For general provisions, see 0008.06 (Implementing Changes - General Provisions).

Also see the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual for additional instructions for health care eligibility when cash assistance ends.


MFIP:
Notify the participant of any effect of a change by the 1st month proper notice can be given, but no later than the 2nd month after the month in which the county agency or Tribal Nation learned of the change. An overpayment or underpayment may occur even though you process a change within this time. See 0025.03 (Determining Incorrect Payment Amounts), 0025.09 (Correcting Underpayments), 0026 (Notices).

Determine overpayments when:

●	The unit does not report the change timely. See 0007 (Reporting).
	AND
●	The county agency or Tribal Nation would have been able to send proper notice if they had acted on the date the change occurred.

Whenever there is a change in a case involving a non custodial parent, MAXIS will notify the IV-D agency through the MAXIS/PRISM interface. See 0012.21.03 (Support From Non-Custodial Parents). MAXIS will report the following types of changes:

●	A parent enters or leaves the child's home.
●	The MFIP case is closed or reinstated.
●	Any change in income or MFIP benefit amount.
●	The family moves to another county.
●	The address or telephone number changes.

A person or unit that loses eligibility for MFIP may be eligible for other types of assistance:

●	GA for individuals. See 0013.15 (GA Bases of Eligibility).
●	SNAP. See TEMP Manual TE02.08.143 (SNAP When MFIP Is Closed).
●	Health care. See the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual.
●	MinnesotaCare. Inform people who are not eligible for MA that they may be eligible for MinnesotaCare. See the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual.
●	Transition Year Child Care services or Basic Sliding Fee Child Care services. See 0029.30 (Child Care Assistance), 0029.31 (Child Care Resource and Referral).

SNAP:
During the certification period, clients are required to report the changes listed in 0007.03.02 (Six-Month Reporting) and 0007.03.05 (Change Reporting). They may, however, report any change, even when they are not required to do so. When a client reports a change on weekends, holidays, or after hours, the date of the reported change will be the next business day.

Changes may also become known through a third party, a data match, or when a client is reporting a change for a different assistance program they are receiving or applying for.

All known changes must be documented in CASE/NOTEs within 10 calendar days of the reported change. In addition, depending on what change occurred, the change is either:

●	Acted on immediately during the certification period. See the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section below for more information on which changes require immediate action and what those actions are.
	OR
●	Acted on at the next review. See the “Changes that are Held Until the Next Review” section below for more information.

Changes that Require Immediate Action
The following types of changes require immediate action during the certification period. Act on the changes below within 10 days of when the change is reported or becomes known to the agency. See 0002.35 (Glossary: Inventory…) for the definition of “Known to the Agency.”

●	Changes where the information is verified upon receipt and the impact to the case is clear. Information that is verified upon receipt is information provided that is not questionable, the information is coming from the primary source, and no further information is needed to take action. This may include information that is verified for another assistance program. When the information is verified upon receipt, the impact to the case is clear and the change either: Decreases benefits or causes the case to be ineligible. Update the case the next available month, allowing for proper notice. OR Increases benefits or has no change to the benefits. Update the case the month following the month the information was verified upon receipt.
●	Changes which indicate that incorrect information was reported and used at the time of application or the last six-month review or recertification.
●	Changes that were required to be reported and the information is less than 60 days old. Only the specific changes listed in 0007.03.05 (Change Reporting) and 0007.03.02 (Six-Month Reporting) are reporting requirements during the certification period.
●	Changes based on information received from a prisoner or death match. Follow the procedures in TEMP Manual TE02.12.26 (Processing Death Matches for SNAP) and TEMP Manual TE02.12.27 (Processing Prisoner Matches for SNAP) to process these matches.
●	Changes in shelter expenses due to moving.

When the change meets one of the criteria in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action section” and is not verified upon receipt, send a request for verification using the Verification Request Form (DHS-2919)(PDF). Allow the unit 10-days to return verification. Note: This does not apply to processing Prisoner or Death matches. See TEMP Manual TE02.12.26 (Processing Death Matches for SNAP) and TEMP Manual TE02.12.27 (Processing Prisoner Matches for SNAP) to process these matches.

●

When the unit returns verification within the 10-day request period and the change: Decreases benefits or causes the case to be ineligible, update or close the case the next available month, allowing for 10-day notice. Increases benefits, update the case the month following the month the change was reported or became known.

●

When the unit does not return verification, after allowing 10-days, close the case the next available month, allowing for 10-day notice. Note: This does not apply to changes that are considered non-mandatory verifications, such as shelter expenses because of a move. See the guidance in the “Expense Changes” section for more information on how to process these changes. When the unit provides verification within 30 days of the case closure, the case can be reinstated and pro-rated based on the date the verification was provided. When verification is not provided within 30 days of the case closing, the unit will need to re-apply. See 0005.09.06 (When Not to Require Completion of an Application).

Changes that are Held Until the Next Review
For all other changes that do not meet the criteria in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section, the information is considered unclear. Unclear changes must be held until the unit’s next six-month review, recertification, or 12-month contact for those certified for 24 months, whichever comes first. Document the reported change in MAXIS CASE/NOTEs.

Voluntary Report of Changes
Units may voluntarily report changes they are not required to report during the certification period. When a unit voluntarily reports a change they are not required to report, identify if that change meets any of the criteria to act immediately during the certification period. When the change meets the criteria to act immediately during the certification period, follow the steps in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section to act on the change.

When the change does not meet any of the criteria to act immediately during the certification period, follow up on the information at the unit’s next six-month review, recertification, or 12-month contact for those certified for 24 months, whichever comes first.

When the change does not require immediate action during the certification period and the change increases the unit’s benefits, the unit must be informed they can voluntarily provide verification of a change to redetermine their benefits during the certification period. Informing the unit they can voluntarily provide verification may be verbal or in writing. Informing the unit in writing is not required. When informing the unit in writing that they can voluntarily provide verification of the change do not use the Verification Request Form (DHS-2919)(PDF) because this is not an official request for verification, since the change does not meet the criteria to act immediately during the certification period. Send the unit a different letter, such as a SPEC/MEMO in MAXIS.

When the unit voluntarily provides verification of a change that did not meet any of the criteria to act immediately during the certification period, still act on this change within 10 days of receiving verification. Update the case the month following the month verification was received.

Do not close or reduce benefits, however, if the unit does not provide verification of the change that does not require immediate action during the certification period. In these circumstances, do not act on the change during the certification period. Follow up on the change at the unit’s next renewal.

Future Changes
When a future change is reported or becomes known do not request verification if it does not yet meet any of the criteria in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section. Remind the unit of their reporting responsibilities during the certification period listed in 0007.03.02 (Six-Month Reporting) and 0007.03.05 (Change Reporting). Follow up on this information at the unit’s next six-month review, recertification or 12-month contact for those certified for 24 months, whichever comes first.

Multiple Changes Report at Once
When multiple changes are reported or become known at one time, look at each change individually to determine if it meets any of the criteria in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section or in “Changes that are Held Until the Next Review” section. Act accordingly and CASE/NOTE the details.

Income Changes
Follow the guidance in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” and “Changes that are Held Until the Next Review” sections to determine how to act on the known income change during the certification period.

In addition, when an income change is not expected to last more than the month it was reported in, do not request verification and do not update the case. Document the conversation with the client in CASE/NOTEs.

When the change is expected to last more than the month it was reported in, and the income change meets one of the criteria in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” section update the income following prospective SNAP budgeting policies. See 0022.03.01.03 (Prospective Budgeting – SNAP Provisions).

See 0017.15.33.03 (Self-Employment, Convert Inc. to Monthly Amt) for information about when the unit wants to switch their self-employment budgeting methods based on a change to their income.

Household Composition Changes
Follow the guidance in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” and “Changes that are Held Until the Next Review” sections to determine how to act on the known household composition change during the certification period.

Follow the provisions in 0008.06.07 (Adding a Person to the Unit – SNAP), 0008.06.09 (Removing a Person From the Unit), 0008.06.12 (Adding a Person's Income), 0008.06.15 (Removing or Recalculating Income) to add or remove a unit member from the case.

As a reminder, change reporters must report a change in unit composition during the certification period. Six-month reporters do not have to report a change in unit composition during the certification period. They do, however, need to report if the additional unit member’s income puts them over 130% FPG for the unit size that they were certified with. These reporting requirements must be considered when determining whether to act on the reported unit composition change immediately during the certification period or act at the unit’s next review.

Follow the provisions in TEMP Manual TE02.12.26 (Processing Death Matches for SNAP) and TEMP Manual TE02.12.27 (Processing Prisoner Matches for SNAP) to process death and prisoner matches.

Work Rules Exemption Changes
When a change becomes known during the certification period that no longer makes a client exempt from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules during the certification period, they must be screened for all exemptions again prior to coding them as a Time-limited SNAP Recipient (TLR). Re-screening during the certification period is not mandatory. When re-screening during the certification period is not possible, continue to code the client as exempt until their next recertification or 12-month contact for those certified 24 months, whichever comes first. When a client is re-screened during the certification period and no longer meets an exemption from the time-limited work rules and or general work rules, they are a TLR starting in the month the change was reported or became known. Update the case, give or send Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Work Rules Notice (DHS-8159) (PDF) and verbally explain the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules that they must follow.

When there is a change that would now make a client exempt from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules evaluate if it meets the criteria to act immediately during the certification period. When the change meets the criteria to act immediately during the certification period, update the exemption status change in the month the change was reported or became known or the month verification was received when verification is needed. When someone meets an exemption from the time-limited work rules and/or general work rules for part of the month, they are exempt for the entire month. When the change does not meet the criteria to act immediately during the certification period, hold acting on the change until the unit’s next renewal.

See 0028.06.12 (Who is Exempt from the SNAP General Work Rules), 0028.06.15 (Who is Exempt from the SNAP Time-limited Work Rules) and 0011.24. (Time-limited SNAP Recipients).

Time-limited SNAP Recipient (TLR) Changes
TLRs meeting the time-limited work rules are required to report when their work hours fall below 20 per week, averaged 80 per month. When a TLR that is meeting the time-limited work rules reports that their work hours have decreased, evaluate whether to start counting months towards their 3 in 36 month time-limit. See 0011.24 (Time-Limited SNAP Recipients).

TLRs are not required to report during the certification period that they are meeting the time-limited work rules or now meet an exemption from work rules. However, it is advantageous for them to report these changes. They also need to verify they are meeting the time-limited work rules for those months to not count towards the 3 in 36-month time limit. Inform the TLR that they can voluntarily provide verification that they are meeting the time-limited work rules to not count these months towards their 3 in 36-month time-limit. When a TLR verifies they are meeting the time-limited work rules, uncount the months towards the 3 in 36-month time-limit starting with the month they verified they were meeting the time-limited work rules. See 0011.24 (Time-limited SNAP Recipients).

Expense Changes
Follow the guidance in the “Changes that Require Immediate Action” and “Changes that are Held Until the Next Review” to determine how to act on the known expense changes during the certification period.

As a reminder, deductions are non-mandatory verifications. See 0010.18.02.03 (Non-Mandatory Verifications – SNAP). Do not close a SNAP case for failure to return verification of a non-mandatory verification.

When an expense change is verified upon receipt and the change:

●	Decreases benefits, update the case the next available month, allowing for proper notice.
●	Increases benefits or there is no change to the benefits, update the case the month following the month the change was reported or became known.

When an expense change is not verified upon receipt and requires immediate action during the certification period, request verification of the expense change using the Verification Request Form (DHS-2919)(PDF) and allow the unit 10-days to return verification.

When verification is received within 10-days and the change:

●	Decreases benefits, update the case the next available month, allowing for proper notice.
●	Increases benefits or there is no change to the benefits, update the case the month following the month the change was reported or became known.

When verification is not received within 10-days, remove any previous allowed expense as a deduction the next available month, allowing for 10-day notice. When the unit provides verification later, allow the expense as a deduction the month following the month verification was received.

When the change does not meet any of the criteria to act immediately during the certification period hold acting on the expense change until the unit’s next renewal. Leave the previously budgeted expense budgeted until that time.

Additional things to consider for acting on expense changes during the certification period include:

●	Shelter expense changes because of a move must always be acted on immediately during the certification period. For MAXIS instructions see TEMP Manual TE02.08.190 (STAT/SHEL Panel).
●	Utility and dependent care expenses do not need to be verified, unless questionable. See 0018.15.09 (Utility Deductions) and 0018.09 (Dependent Care Deduction).
●	Medical expense changes during the certification period do not need to be reported by either six-month or change reporters.
●	Court-ordered child support expense changes during the certification period are a reporting requirement for change reporters. They are not a reporting requirement for six-month reporters.

Lottery/Gambling
Both six-month and change reporters are required to report a Substantial Lottery or Gambling winning. For the definition of a Substantial Lottery or Gambling Winning, see 0002.65 (Glossary: Substantial…). Matches from the MN Lottery regarding a unit’s Substantial Lottery or Gambling winnings are considered verified upon receipt. See 0011.13 (Substantial Lottery or Gambling Winnings for more information on processing a case with a Substantial Lottery or Gambling winning.

Cash Ineligibility
When an MFIP case becomes ineligible, determine eligibility for SNAP with the information already provided by the unit. Do not require a new application when MFIP ends even though the unit may not have originally requested SNAP on the application. See 0005.09.06 (When Not to Require Completion of an Application), TEMP Manual TE02.08.143 (SNAP When MFIP Is Closed).

When MFIP or RCA closes and UHFS is also open, eligibility for UHFS no longer exists. These units become stand-alone SNAP units and are subject to all the provisions of the SNAP program. Add the MFIP or RCA members to the existing SNAP unit the 1st day of the month MFIP or RCA is closed. A new application is not required prior to adding the members to the unit. However, you may need to request additional information or verification from the unit, such as recent income or expense information. Request verification using the Verification Request Form (DHS-2919) (PDF). The unit has 10 days to provide the additional information or verification.

●

When the verification(s) is provided within 10 days, determine SNAP eligibility and issue SNAP benefits to the unit. When the unit fails to provide the requested information or verification, the unit is not eligible for stand-alone SNAP. When UHFS is open, close the UHFS case the next available month, allowing for proper notice. See TEMP Manual TE13.030 (Food Support Uncle Harry Tip Sheet) for procedural information.

When a unit becomes ineligible for MSA, GA, or RCA, do not terminate SNAP unless the unit is ineligible for SNAP as well. SNAP benefits will need to be redetermined without including the MSA, GA, or RCA benefits in the SNAP budget.

Overpayments
When the unit does not report a required change timely and/or the agency did not act on a change that is required to be acted on during the certification period timely, overpayments will need to be assessed. This includes unclear information that was held until the unit’s next six-month review, recertification or 12-month contact for those certified for 24 months and at that time it is discovered that the change should have been acted on immediately during the certification period. See 0025.03 (Determining Incorrect Payment Amounts).


MSA:
If ineligibility will last only 1 month, suspend assistance. See 0022.03.03 (Ineligibility in a Prospective Month - Cash), 0022.18 (Suspensions).

Evaluate the last month of assistance for overpayments. See 0022 (Budgeting and Benefit Determination).


GA:
Terminate assistance if you cannot establish current eligibility. See 0026.15 (Notice of Denial, Termination, or Suspension).

If ineligibility will last only 1 month, suspend GA unless the case is in the 1st 2 prospective months. See 0022.03.03 (Ineligibility in a Prospective Month - Cash), 0022.18 (Suspensions).


A unit that loses eligibility for GA may be eligible for other assistance:

●	SNAP.
●	Health care. See the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual.

Evaluate the last 2 months of assistance to determine if there was an overpayment. See 0022 (Budgeting and Benefit Determination), 0025 (Benefit Adjustments and Recovery).


HSP:
If ineligibility will last no more than 2 months, suspend assistance. Evaluate the last month of assistance for overpayments.