the snap task force€¦ · the snap task force meeting of september 2018 prepared by the staff of...
TRANSCRIPT
The Research Packet For
THE SNAP TASK FORCE
Meeting of September 2018
Prepared by the staff of Benefits Access,
Food Bank For New York City
39 Broadway, 10th Fl.
New York NY 10006
Tel: 212.566.7855
Fax: 212.566.1463
www.foodbanknyc.org
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SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) TASK FORCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
1. Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates: Fiscal Year 2010 to
Fiscal Year 2016………………………………………………………………..…………………………………..
2. Information Collection: Evaluation of Technology Modernization for SNAP Benefits Redemption
though online transactions……................................................................................................................
3. Request for Extension of a Current Information Collection – Evaluation of SNAP Employment and
Trainings (E&T) Pilots……………………..……………………...…………………………………………………
4. Comment Request – Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)…………,…….
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
1. Information Letter: 18-INF-13: Revisions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Application/Recertification (LDSS-4826) and How To Complete the SNAP
Application/Recertification and Applicant/Recipient Right and Responsibilities (LDSS-
4826A)……………………………………………………………………………………………….………………
2. Press Release: Governor Cuomo Announces Plan to Protect SNAP Recipients’ Access Farmers’
Markets……………………………………………………...……………………………………………………....
3. General Information System 18 TA/DC027: Updated SNAP Standards for October 2018……………
4. General Information System 18 TA/DC028: Closing of the 2017-2018 Home Energy Assistance
Program (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Component and Deadline for 2017-2018 Administrative
Funds……………………………………………………………………………………………………………......
5. Local Commissioners Memorandum 18-LCM-15: FFY 2018 Able-Bodied Adult Without
Dependents (ABAWD) Pledge Fund Updated………………………………………………………………
6. New York State SNAP Participation and Benefit Value in June 2018………………………….………….
New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA)
1. Policy Bulletins and Directives…………………………………………………………………………..……….
Policy Bulletin #18-13-ELI: Mailer and Match Action Program (MMAP)....................................
Policy Directive #18-31-ELI: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Change
Reporting Rules……………………………………………………………………………………………..
Policy Bulletin # 18-43-ELI: Stipend Payments From Child Development Study – Exempt for
CA/SNAP Budgeting…………………………………………………………………………………….
Policy Bulletin # 18-48-OPE: Revisions to The Mandated Poster and Signage List For Job
Centers and HRA Express Sites (M-98C) and the Mandated Poster and Signage List for
Non-cash Assistance SNAP Centers (NPA SNAP) Centers (M-99D)……...……………………….
Policy Bulletin # 18-45-OPE: Renewal Process for Home Visit Needed/Homebound
(HVN/HB) Status…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Policy Bulletin # 18-51-OPE: Reminder About an Applicant’s or Participant’s Right To a
Conference to Challenge an Agency Action……………………………………………………….
Reports and Notable Items from Other Sources
1. Report from Food Research and Action Center - How Hungry is America?.……................................
2. Report From Pew Research Center - The American Middle Class Is Stable in Size, but Losing
Ground Financially to Upper-income Families…….…………………………………………………...……
Hunger and Poverty in the Media
1. National News:
“About 2 Million Low-income Americans Would Lose Benefits Under Farm Bill, Study Says”, New York Times………
“Immigrants Drop Subsidized Food, Health Programs – Fearing Aid Will Be Used Against Them”, NBC News……….
APPENDICES
Appendix A: WINR0639 FS Serv Exclusion Report - Case Not Rebudgeted…………………………………………………………….....……
Appendix B: WINR0006 FS Serv Error Report – Case Not Rebudgeted…………………………………………………………………………..
Appendix C: The NYC SNAP Change Reporting Desk-Aid (LDSS-4908 NYC)…………………….……………………………………………..
Appendix D: NYCWAY Action Codes for Home Visit (HVN) Homebound (HB) Request Process………………………………………….
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I. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
1. TRENDS IN SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
RATES: FISCAL YEAR 2010 TO FISCAL YEAR 2016, JULY 23, 2018 <https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/snap/Trends2010-2016.pdf>
USDA has released data regarding SNAP participation rates for FY16, comparing
them to estimates of participation rates for FYs 2010 through 2015. On average, 47
million individuals were eligible for benefits each month in 2016 and nearly 40 million
received benefits. Overall the program served 85 percent of all eligible individuals in
2016, up thirteen points from 72 percent in 2010. Similar to past years, the lowest
income individuals who are eligible for higher benefits participated at higher rates.
Only 30 percent of those eligible for the minimum benefit ($16 in 2016) or less
participated. Participation rates were higher for children and for individuals in
households living in poverty.
Participation rates for elderly individuals and for those in households with income
above poverty but still eligible were much lower – 45 percent and 42 percent,
respectively. However, participation rates for the elderly varied significantly
depending upon their living situation. The participation rate for individuals in
households with earned income was 75 percent, while that for individuals in
households receiving Social Security Income (SSI) was close to the overall average
at 86 percent. Participation rates rose slightly or held steady for most groups
between 2015 – 2016.
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2. INFORMATION COLLECTION: EVALUATION OF TECHNOLOGY
MODERNIZATION FOR SNAP BENEFIT REDEMPTION THROUGH ONLINE
TRANSACTIONS, JULY 30, 2018 <https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fr-073018>
USDA FNS has invited the general public and other public agencies to comment on
testing the feasibility of online purchasing for SNAP through Evaluation of Technology
Modernization for SNAP Benefit Redemption through online Transactions for the
USDA. The report will synthesize findings across pilots. The data collection includes
interviews with key informants, including online retailers and their web service
providers, the designated third-party processor for the pilots, EBT processors and
State Agency EBT coordinators. The comment period end date is September 28,
2018.
3. REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF A CURRENT INFORMATION COLLECTION –
EVALUATION OF SNAP EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (E&T) PILOTS, AUGUST
10, 2018 <https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fr-081018>
USDA has extended the collection of information period for the purpose of
evaluating the FY2015 Pilot Projects to Reduce Dependency and Increase Work
Requirements and Work Effort. The comment period end date is October 9, 2018.
4. COMMENT REQUEST – DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (D-SNAP), AUGUST 30, 2018
In March 2015, USDA awarded grants between $8.9
million and $22.3 million to 10 Pilots: California,
Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky,
Mississippi, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
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https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/fr-083018
USDA FNS has invited the general public and other public agencies to comment on
State agencies’ requests to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program (D-SNAP). Comments are due by October 29, 2018.
II. NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY
AND DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
1. INFORMATIONAL LETTER 18-INF-13: REVISIONS TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL
NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) APPLICATION/RECERTIFICATION
(LDSS-4826) AND HOW TO COMPLETE THE SNAP
APPLICATION/RECERTIFICATION AND APPLICANT/RECIPIENT RIGHTS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES (LDSS-4826A), JULY 30, 2018
<http://otda.ny.gov/policy/directives/r2018/INF/18-INF-13.pdf>
Informs social services districts that the LDSS-4826 and LDSS-4826A have been
updated with language for collecting data necessary to meet the federal SNAP
Employment and Training (E&T) reporting requirements:
LDSS-4826 Update: The following information will be added to the
“EDUCATION/TRAINING AND LANGUAGE” chart on page 4:
“Highest School Grade Completed” was added as a column in the chart.
Districts should direct applicants and/or recipients to indicate the highest
grade each adult in the household who is 16 years of age or older, actually
completed.
The primary language column was changed from – “Is English the individual’s
primary language?” To “What is the individual’s primary language spoken?”
The instructions for the chart were updated to explain how the “Highest School
Grade Completed” should be entered.
LDSS-4826A Updates:
Section 7: “EDUCATION/TRAINING AND LANGUAGE” has been updated to
explain how to complete the “Highest Grade Completed’ section of the chart
and that the provision of highest school grade collected in the chart is
voluntary.
Changes under the section “AN APPLICANT/RECIPIENT OF SNAP HAS SEVERAL
RESPONSIBILITIES:”
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o Language was added for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents
(ABAWDs) to contact the district immediately if they are meeting the
ABAWD work requirement;
o Language referencing Good Cause for an ABAWD not meeting the
ABAWD work requirement was added
o “Immediately” was added to the document directing ABAWDs to
contact the district to regain SNAP eligibility.
2. PRESS RELEASE: GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES PLAN TO PROTECT SNAP
RECIPIENTS’ ACCESS TO FARMERS’ MARKETS, JULY 27, 2018
<https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-plan-protect-
snap-recipients-access-farmers-markets>
Governor Cuomo announced that New York State and the Farmers Market
Federation of New York have reached an agreement with Novo Dia Group (mobile
application vendor) to enable SNAP recipients to continue to use their benefits at
farmers’ markets across the state through the rest of the farmers’ market season.
Governor Cuomo issued a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue urging federal
action on the issue.
The USDA awarded the new contract that provides SNAP EBT equipment and services
for farmers’ markets to a company that does not support mobile, cellular based
transactions. With no replacement technology in place and no foresight by the
federal government to anticipate the situation, both SNAP beneficiaries and farmers
would have suffered.
New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets and the Office of Temporary
and Disability Assistance will continue to work on a more permanent solution.
Under Governor Cuomo’s direction, New York had made tremendous progress to
expand and improve SNAP usage at farmers’ markets while decreasing operating
costs, as a record number of farmers’ markets throughout the state now accepts
SNAP benefits. In addition, in 2014 the New York farmers’ markets made the transition
to current smartphone SNAP/EBT processing to increase efficiency and reduce
operating cost.
3. GENERAL INFORMATION SYSTEM 18 TA/DC027: UPSTATE AND NYC – UPDATED
SNAP STANDARDS FOR OCTOBER 2018, AUGUST 22, 2018
<http://otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2018/18DC027.pdf>
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In compliance with updated federal requirements, SNAP standards will change in
New York State effective October 1, 2018. Notable changes are summarized below:
Shelter cap value has increased from $535 to $552
Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) amount for Heating/Cooling has increased from
$791 to $800; the Utility SUA has also increased from $300 to $316
Standard deduction based on household size has increased to $164 for
households with 1-3 people, $174 for households with 4 people, $204 for
households with 5 people and $234 for households with 6 or more people,
Federal poverty limit (FPL) thresholds have been adjusted as follows:
Certain households receiving SNAP under NYSNIP1 may have their benefits
adjusted as a result of these changes, per the benefits matrix below:
1 New York State Nutrition Improvement Project
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4. LOCAL COMMISSIONERS MEMORANDUM 18-LCM-15: FFY 2018 ABLE-
BODIED ADULT WITHOUT DEPENDENTS (ABAWD) PLEDGE FUND UPDATED,
AUGUST 30, 2018
<http://otda.ny.gov/policy/directives/2018/LCM/18-LCM-15.pdf>
Provides an update to the 100% allocation of ABAWD Pledge funds in FFY 2018 for
districts that do not have a full county based ABAWD waiver. The USDA approved
additional ABAWD waivers beginning March 1, 2018, which required a redistribution
of ABAWD pledged funds.
Districts are required to evaluate the ABAWD status of each individual applying for
or receiving SNAP. All districts, including those that have a federally approved
waiver of ABAWD work requirements, must record each SNAP applicant or
recipient’s ABAWD status on WMS.
5. GENERAL INFORMATION SYSTEM18 TA/DC028: CLOSING OF THE 2017-2018
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP) COOLING ASSISTANCE
COMPONENT AND DEADLINE FOR 2017-2018 HEAP ADMINISTRATIVE FUNDS,
AUGUST 31, 2018
<http://otda.ny.gov/policy/gis/2018/18DC028.pdf>
Informs social services districts that Friday, August 31, 2018 is the closing date for the
2017-2018 HEAP Cooling Assistance Component (CAC). Mail-in applications
postmarked on or before the closing date must be processed. Applications
received after the CAC closing date must be denied.
6. NEW YORK STATE SNAP PARTICIPATION AND BENEFIT VALUE IN JUNE 2018
<https://otda.ny.gov/resources/caseload/2018/2018-06-stats.pdf>
According to the latest data from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
(OTDA), SNAP participation across New York State decreased slightly from May to
June 2018. Benefits also saw a slight decrease during this time-period. In New York
New York State receives annual allocations from the USDA to
support SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) administration
which includes an ABAWD Pledge fund allocation. The ABAWD
funds are available to districts that do not have a federally
approved full county ABAWD waiver or have declined a waiver for
calendar year 2018. The funds are 100% federal funds and are
distributed based on the estimated percentage of ABAWDS residing in non-waived areas of each district as compared to the
total estimated number of ABAWDS residing in non-waived areas
statewide. Two districts in New York State had their ABAWD
waivers status updated in March 1, 2018 resulting in a redistribution
of ABAWD Pledge Funds.
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City, 1,607,466 individuals received $233,289,479 in SNAP benefits. The average SNAP
benefit received by NYC households was $253.
III. NEW YORK CITY HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATION
1. POLICY BULLETINS AND DIRECTIVES
POLICY BULLETIN #18-13-ELI: MAILER AND MATCH ACTION PROGRAM (MMAP),
JULY 13, 2018
Informs the Mailer and Match Action Program (MMAP) staff, who process certain
case actions as a result of the periodic reporting process, computer matches,
worklists and mass re-budgeting reports, of their responsibility for reviewing the reports
and making any required changes.
Periodic Report with No Changes
If the MMAP Worker determines that there are no changes to be made, they will
input a comment in POS that the household has complied with the periodic reporting
process and there were no changes. MMAP staff are not required to do a new
budget for cases with no changes.
PERSONS HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITS
MA
Y
20
18
JU
NE
20
18
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
MA
Y
20
18
JU
NE
20
18
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
MA
Y
20
18
JU
NE
20
18
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
New York State 2,787,447 2,769,827
-0.64% 1,565,561 1,557,053
-0.54% $379,476,000 $377,714,895
-0.47%
New York City 1,618,164 1,607,466
-0.66% 928,314 923,170
-0.56% $233,654,515 $233,289,479
-0.16%
Rest of State 1,169,283 1,162,361
-0.59% 637,247 633,883
-0.53% $145,821,485 $144,425,416
-0.97%
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE AVERAGE BENEFITS PER HOUSEHOLD
MA
Y
20
18
JU
NE
20
18
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
MA
Y
20
18
JU
NE
20
18
PER
CEN
T
CH
AN
GE
New York State 1.780 1.789 0.50% $242.39 $242.58 -0.08%
New York City 1.743 1.732 -0.63% $251.69 $252.70 -0.40%
Rest of State 1.835 1.822 -0.71% $228.83 $227.84 -0.51%
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Periodic Reports with Changes
MMAP staff must process information submitted on a completed periodic report that
will result in a decrease or termination of benefits (even if the change is not verified)
unless the change is due to a decrease in a deduction (non-move shelter expenses,
medical or dependent care expenses). Households whose benefits will increase as
a result of information submitted cannot receive an increase in benefits until
verification of the change has been provided. When a change reported on the
periodic report will result in an increase in benefits but no documentation to verify
the change was included, the MMAP Worker must generate the Notice of
Documentation Required – Change in Household Circumstances (W-132S). The W-
132S informs the household that they must verify the changes. The W-132S will be
mailed automatically to the household with a due date of 15 days, with the SNAP
Documentation Guide (W-129G) and a postage paid return envelope addressed to
the Home Center. A household’s case cannot be closed for failure to submit
documentation along with the Periodic Report. The MMAP Worker must complete
the case without applying the unverified changes if those changes would have
resulted in an increase in benefits. If verification is submitted at a later date, the
changes will be acted upon.
Prison Match Processing
Welfare Management System (WMS) is programmed to automatically close single
person SNAP cases found on the Prison match. The single person cases are run
against the file from OTDA. If there is a match with the Client Identification Number
(CIN) and case number on the Prison match, WMS will close the case using closing
code F63. MMAP receives a monthly Exception Listing of Prisoner Closings from the
NYS Department of Correctional Services and Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Social Security Administration Mass Re-budget (MRB) Exception Processing
Each December a mass re-budget is run in WMS to update the cases with individuals
in receipt of RSDI/SSI or Veterans Benefits. Included in the MRB is the automatic
recalculation of all pending budgets affected by the Retirement, Survivor’s, Disability
Income/Supplemental Security Income (RSD/SSI) Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).
A Notice of Mass Change is sent to all participants whose SNAP benefits will be
reduced effective January for the following year because of the increase in RSDI/SSI
income.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Cooling Standard Utility Allowance
(HCSUA) MRB
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The HEAP HCSUA MRB is a mass re-budget of HEAP eligible cases when the full SUA
has to be issued. The cases appear on the WINR0639 exclusion report and the
WINR00006 error report sent to MMAP every month from OTDA. See Appendices A
and B.
POLICY BULLETIN #18-31-ELI: SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(SNAP) CHANGE REPORTING RULES, JULY 13, 2018
Informs staff that SNAP households are subjected to the following reporting
requirements:
New York State Nutrition Improvement Project (NYSNIP)
NYSNIP households have 48-month certification periods and are not required to
report any changes during this period. These households are sent an Interim Report
(NYC) (LDSS-4836) at the end of the 23rd month of their certification period which
must be completed and returned by the tenth day of the 24th month, even if there
are no changes to report.
Ten Day Change Reporting Households
Non-NYSNIP households subject to ten-day SNAP change reporting rules are required
to report the following changes with ten days after the end of the calendar month
in which the change occurred:
Changes in any source of income
Changes of more than $100 a month in the household’s total income
Changes in household composition
Change in residence
Change in rent/mortgage and heating/cooling expense
Change in the amount of court-ordered child support payed out
ABAWDS whose work hours go below 80 hours per month.
Non-NYSNIP and non-ten day SNAP change reporting households not specifically
identified in the bulletin are six-month reporters and subject to six month reporting
rules.
Workers should utilize The NYC Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Change Reporting Desk-Aid (LDSS-4908 NYC) for information on SNAP change
reporting rules. See Appendix C.
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POLICY BULLETIN #18-43-ELI: STIPEND PAYMENTS FROM CHILD DEVELOPMENT
STUDY – EXEMPT FOR CA/SNAP BUDETING, JULY 30, 2018
Informs HRA staff that Program Incentive Payments (PIP) received by participants in
the “Child Development Study” are exempt as income and resources when
determining eligibility. PIP fund will be issued monthly to research study participants
through a prepaid debit card. The Child Development Study started in July and is a
multi-year medical research study in which low-income households receive monthly
incentive stipend for their participation.
PIP payments are not intended to meet the participants’ basic needs such as food,
clothing and shelter, therefore the monies are exempt as income. The payments
would be considered resources in the month received, but under broad-based
categorical eligibility rules, most households are not subject to the resource test.
POLICY BULLETIN #18-48-OPE: REVISIONS TO THE MANDATED POSTER AND
SIGNAGE LIST FOR JOB CENTERS AND HRA EXPRESS SITES (M-98C) AND THE
MANDATED POSTER AND SIGNAGE LIST FOR NON-CASH ASSISTANCE
SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NPA SNAP) CENTERS (M-
98D), AUGUST 2, 2018
Informs HRA staff that the “Mandated Poster and Signage List for Job Centers and
HRA Express Sites” (M98c) and “Mandated Poster and Signage List for Non-Cash
Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NCA SNAP) Centers” (M-98d)
forms have been revised.
The Location in Center description was changed to “Prominently displayed and in all
applicant/participant waiting areas” for the following forms:
“Will You Still Receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) After
Cash Assistance” (LDSS-4996);
“Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Complaint
Procedure” (LDSS-8036).
M98d Revisions Only:
The last sentence that appears under the title on each page now reads: “Only
employee mandated signs are required at SNAP Telephone Interview Processing
Services (TIPS) locations”;
The Location in Center description was changed to “Prominently displayed and in all
applicant/participant waiting areas” for the “SNAP Right to File” (LDSS-4995) form.
POLICY BULLETIN #18-45-OPE: RENEWAL PROCESS FOR HOME VISIT
NEEDED/HOMEBOUND (HVNA/HB) STATUS, AUGUST 10, 2018
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Informs HRA staff of the process for renewing Home Visit Needed/Homebound
(HVN/HB) status for participants whose HVN/HB status was approved for more than
180 days. In addition, informs staff of the modifications made to the New York City
Work Accountability and You (NYCWAY) system.
Thirty days before the participant’s HVN/HB exemption status expires Action Code
19EN (HVN/HB Exemption Expiration Notice) will post on the case in NYCWAY and
NYCWAY will generate and mail the following to the participant:
Notification of Expiration of Home Visit Needed/Homebound Status (FIA-
1028K);
Home Visit Needed Request – Clinical Assessment (CAS-103) Form;
HIPAA Authorization for the Disclosure of Individual Health Information Form
(CAS-605); and
A postage-paid return envelope.
For participants who request a renewal of HVN/HB status, the Action Code 192Q
(HVN/HB Exemption Renewal Request) will be posted in NYCWAY. If the participant
provides documentation, the worker will scan and index the documents into the
case record. For participants who do not respond to the renewal notice within
twenty (20) days after the 19EN has posted, the Action Code 19ND (HVN/HB
Medical Documentation Not Returned) will automatically be posted. The 19ND
notifies staff that outreach is required on this case. In addition, Action Code 19ND
will also post 20 days after the 192Q Future Action Date (FAD) if the 192Q is open
and no supporting documentation is submitted.
The Worker must offer assistance if the applicant has not provided updated
medical documentation. If assistance is accepted by the participant he/she must
complete the following forms:
Home Visit Needed Request/Activities of Daily Life – Client Information Form
(CAS-102);
Home Visit Needed Request Clinical Assessment Form (CAS-103); and
HIPPA Authorization for the Disclosure of Individual Health Information Form
(CAS-605).
See Appendix D (NYCWAY Action Codes for Home Visit Needed (HVN)
Homebound (HB) Request Process.
POLICY BULLETIN #18-51-OPE: REMINDER ABOUT AN APPLICANT’S OR
PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT TO A CONFERNECE TO CHALLENGE AN AGENCY
ACTION, AUGUST 13, 2018
The policy reminds staff about the client’s right to a center conference to review an
agency’s decisions. When a client contacts a center in person or by telephone to
inquire about an agency action, HRA staff must remind client about the availability
of a center conference. Client concerns may be resolved via case conference
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without having to request a Fair Hearing. The right to request a Fair Hearing always
remains an option even if a center conference is requested. The Center Director’s
designee will conduct center conferences.
When a client contacts the On Demand Center or a center other than the Home
Center for a conference, staff should instruct clients to call the HRA Infoline at (718)
557-1399. The Infoline representative will give clients the contact information for
their home center. If a client calls an Eligibility Specialist (ES) on the telephone, the
ES should try to connect the client to the Center Director’s designee before
providing the designee’s telephone number.
During the conference the designee will listen to and evaluate the client’s
concerns, and as part of the evaluation will:
Go over the case record information;
Review documentation in the case record or newly submitted documents;
and
Discuss the issue with the Group Supervisor/Eligibility Specialist
After the evaluation, the designee will decide to either resolve the action or explain
why the agency action is correct.
IV. Reports and Notable Items from Other Sources
1. REPORT FROM FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER:
HOW HUNGRY IS AMERICA?, AUGUST 1, 2018 <http://www.frac.org/wp-content/uploads/food-hardship-july-2018.pdf>
According to a new report released by Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)
the national food hardship rate for all households increased from 15.1 percent in
2016 to 15.7 percent in 2017. FRAC analyzed Gallup data, looking at which
Americans answered “yes” to the question “Have there been times in the past 12
months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you and your
family needed?” nationally, regionally, at state level and at local level (by
Metropolitan Statistical Area, MSA).
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The food hardship rate for households with children rose from 17.5 percent in 2016
to 18.4 percent in 2017. Nationally, the food hardship rate for households with
children is 1.3 times higher than for non-children households.
Though the economy continues to recover from the Great Recession, tens of
millions of Americans still are being left behind by the failure of the economy to
provide family-supporting wages and the failure of government to respond with
adequate initiatives to boost wages and public programs for those struggling.
In every part of the country a substantial number of households is struggling with
hunger. At least 1 in 7 households suffered from food hardship in 2016-2017, in 24
states and the District of Columbia, and in 63 out of 108 MSAs in the study.
The rise in the national food hardship rate in 2017 is significant. After the height of
the recession, the national food hardship rate had fallen from nearly 18.9 percent
in 2013 to 15.1 percent in 2016.
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Though the economy continues to recover, tens of millions of Americans are being
left behind by the failure of the economy to provide family-supporting wages and
the failure of government to respond with adequate initiatives to boost jobs, wages
and public programs for those struggling. The nation’s unemployment rate
continued to fall in 2017, but wages were largely stagnant, and support for our
safety net (i.e. SNAP, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act premium subsidies) were
under attack.
The national food hardship rate for households with children was almost one-third
higher than that for households without children. At 18.4 percent, 1 in 5 households
with children said that there were times in 2017 when they did not have enough
money to buy food.
High food hardship rates now can no longer be attributed to the Great Recession
or the pace of the recovery, reflecting rather the nation’s long-term failure to
address poverty and hunger. The path to reduce suffering caused by hunger,
poverty, and reduced opportunity is clear:
Higher employment rates;
More full-time jobs and jobs with hours and schedules that fit the needs
of working parents;
More child care and other supports to make work more feasible and
family supporting;
Better wages and job benefits;
Stronger income supports for those out of work, unable to work, or
earning low wages, through improved unemployment insurance, TANF,
refundable tax credits.
Strengthened nutrition programs
Strengthening nutrition programs means broadening eligibility, improving access
among those who are eligible (only 4 out of 5 eligible people receive SNAP
benefits and barely half the eligible children receive school breakfast), and
upgrading benefits amounts, especially in SNAP.
2. REPORT FROM PEW RESEARCH CENTER
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THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS IS STABLE IN SIZE, BUT LOSING GROUND
FINANCIALLY TO UPPER-INCOME FAMILIES, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018
<http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/06/the-american-middle-class-
is-stable-in-size-but-losing-ground-financially-to-upper-income-families/>
Half (52%) of American adults lived in middle-class households in 2016. This is
virtually unchanged from the 51% who were middle-class in 2011. While the size of
the nation’s middle-class remains stable, financial gains for these households
during this period were modest compared with those of higher-income
households, causing the income-disparity between the groups to grow.
The recent stability in the share of adults living in middle-income households marks
a shift in a decades-long downward trend. During 1971 to 2011, the share of
adults in the middle class fell by 10 percent. But that shift was not all down the
economic ladder. The increase in the share of adults who were upper-income
was greater than the increase in share who were lower-income over that period,
a sign of some economic progress.
Financially middle-class households in the U.S. were better off in 2016 than in 2010
for the median income of middle-class households increased from $74,015 in 2010
to $78,442 in 2016, by 6%. Upper-income households (where 19% of Americans
adults live) fared better than the middle-class as their median income increased
from $172,152 to $187,872, a gain of 9% over this period. Lower-income
households (29% of adults) experienced an income gain of 5%, about the same
as the middle class.
Recent gains notwithstanding, the median income of middle-class households in
2016 was about the same as in 2000, a reflection of the lingering effects of the
Great Recession and an earlier recession in 2001. The median income of lower-
income households in 2016 ($25,624) was less than in 2000 ($26,923). Only the
income of upper-income households increased from 2000 to 2016, from $183,680
to $187,872.
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Although the wealth of upper-income households has more than recovered from
losses experienced during the Great Recession, the wealth of lower and middle-
income households in 2016 was comparable to 1989 levels. Even as the
American middle class appears not to be shrinking, it continues to fall further
behind upper-income households financially, mirroring the long-running rise in
income inequality overall.
V. Hunger and Poverty in the Media
1. NATIONAL NEWS
“ABOUT 2 MILLION LOW-INCOME AMERICANS WOULD LOSE BENEFITS
UNDER HOUSE FARM BILL, STUDY SAYS”, NEW YORK TIMES, SEPTEMBER 6,
2018
<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/us/politics/trump-farm-bill-congress.html>
With the Farm Bill currently in committee, nonpartisan research firm
Mathematica, analyzed the impacts of proposals from the House to change
eligibility and enforce new harsh work requirements. Mathematica reports nearly
two million low-come Americans would like benefits under the House provisions in
the Farm Bill. This does not include potential changes to work requirements.
“About 34 percent of seniors in the program, or 677,000 households, would lose
benefits under the proposal, according to the study. More than one in 10 people
with a disability, another 214,000 households, would also lose eligibility.” The
president has been vocal of his support for new work requirements in the Farm Bill
while three of the four top ranking conferees are opposed to any major changes
to SNAP. The same week that Mathematica’s reporting came out, the USDA
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reports that 15 million Americans live in food insecurity- not know where their next
meal is coming from.
“IMMIGRANTS DROP SUBSIDIZED FOOD, HEALTH PROGRAMS – FEARING
AID WILL BE USED AGAINST THEM”, NBC NEWS, SEPTEMBER 8, 2018
<https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/immigrants-drop-subsidized-food-
health-programs-fearing-aid-will-be-n906246>
Though largely anecdotal, stories from immigrant communities of families
removing themselves from SNAP, WIC, CHIP, and other public assistance roles in
fear of the President’s new Public Charge rule through the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services. Leaked documents indicate that the White House is
considering expanding the definition of what would qualify an immigrant seeking
U.S. citizenship, green cards, or temporary visas as a “public charge.” The leaked
draft would include immigrants who use any type of public benefit as a public
charge- thus jeopardizing their own and their family’s chances at citizenship.
Confusion around the change- which has not been confirmed nor taken effect,
has led to sharp declines in the programs. The administration has defended the
plan to expand the definition by citing that immigrant households are “driving the
federal debt and deficit and unfairly taking benefits away from vulnerable U.S.
citizens and communities.” At this time, no changes have been made to the public
charge rule and no official documents have bene released. When the time comes
there will be a public comment period for opposition or support of the change.
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APPENDIX A
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APPENDIX B
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APPENDIX C
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APPENDIX D
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THE FOOD BANK FOR NEW YORK CITY
2018