department of health and social services

Division of Social Services

final

ORDER

2000.6 Supplemental Applications

NATURE OF THE PROCEEDINGS:

Delaware Health and Social Services (“Department”) / Division of Social Services initiated proceedings to amend the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding the Cash Assistance and Food Stamp Programs. The Department’s proceedings to amend its regulations were initiated pursuant to 29 Delaware Code Section 10113 and its authority as prescribed by 31 Delaware Code Section 512.

NATURE OF THE EXEMPT REGULATION:

Citations

Summary of Proposed Changes

The purpose of this amendment is to update the policy at DSSM 2000.6, Supplemental Applications. DSS is not changing existing policies or procedures, but clarifying the DSSM to revise a misleading statement about when to add new individuals to existing households. The changes for clarification and process purposes include removing language and correcting grammatical errors.

FINDINGS OF FACT:

The Department finds that these changes are exempt from the procedural requirements of the Administrative Procedures Act (Title 29 Chapter 101).

THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED, that the proposed revision regarding clarification changes to the policies of the Cash Assistance and Food Stamp Programs be adopted informally as an exempt regulation and shall become effective March 10, 2006.

Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary, DHSS, 2/14/06

DSS EXEMPT REGULATION #06-07

REVISIONS:

2000.6 Supplemental Applications

For cash assistance cases in which an individual is being added to an existing open assistance unit, add the person to the unit effective the date that the new member was reported to DSS. A separate face-to-face interview will not be required, but when adding the individual review eligibility factors such as income, resources, and relationship. DSS will verify that the individual resides in the home. DSS will add the individual to the most recent application with a note listing the date of report. A prorated supplemental cash assistance benefit will be issued effective the date the person was added to the assistance unit.

When an individual is being opened in a new assistance unit, the payee will need to add that person to the most recent application. In this case, the signature of the payee on the application will be required. DSS will review the application for eligibility. A prorated cash assistance benefit will be issued from the date the individual was opened.

Adding newborns to the assistance unit is effective the date of the child's birth whether or not the payee needs to resign the most recent application.

Example: Mrs. Jones is open in an A1 case with her two children. On 5/15, she reports that she had a baby born on 5/14. DSS will add the baby to the most recent application and request verification for eligibility. The baby is added to her A1 case effective 5/14. A TANF supplement is issued from 5/14 - 5/31. The Food Stamp supplement is issued from 5/1 - 5/31.

Example: Mrs. Jones is open in an A1 case with two of her children. On 6/13, she reports that her 14 year old son is no longer living with his father but living with her. DSS will add her son to the most recent application and review for eligibility. Her son is added to the TANF assistance unit and the Food Stamp household effective the date of report which is 6/13. A TANF supplemental benefit is issued from 6/13 - 6/30. The Food Stamp supplement is issued from 6/1 - 6/30.

Example: Mrs. Jones and her children are open in an A1 case. On 3/23, she reports that her niece is now living with her. DSS will set up an A2 case for her niece with Mrs. Jones as payee. DSS will add the niece to the most recent application. DSS will need to review eligibility factors and have Mrs. Jones resign the application. The effective date of the cash assistance benefit is when the eligibility factors have been reviewed, verified, and the application has been signed by Mrs. Jones.

For Food Stamps, add the individual to the household effective the date first of the month in which the new household member was reported to DSS. However, a A full supplement is issued for the month a new household member is added to the food stamps. Food Stamp supplements cannot be prorated during a certification period. DSS will need to verify eligibility factors even though a new application and signature by the payee is not required.