Contract Employees

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
SELF-EMPLOYMENT
A.
GENERAL
					 RULE
(1) Self-employment income is
					 averaged over a twelve-month period when it represents the household's largest
					 income source anticipated for the 12-month period. This applies even when it is
					 received in a shorter period of time.
(2) Seasonal self-employment income which is
					 not the household's largest income source anticipated for the 12-month period
					 is averaged over the season.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-3 - Boarders and Foster Care Payments

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Foster care individuals (both
						children and adults) placed in the home of relatives (including parents and
						siblings) or other individuals or families by a federal, state, or local
						governmental foster care program shall be considered boarders. These foster
						care boarders and all other boarders are ineligible to participate independent
						of the household with whom they live. Do not count income and assets of a
						boarder, foster children and foster adults to determine eligibility of a
						household, unless the household chooses to include him/her as a member.
NOTE: When the household chooses not to include the
						foster person, do not include foster care payments even though they go direct
						to the provider household.
EXCEPTION: Consider "boarders" paying less than the
						Thrifty Food Plan (FS 999-3 Chart 5) as household members (FS 111-1).
DETERMINING INCOME FROM BOARDERS
- Include
						all direct payments to the household, including contributions for meals, room
						and shelter.
EXCEPTION: Do not count shelter expenses paid directly to
						someone outside the household as income or deductions to the household. Do not
						count any portion of foster care payments unless the foster children or foster
						adults are included as members.
COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH
						BOARDERS WILL BE:
1. actual
					 verified cost of providing room and meals.
NOTE: Verify these expenses only if questionable.
Count income from boarders, less the cost of doing
						business, as earned income to the household (FS 555-2).
NOTE: If room
and
board are being
						provided, use both the "Income From Roomers" policy at FS 444-2 and the boarder
						policy described here to determine room and board cost of doing
						business.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-4 - Disqualified Members

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
Household members disqualified for the following reasons
						are not included for benefits:
A.
					 Intentional program violation (IPV) of the SNAP Program (Section
					 777-2)
B. Work registration noncompliance (non-head
					 of household) (Section
					 111-5)
C. Job quit or voluntary reduction in work
					 effort (Section
					 111-6)
D. Fleeing Felon (as defined in Section
					 999-1)
E. Violation of probation or parole imposed
					 under a federal or state law (ineligible while in violation of the probation or
					 parole condition)
F. Certain felons
					 convicted of violent crimes and sexual assault if all of the following are
					 true:
(1) They were convicted as an adult in
					 any jurisdiction under federal or state law of:
(a) aggravated sexual abuse under
					 18 United States Code,
					 Section 2241,
(b) murder under
					 18 United States Code,
					 Section 1111,
(c) an offense under 18 United States Code,
					 Chapter 110,
(d) a federal or state
					 offense involving sexual assault, as defined in Section
					 40002(a)
					 of the federal Violence Against Women Act of 1994,
					 42 United States Code,
					 Section 13925(a),
					 or
(e) an offense under a law of
					 this State that is substantially similar to a federal offense described in this
					 subsection;
(2) The
					 conviction is for conduct that occurred after February 7, 2014; and
(3) The individual is not in compliance with
					 the terms of their sentence, parole or probation or is a fleeing
					 felon.
G. Alien status
					 (Section 111-2)
H. Inability or unwillingness to provide
					 documentation of the alien's immigration status
I.  Social security number noncompliance
					 (Section 111-4)
J. An intentional program violation of
					 another federal, state, or local welfare assistance program requirement
					 (Section 444-10)
K. Time limited eligibility for able-bodied
					 adults without dependents, ABAWD status (Section
					 1117)
L. Student status (Section
					 444-7)
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-6 - Shelters for Battered Persons

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Residents of Shelters for
						Battered Persons may be eligible for benefits.
"The
Food and Nutrition Act of 2008
, as
						amended ("the Act"), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
						regulations allow certain flexibilities for victims of domestic violence who
						are fleeing their abuser. These include:
Section
						  3(n)(5)
						  of the Act: Conferring separate household status to temporary residents of
						  shelters for battered persons;
											Section
						  3(k) of
						  the Act: Allowing those residents to use their SNAP benefits to purchase food
						  from the shelter; and 7 CFR
						  273.3(a): Allowing duplicate
						  participation of an individual who is a resident of a shelter for battered
						  persons, and was a member of a household containing the person who had abused
						  him or her."
											(USDA Guidance: Men Who are Residents of Shelters
						  for Battered Women and Children, Dated December 18, 2014)
Food and Nutrition Services, "(FNS) finds that all
						provisions related to persons fleeing domestic violence shall be interpreted to
						apply to all victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender or sex." (USDA
						Guidance:
Men Who are Residents of Shelters for Battered Women and
						Children
, Dated December 18, 2014)
An eligible resident who has authorized the shelter
						management to act as authorized representative can use the benefits to purchase
						meals prepared at the shelter; the shelter management can then act as
						authorized representative to purchase food with the benefits.
SPECIAL PROCEDURES
1. Persons who have left a participating
					 household containing the person who abused them may receive an
additional
allotment as a separate household once in a
					 calendar month.
2. Certify persons
					 at the shelter as a separate household on the basis of
their
income and assets only.
NOTE: Adjust the FS allotment of the former household
						based on reduced household size within the prescribed rules for adverse
						action.
3. If the shelter
					 charges for room and board, the room expense is an allowable rent expense but
					 the board expense is not. If the shelter does not provide an itemized bill, the
					 allowable rent will be determined by subtracting the Thrifty Food Plan (FS
					 999-3 Chart 5) for the household size, from the total room and board
					 expense.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-8 - Categorically Eligible Households

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
RECEIPT OF
					 SSI
Households in which all members receive SSI will be
						considered categorically eligible for SNAP. Do not include as members:
						ineligible aliens, ineligible students or residents of nonexempt
						institutions.
2.
RECEIPT OF TANF-FUNDED SERVICE OR BENEFIT
Subject to the "EXCEPTIONS" set out in Subparagraph C,
						below, all households are categorically eligible for SNAP if their gross income
						is at or below the limit detailed in Section
						999-3 Chart 4 and at
						least one member of the household receives a TANF funded service or
						benefit.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Resource Guide for Families
(Resource Guide) is a TANF
						funded service distributed to applicants at or below the limit detailed in
						Section 999-3 Chart 4. It
						includes general information about employment, nutrition, housing, utilities,
						child care, legal and other supports in Maine.
A.
Narrow Categorical
					 Eligibility
All households, with gross income at or below the limit
						detailed in Section
						999-3 Chart 4, that
						have a child under the age of 18, or 18 and a full time high school student,
						who lives with a parent or caretaker relative are eligible for the Resource
						Guide.
B.
Broad-Based
					 Categorical Eligibility
All households with gross income that is at or below the
						limit detailed in Section
						999-3 Chart 4 that
do not include
a child under the age of 18, or 18 and a full time
						high school student, are eligible for the Resource Guide.
C.
EXCEPTIONS
:
The households described in Subparagraphs A and B, above,
						are
not
categorically eligible for SNAP if:
(1) the entire household is institutionalized
					 in a nonexempt facility,
(2) a
					 member of the household is presently disqualified for an Intentional Program
					 Violation,
(3) the household fails
					 to complete annual eligibility review requirements, or
(4) the head of household fails to comply
					 with work requirements, including job quit (Section
					 111-6) .
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-9 - Strikers

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- A household with a striking
						member is ineligible, unless it was eligible on the day prior to the strike.
						Households receiving benefits on the day prior to the strike cannot receive an
						increase in benefits due to the decreased income of a striking member.
Pre-strike income is determined by comparing the
						striker's income prior to the strike to his current income, and then adding
						whichever is more to the rest of the household's current income. The earnings
						deduction is allowable.
NOTE:
Vehicles normally exempt from equity
						consideration retain the exempt status during the strike.
Striking members of eligible households are subject to
						work requirements. Those members who are exempt from work registration are not
						considered strikers.
A striker is anyone involved in a strike or concerted
						stoppage, slowdown, or interruption of work by employees.
Some examples of non-strikers are:
1. Employees unable to work as a result of
					 other employees striking;
2.
					 employees whose place of employment is closed by an employer;
3. employees who are
not
					 part
of the
unit on strike
, but do not
					 want to cross a picket line due to fear of injury or death.
In all cases of a strike where permanent replacements
						have been hired by the company, the persons whose jobs are replaced, are no
						longer considered strikers. They must be able to return to the
same
						job
they left when the strike began to be considered a strike.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-10 - Non-Compliance with Federal, State, or Local Welfare Assistance Program Requirements

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
A. Disqualifications are based on the policy
					 that was in place at the time of the infraction.
(1) As of December 30, 2021 an individual
					 disqualified for Intentional Program Violation (IPV) of another means-tested
					 federal, state, or local welfare public assistance program (such as but not
					 limited to TANF, SSI, GA, FDPIR - see Section
					 999-1 page 3 for
					 additional information) is not eligible for SNAP. Individuals who have only
					 been sanctioned or disqualified from MaineCare (Medicaid) are not automatically
					 disqualified from SNAP.
(2)
					 Infractions committed prior to December 30, 2021 that would result in a
					 disqualification from SNAP based on the policy in place at that time will
					 continue to result in disqualification even if the disqualification begins
					 after or continues beyond December 30, 2021 or the infraction was not
					 substantiated or even discovered until after December 30, 2021.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-11 - Mix-funded Households

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
Households may contain some individuals who are eligible
						for federally-funded SNAP and some who are only eligible for state-funded
						SNAP.
2.
ATTRIBUTION
					 OF ASSETS, INCOME AND EXPENSES
A.
					 Income is counted for the individual in whose name it is received.
EXCEPTION:
TANF income is prorated for all
						household members receiving TANF benefits.
B. Shelter expenses for the household are
					 counted for the individual in whose name the expense is billed.
NOTE:
If the bill is paid by another
						household member on a regular basis, the expenses will be attributed to the
						member paying the bill.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-400's › 400 - HOUSEHOLDS WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES › Section 144-301-400-FS 444-12 - Lottery and Gambling Winnings

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Lottery and gambling winnings of $5,000 or more, actually
						received (after any offsets to the winnings required by law) by any
						individual(s) in the benefit household within one calendar month;
or
Gross Lottery or gambling winnings, by any individual(s)
						in a single game, equal to or in excess of the figure found in FS 999-3 Chart 9
						for Non-Categorical Households with an Aged or Disabled Member, shall
						disqualify the household from benefits until they reapply and financial
						eligibility guidelines set forth in Sections FS 333, 444 and 555 are met. When
						winnings are shared by household members and non-household members, a prorated
						share will be counted for the household. That share is determined by dividing
						the total countable winnings by the total number of winners and multiplying
						that figure by the number of winners who are household
						members.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-1 - Treatment of Income

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
For purposes of determining eligibility and benefit level
						the income already received during the certification period and any income
						which can be reasonably anticipated during the remainder of the certification
						period is taken into account. If the amount of income anticipated or month of
						receipt is uncertain, that portion of the household's income which is uncertain
						is not counted. For example, a household anticipating income from a new source,
						such as a new job or pending TANF benefits, may not be sure of the timing or
						amount of the first payment. Such income is not anticipated unless there is
						reasonable certainly concerning the month in which it will be received and what
						the amount will be. When the exact amount is not known, only that portion of it
						which can be anticipated with reasonable certainty is considered as
						income.
NOTE:
For households with members who are
						funded by Federal and State funds, see Section
						44411.
The best estimate of income is based on the recipient's
						and the Department's reasonable expectations and knowledge of current, past and
						future circumstances. The best estimate of income, is based on the concepts of
						significant and non-significant income changes and the income averaging
						techniques described below.
The method of determining the best estimate
						of income must be clearly documented in the case record
.
2.
SIGNIFICANT INCOME
					 CHANGES
A. Significant income changes
					 are defined as changes in sources of income or in amounts greater than $125 per
					 month which are:
(1) expected to continue into
					 the future; or
(2) short term, but
					 will continue long enough to affect at least one allotment.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-2 - Earned Income

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Count all earned income from
						any source, excluding only those items listed under Exempt Income (FS
						555-4).
EARNED INCOME INCLUDES:
1.
Wages and Salaries
- Include
					 payments such as: gross earned income (before any payroll deductions),
					 garnished wages, tips, commissions, etc. Workfare assistance payments are
					 considered unearned income.
2.
Self-Employment
- Income derived from any self-employment activity
					 (FS 4442).
Types of self-employment may include:
a. Independent contractors, franchise
					 holders, owners/operators, farmers, people who produce and sell a product, and
					 service-type businesses;
b.
					 seasonal self-employment such as fishing, clamming, worm digging, logging,
					 etc.;
c. income from boarders
					 (FS444-3);
d. income from roomers
					 (FS 444-2);
e. ownership of rental
					 property if a household member is actively engaged in the management of the
					 property on an average of at least twenty hours per week. See FS 555-3 for
					 those households not actively engaged in property management.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-3 - Unearned Income

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
Countable unearned income includes, but is not limited
						to:
A.
Assistance Programs
-
The full amount of payments from Supplemental Security
						Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Parents as
						Scholars (PaS), or other means-tested assistance
(1) TANF or PaS payments which are diverted
					 to a third party are counted as income. See Section
					 555-4 for certain
					 exclusions.
(2) Assistance payments
					 from programs which require the performance of work without compensation other
					 than the assistance payment are considered unearned income.
(3) If a payment from SSI, TANF, PaS, General
					 Assistance (GA), or other means-tested assistance is reduced or ended due to
					 the sanctioning or disqualification of a household member due to non-compliance
					 with the program's requirements, the full benefit (as if the individual was not
					 sanctioned or disqualified) will be budgeted as unearned income. This amount
					 will continue to be budgeted-
(a) for the
					 duration of the disqualification if the household continues to receive the
					 benefits from the sanctioning or disqualifying program, or
(b) through the end of the month the
					 household ceases to receive benefits from the sanctioning or disqualifying
					 program if the sanction or disqualification is open ended (e.g. until the
					 individual complies) (e.g., if the other program's last benefit is issued in
					 December, no amount of that benefit is budgeted for January.).
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-4 - Excluded Income

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
All income is counted with the exception of income under
						the following categories:
1.
Loans
- All loans, except loans on which repayment is deferred
					 until completion of that member's education. (A statement signed by both
					 parties indicating the money is a loan is acceptable verification.) For
					 treatment of student loans see Section
					 444-7(2).
					 For repayment of home equity loans see allowable shelter costs, Section
					 555-5(7)(A)(1).
2.
Certain Vendor Payments
A. Money payments by a non-household member
					 which are not legally due the household and are paid directly to a third party
					 for a household's expense. For example, a relative pays the rent or an employer
					 pays the rent and it is not considered part of the individual's compensation by
					 the employer.
B. TANF vendor
					 payments made to a third party which are not normally included in the TANF
					 benefit or which are over and above the normal TANF payment (currently, Maine
					 does not restrict any part of TANF assistance to a vendor payment; therefore,
					 this exclusion does not apply to TANF in Maine).
C. Vendored assistance from state or local
					 programs which provide no cash assistance. This includes General Assistance
					 vendor payments made to a third party. All General Assistance payments must be
					 made in the form of a third party vendor payment, and are excluded under
					 provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act.
D. Court ordered vendor payments in lieu of a
					 direct payment.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-5 - Deductions

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
GENERAL RULE
Certain expenses are deducted from countable income.
						These expenses must be incurred by the household. They are only deductible if
						the service is provided by someone outside the household. Deductible expenses
						are determined prospectively. Only the deductions listed in this section are
						allowed.
2.
EARNED
					 INCOME DEDUCTION
20% of total gross earnings is deducted to allow for work
						related expenses such as taxes, retirement deductions, and
						transportation.
EXCEPTIONS:
the earned income deduction is
						not allowed for that portion of earned income:
A. earned under a work supplementation or
					 support program that is attributable to public assistance; or,
B. which the household failed to report in a
					 timely manner (when determining an over issuance).
NOTE:
Workfare assistance payments are
						considered unearned income and not subject to this deduction.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-6 - Calculating Eligibility and Monthly Benefit

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Determining Income and Applying Standards:
A.
Gross Income:
The household's total countable gross income must be at
						or below the gross income standards (Section
						999-3 Charts 2 - 4) to
						determine Categorical Eligibility, eligibility to be considered a separate
						household from an elderly individual or an individual with disabilities and/or
						eligibility for benefits. If the gross test is passed all other conditions must
						still be met.
B.
Determining Net Income:
If the household may be eligible after the gross income
						tests, this step-by-step procedure is used to calculate the net monthly
						income:
(1) Add all gross earned and
					 unearned income including legally obligated child support payments.
(2) Subtract 20% of earned income (Section
					 555-5) .
(3) Subtract legally obligated child support
					 payments.
(4) Subtract the Standard
					 Deduction (Sections
					 555-5 and
					 999-3 Chart
					 7).
(5) If the household contains a
					 member who is elderly or has a disability, subtract the Excess Medical
					 Deduction (Section
					 555-5) .
(6) Subtract dependent care
					 expenses.
(7) If applicable,
					 subtract homeless shelter deduction to determine adjusted net income (Sections
					 555-5 and
					 999-3 Chart
					 8).
(8) Subtract the Excess Shelter
					 Deduction
(a) Determine total shelter costs
					 (Section 555-5) .
(b) Subtract half the figure arrived at in 7,
					 above, from the shelter costs to determine the shelter deduction.
(c) Subtract the shelter deduction up to the
					 cap (Section
					 999-3 Chart 8) from the
					 adjusted net income to determine the net SNAP income (NSI) (Section
					 555-5) .
EXCEPTION:
There is no shelter cap for a
						household containing at least one individual who is elderly or has a
						disability.
If the NSI is less than $0, it is raised to $0.
C.
Net
					 Income Test:
Non-categorical households must have an NSI at or below
						the net income standard (Section
						9993 Chart
						1).
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-500's › 500 - INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS › Section 144-301-500-FS 555-7 - Proration Chart

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
Table of Percentages for
								  Proration
28-Day Month
29-Day Month
30-Day Month
31-Day Month
Day
Percent
Day
Percent
Day
Percent
Day
Percent
1
100.00
1
100.00
1
100.00
1
100.00
2
96.43
2
96.55
2
96.67
2
96.77
3
92.86
3
93.10
3
93.33
3
93.55
4
89.29
4
89.66
4
90.00
4
90.32
5
85.71
5
86.21
5
86.67
5
87.10
6
82.14
6
82.76
6
83.33
6
83.87
7
78.57
7
79.31
7
80.00
7
80.65
8
75.00
8
75.86
8
76.67
8
77.42
9
71.43
9
72.41
9
73.33
9
74.19
10
67.86
10
68.97
10
70.00
10
70.97
11
64.29
11
65.52
11
66.67
11
67.74
12
60.71
12
62.07
12
63.33
12
64.52
13
57.14
13
58.62
13
60.00
13
61.29
14
53.57
14
55.17
14
56.67
14
58.06
15
50.00
15
51.72
15
53.33
15
54.84
16
46.43
16
48.28
16
50.00
16
51.61
17
42.86
17
44.83
17
46.67
17
48.39
18
39.29
18
41.38
18
43.33
18
45.16
19
35.71
19
37.93
19
40.00
19
41.94
20
32.14
20
34.48
20
36.67
20
38.71
21
28.57
21
31.03
21
33.33
21
35.48
22
25.00
22
27.59
22
30.00
22
32.26
23
21.43
23
24.14
23
26.67
23
29.03
24
17.86
24
20.69
24
23.33
24
25.81
25
14.29
25
17.24
25
20.00
25
22.58
26
10.71
26
13.79
26
16.67
26
19.35
27
7.14
27
10.34
27
13.33
27
16.13
28
3.57
28
6.90
28
10.00
28
12.90
29
3.45
29
6.67
29
9.68
30
3.33
30
6.45
31
3.23
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-600's › 600 - CERTIFIED HOUSEHOLDS › Section 144-301-600-FS 666-6 - Changes During the Transitional Food Assistance (TFA) Period

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
If the household only receives TFA, and is not open for
						another assistance program, the household has no reporting requirements. If the
						household is open for other programs in addition to TFA, the household must
						continue to report all changes as required by those programs.
Since TFA benefits are frozen and cannot be altered
						during the TFA period, any changes acted upon for other programs will not
						impact the TFA benefit amount.
See
EXCEPTIONS
on previous
						page.
If a household experiences a decrease in income, an
						increase in expenses, or an increase in household size, the household's
						benefits could potentially be higher if the household stopped TFA and requested
						regular Food Supplement benefits. Because benefits are frozen during the TFA
						period, the household must reapply for regular Food Supplement benefits to have
						the household's benefit allotment amount changed.
Terminating Transitional Food Assistance
						(TFA)
TFA will automatically end under the following
						circumstances:
1. the household opens
					 for TANF cash;
2. the household
					 reapplies for regular Food Supplement benefits. See
Changes During the
					 Transitional Food Assistance (TFA) Period
above; or
3. the household fails to complete and submit
					 the review form during month five of the TFA benefit.
Code of Maine Rules › 10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › 144 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - GENERAL › Chapter 301 - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) RULES › FS-600's › 600 - CERTIFIED HOUSEHOLDS › Section 144-301-600-FS 666-7 - Mass Changes

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
GENERAL RULE
- Certain changes are initiated
						by the State or Federal government which may affect all or most of the
						caseload. These changes include, but are not limited to:
1. adjustments in the Thrifty Food
					 Plan.
2. adjustments in the
					 standard deduction.
3. adjustments
					 in the shelter/dependent care deduction.
4. adjustments in the income eligibility
					 standards.
5. periodic adjustments
					 to TANF or PaS payments.
Advance notice of adverse action is not required when a
						household's benefits are reduced or terminated as a result of a mass change.
						The household shall receive adequate notice not later than five days before
						benefits would normally be received.
*EXCEPTION
: Adverse actions resulting from
						computer to computer matching concerning mass changes to Federal benefits,
						other than Social Security and SSI, require an advance notice of 30
						days.