Reduction or Termination of Benefits

Once continued or reinstated, benefits shall not be reduced or terminated before the official hearing decision is issued, unless one of the following occurs: (A) Issue of Federal Law or Regulation. The hearing official makes a preliminary determination, in writing at the hearing, that the only issue is one of federal law or regulation and that the household claim that the Department improperly calculated the benefits or misinterpreted or misapplied such law or regulation is invalid; (B) Change in Household Eligibility or Benefit Level. A change affecting the household's eligibility or benefit amount occurs while the hearing decision is pending and the household fails to request a hearing after the subsequent Notice of Adverse Action; (C) Mass Change. A mass change affecting the household's eligibility or basis of issuance occurs while the hearing decision is pending; or (D) Certification Period Expires. The household's certification period expires.