2. What is SIMPLIFIED REPORTING?
Simplified Reporting is an option
that states can take in regards to
what it requires clients to report
and how the state will act on
reported changes. This is pursuant
to 7 CFR 273.12.
It, for all purposes, simplifies what
a client must report.
3. Wyoming is the 2nd to last state to
implement Simplified Reporting. Once
we go live California will be the only
state left that does not use Simplified
Reporting.
4. When will Wyoming implement Simplified Reporting?
We will be implementing Simplified Reporting for all
cases that recertify for June benefits and for all new
applications received on or after June 1, 2012. For
households that apply in May but are not eligible
until June, they too will be certified under Simplified
Reporting.
All currently approved cases will continue to be
certified with our current Pre-Simplified
Reporting Policy until the case is recertified.
5. What is the benefit of Simplified Reporting?
1. It may reduce client errors as they only
have two reporting requirements.
2. Less reporting requirements mean less
changes to act on.
3. Allows us to extend certification periods to
6 months which means less interviews.
4. All of the above means more time to work
cases accurately!
6. This means that Wyoming will be
operating two sets of policy until we are
able to phase everyone currently
approved for benefits into Simplified
Reporting.
The Combined Manual has been adjusted
to work with two sets of policy.
Let’s take a look at how this was done
and then we will go over the specific
policy changes in awhile.
7. What does Simplified Reporting mean
for Wyoming?
Currently in Wyoming we have Change
Reporting which means our clients must
report most changes in their lives to us.
With Simplified Reporting this all
changes.
8. Our clients will now only be required to
report to us if their household’s gross
income (earned plus unearned income)
goes over 130% of the Federal Poverty
Level for their household size or if the
household contains an ABAWD whose
hours drop below 20 hours per week on
average . They will have 10 days from
the end of the month when the change
occurred to report the change.
9. FFY12 INCOME LIMITS
Household/ Maximum Gross Monthly
Income 130% of Poverty
Assistance Unit Size
1 $1180
2 1594
3 2008
4 2422
5 2836
6 3249
7 3663
8 4077
9 4491
10 4905
Additional Member $+414
10. What if a household still chooses to
report changes?
Wyoming has taken the option to act on
all changes reported to the agency or
known to the agency.
If client Bill calls to report he got a raise
we will act on this change even if the
raise does not put the household over
130% of the FPL for the household size.
11. Since Wyoming has taken the option to act on all
changes reported or known to the agency this
means we will act on reports that are sent to the
field each month such as:
*New Hire
*SDX
*$25 State Supplement Report
*PARIS
This also means that if a client reports a change for
another program such as POWER, Child Care or
Medicaid we must act on it.
12. Under Simplified Reporting a household
must be given a minimum certification
period of 4 months with the exception of
EXPEDITE CASES. We will continue to
work expedite cases the same.
All households, including those that are
self-employed, but excluding those who
are elderly and disabled and have a
fixed income, will now be certified for 6
months. We will no longer certify self-
employed households for 12 months.
13. The ONLY households that can be
certified longer than 6 months are
those where ALL adult household
members are elderly and/or
disabled. These households can be
certified for either 6 or 24 months.
If a household is certified for 24
months then the household is
required to complete an interim
report at the 12 month mark.
14. Any case certified for 24 months must have
an interim report submitted by the 15th day
of the 12th month.
Here is how this will be done:
*An alert must be set for the 11th month to
send the client a letter saying they have to
complete an interim report and it must be
returned by the 15th day of the 12th month.
This letter is currently being developed.
15. *When this letter is sent it will also
automatically issue the interim report that
the client must complete. The interim
report is also being developed.
*The interim report will also be able to be
sent off the APEM screen like the current
change report in case a client needs another
copy.
*The 24 month cases are also going to be
placed in the CATS system to track to make
sure the letter and interim report are mailed
out.
16. We currently have a completion date set of
December 31st for the interim report, notice
and CATS system alerts to be working.
Once all of these items are working we will
provide training on this process.
The first cases that will follow this process
are those households that apply in June or
are recertified for June benefits and this will
be in April 2013.
17. You will want to align the SNAP
certification period with other programs
when at all possible but you must give a
client a minimum of a 4 month
certification period and no more than a
6 month certification period unless it is
a household that meets the criteria of a
24 month certification period.
Please remember under Simplified
Reporting there will no longer be a 12
month certification period.
18. When a client applies or recertifies for
SNAP and is approved under
Simplified Reporting they must be
notified both ORALLY and in
WRITING what this means. During
the interview a client needs to be
explained what Simplified Reporting is
and what their reporting requirements
are for their household size.
20. To help identify cases that are certified
under Simplified Reporting, both CAP 2
and the NORE screens will be tagged
to show you this.
Examples follow!
21. CAP2 CASE PROFILE - PAGE 2 032112 11:10
DENNIS M
CASE NAME: MARPURI REAP7 , DENNIS CASE NUMBER: 30001828
LAST ACTION: CHANGE FSAD 082212 MR RECEIVED:
SIMPLIFIED REPORTING: Y
BENEFIT APP STATUS CERTIFIED MR CURRENT
PROGRAM START RECEIVED SIZE TYPE STATUS DATE THRU
EXEMPT MONTH
AF 040112 032012 REC'D 032012 N 0412
FS 062112 060112 01 SPE OPEN 060712 0812 N 0712
ME 032112 030112 SPE REC'D 030112 N 0312
MED
CLIENT NAME NUMBER DOB SUB REL ---PARTICIPATION--- CC
WOW E&T
AF FS ME EA IA GA 4E
MARPURI REAP7, D 2000011103 010130 PI IN N R
22. SNAP ELIGIBLE (Not a Simplified Reporting)
EIS NORE NOTICE REQUEST 032212 14:51
DENNIS M
CASE NAME: MARPURI , SIMPLIFIED CASE NUMBER: 30001829
NOTICE BENEFIT
DELETE(#) TYPE MONTH PGM SITUATION
0412 FS FOOD STAMP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
0512 FS FOOD STAMP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
0612 FS FOOD STAMP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
0712 FS FOOD STAMP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
0812 FS FOOD STAMP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
0812 FS SNAP CASE IS ELIGIBLE
CASE NUMBER
OTHERS: :
23. 0612 FS SNAP SIMPLIFIED REPORTING - ELIGIBLE
CASE NUMBER:
OTHERS:
CASE NUMBER:
OTHERS:
SNAP ELIGIBLE (SIMPLIFIED REPORTING)
EIS NORE NOTICE REQUEST 060712 14:55
DENNIS M
CASE NAME: MARPURI , SIMP JUNE CASE NUMBER: 30001830
NOTICE BENEFIT
DELETE(#) TYPE MONTH PGM SITUATION
0612 FS SNAP SIMPLIFIED REPORTING - ELIGIBLE
CASE NUMBER:
OTHERS:
24. To take care of the written component for
Simplified Reporting, we have created a letter
that introduces you as their worker as well as
telling them what they must report. This
notice is the F001 and will need to be sent to
all households approved for benefits.
Handouts have also been created for you to
give clients.
The back of our notices have been changed to
also show the reporting requirements for
households certified with current policy as well
as Simplified Reporting policy requirements.
25. There will be the current Change Report for
pre-Simplified Reporting households, and the
new one for those households certified under
Simplified Reporting.
The new Change Report will also be on the
APEM screen and is currently being finalized by
our IT staff and ITD. Until the new change
report is in EPICS you will need to mail copies
to a client. Once it is on the APEM screen you
can send it just like the current Change Report.
26. Let’s look at the new notices, Change
Report, handouts and the back of the
notices.
27. Other exciting news in the
eligibility world!!!
After we get the EPICS changes made
with Simplified Reporting an exciting
change will be made for both SNAP and
POWER. We currently have in the
change request for EPICS to
automatically send a CHANGE REPORT
to a client.
More to come on this exciting change!
28. Let’s do a step by step review of a
couple of cases where a client is
certified under Simplified Reporting
from start to finish.
29. Client Sadie applies on June 14th. She is not elderly or
disabled. She comes into the office for her interview.
1. At her interview Sadie must be told what her
reporting requirements are for Simplified Reporting.
2. She must be given or mailed a new Change Report.
(Once EPICS is fixed this will automatically be sent
to her with an approval letter.)
3. Once Sadie is approved for benefits she must be
mailed an approval letter as well as the letter
introducing you as her worker.
4. Sadie is given at least a 4 month certification period
but not more than a 6 month certification period.
30. Client Betty is age 93 and her only income is her
SSRE. She has submitted an application on June 20th
to recertify for July benefits. Betty is doing a phone
interview.
1. During the interview Betty must be told of her
reporting requirements for Simplified Reporting.
2. Betty is going to be certified for 24 months as her
only income is SSRE and her lifestyle is stable.
She must be told that she will have an interim
report mailed to her in her 11th month of eligibility
that is due back by the 15th of the 12th month. If
Betty wants she may opt to be certified for only 6
months.
31. 3. Once Betty is approved for benefits she needs to be
sent an approval letter, a letter introducing you as
her worker and a Change Report. Again, once
programming changes have been made the Change
Report will automatically be sent to Betty.
4. An alert needs to be set on the PAAL screen
showing that Betty is to have an interim report sent
to her in the 11th month. In this case that is in May
2013. As stated earlier soon CATS will also track
the cases certified for 24 months.
34. Client applies on May 29th, are they
certified under our current reporting
requirements or under Simplified
Reporting?
35. If a client applies on May 17th but
received benefits in Montana in May and
is not eligible until June are they
certified under our current reporting
requirements or Simplified Reporting?
What must you explain to them?
36. If a client applies for benefits on April
23rd and is approved for expedite
benefits for April and May and turns in
all waived verifications by May 31st are
the extended months certified under
our current policy for reporting or are
they certified under Simplified
Reporting?
37. If a client applies for benefits on May
3rd and is approved for expedited
benefits for May and turns in all waived
verifications on June 2nd how is this
client certified for June and ongoing
months?
38. Based on the previous question let’s review Combined
Manual Sections 405 L & M that recently changed:
L. When the assistance unit has applied on or before the 15th of the
month, and verification is postponed, certify the assistance unit only for
the month of application.
1. Send the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice
explaining which pending verifications must be provided; and
2. Send the SNAP Certification Expiration notice notifying of the
certification period end date and the need to re-apply for continued
benefits.
3. Both the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice and
the SNAP Certification Expiration notice must be sent at the time the
application is processed.
4. For subsequent benefit months:
a. If the requested postponed verification is provided prior to the
certification period expiring, the certification period shall be lengthened to
the maximum allowed time based upon the circumstances of the
assistance unit.
(1)Send the Initial SNAP Application notice advising the assistance unit of
the new certification ending date.
b. If the requested postponed verification is not provided prior to the
certification period expiring, the assistance unit must re-apply.
39. M. When the assistance unit has applied after the 15th of the month,
and verification is postponed, certify the assistance unit for the month
of application and the following full month.
1. Send the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived
notice explaining which pending verifications must be provided.
2. Send the SNAP Certification Expiration notice notifying of the
certification period end date and the need to re-apply for continued
benefits.
3. Both the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived
notice and the SNAP Certification Expiration notice must be sent at the
time the application is processed.
4. For subsequent benefit months:
a. If the requested postponed verification is provided prior to the
certification period expiring, the certification period shall be
lengthened to the maximum allowed time based upon the
circumstances of the assistance unit.
(1) Send the Initial SNAP Application notice advising the assistance
unit of the new certification ending date.
b. If the requested postponed verification is not provided prior to the
certification period expiring, the assistance unit must re-apply.
40. If client Ray applies on June 4th and his
only source of income is from self-
employment how long of a certification
period can he be given? What is the
minimum certification period he must
be given?
41. If client Muriel recertifies in May for
June benefits and she is age 78 and
her only income is SSDS of $892 what
certification period can Muriel be
given?
42. What must Muriel do in the 12th month
of her certification period?
What if Muriel fails to do this?
43. If client Cleopatra applies for benefits
on June 5th and is approved under
Simplified Reporting and then calls on
June 23rd to report she has gotten
married do you act on this change?
44. Client’s Rudy and Keeda are in your
office on May 14th to recertify for June
benefits. What must be explained to
them and mailed to them?
45. Client Sally is in your office to recertify
for SNAP on May 14th for her June
benefits. Her income is way over the
income guidelines for a household size
of one and she says she has been
making this salary for the past 3
months.
What action(s) should be taken on this
case?
46. Does a client have to report if he is
moving to Georgia?
Does a client have to report if he is
going to jail?
Does a client have to report if she has a
baby?
Does a client have to report if she
moves?
47. Can a SNAP certification period be
shortened?
For example, client Florence is certified
for 24 months as she is only getting
SSDS but she calls to report she has
gotten a part-time job. Can she be
placed on a 6 month certification
period?
48. Can a certification period be
lengthened?
For example, client Ralph is currently
certified for 6 months. Ralph turns in
verification that he has been approved
for SSDS. This is a household size of 1.
Can this certification period be
lengthened to 24 months?
49. Client Jane calls to report that she has
moved. Do you act on this reported
change?
Client Bill calls to report he is now
working full-time. Do you act on this
change?
50. Client Abby applies on June 10th and is
approved for SNAP benefits and is
given a 6 month certification period.
On July 5th you get an application in for
her for Child Care and on the
application she now has a job.
Do you act on this?
51. Client Earl applies for benefits on June
3rd and is approved for SNAP and given
a 6 month certification period. Earl
shows up on the July New Hire Report.
Do you act on this?
52. Client Laverne applies for benefits on
July 7th and is approved for SNAP.
Laverne already had an open child care
case and is certified for child care
benefits through December 2012.
What SNAP certification period should
Laverne be given?
53. Client Lou applies for benefits on June 10th
and is approved for SNAP benefits and is
given a 6 month certification period. When
Lou comes in to recertify in December you
identify that his income is well over 130% of
the FPL for his household size. Lou discloses
his income has been this amount since
September.
What action should be taken on this case?
54. Client Jane receives a paycheck on July
28th that puts her households income
over 130% of the FPL for her household
size.
By what day must Jane report this to
DFS?
55. What will QC look for on Simplified Reporting cases?
1. QC will look to make sure the correct policy was
applied based on application and benefit start
date.
2. QC will look to make sure the case was worked
correctly at application or recertification.
3. QC will look to make sure that any changes
reported or known to the agency are acted upon
correctly and timely.
4. QC will look to see if a client was over 130% of
the FPL for the household size and did not report
it if the household is on Simplified Reporting.
56. 5. On a case that is certified prior to Simplified
Reporting, QC will check to make sure all
changes were reported that are required by Pre-
Simplified Reporting policy.
6. QC will look to make sure cases were worked on
or before the 30th day.
58. Housekeeping items & updates:
*Tax Returns
*ABAWD PROVISION-we received
notification of this coming back as of
March 23rd. Training will be done on
this at the end of May via video
conference in the same groups
Simplified Reporting training is being
done.
