Mass Changes

Mass Changes. A. There are certain changes that may affect a significant portion of the caseload or the entire caseload that are initiated by either the state or Federal government. B. These mass changes include, but are not limited to, the following: 1. Federal adjustments to eligibility standards, maximum allotments, standard deductions and state adjustments to utility standards. a) A notice of adverse action must not be used for these changes. b) These types of mass changes must be publicized through the news media or posters in certification offices or other sites frequented by certified households. c) Households whose certification periods overlap the annual adjustment in the utility standard will be advised at the time of initial certification of when the adjustment will occur and what the difference in the benefit level will be, if known. 2. Mass changes in public assistance. a) When MDHS has at least 30 days advance knowledge of the amount of the public assistance adjustment, MDHS must make the change in benefits effective in the same month as the public assistance change. b) If MDHS does not have sufficient notice, the SNAP change must be effective no later than the month following in which the public assistance change was made. 3. Mass changes in Federal benefits. a) MDHS must make procedures for making mass changes to show cost-of- living adjustments (COLAs) in benefits and any other mass changes under Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI), SSI and other programs such as veteran’s assistance under title 38 of the United States Code and the Black Lung Program. b) These changes will be reflected as soon as possible but no later than the 2nd benefit issued after the month in which the change becomes effective. C. Mass changes in public assistance and mass changes in Federal benefits require an individual notice for mass change. D. A household is entitled to request a fair hearing if it feels aggrieved by the mass change. E. A household which requests a fair hearing will be entitled to continued benefits at its previous benefit level if the household meets the following: 1. The household does not specifically waive its right to continuation of benefits; 2. The household requests a fair hearing in accordance with the notice of adverse action; and 3. The household’s fair hearing request is based on improper computation of SNAP eligibility or benefits, or upon a misinterpretation or misapplication of Federal law or regulation.