FNS has clarified when a recipient can get deductions for expenses not timely reported. A prior memo stated agencies could add language to the Rights & Responsibilities that said “Failure to report or verify any … expenses will be seen as a statement by your household that you do not want to receive a deduction…”

The deduction can be disallowed if the household fails to report or verify an expense at: 1) certification; 2) recertification (can disallow a prior expense). An agency may not disallow the expense when reported for an interim changes (e.g. change in shelter costs) or quarterly report change, unless after proper request for verification (i.e. only certain changes need verification, and the agency shall help obtain verification, etc.) [Download]

This notice reviews how to handle rebates from the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. These amounts will be excluded as income for eligibility, allotment, and all other purposes, for all households. Additionally, the rebates are excluded as resources for 3 months (month of receipt +2). [Download]

Superceding AN 08-11, this notice reviews that Iraqis are now treated differently than Afghanis, as a result of new legislation. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2008 that extended program eligibility to affected Iraqi immigrants for a period not to exceed 8 months. To the contrary, the appropriations Act granted Afghanis special immigrant status that results in them being treated as a refugee for purposes of resettlement assistance, entitlement programs and other benefits, but limited to six months. The AN also reviews beginning dates of eligibility, including a review on how this interacts with the qualified alien rules. Eligibility runs from the date the person gets the special immigrant status, not the later date of the application. [Download]