Just a note to clarify e-signatures for applicants who apply online without a paper application. Per FNS, counties may request additional personal identifying information in order to validate an electronic signature. Whether a paper or electronic application, the county must “provide the means for an applicant to immediately start the application process” with just a name, address and signature. (MPP Section 63-300.3.)  This includes the requirement to accept an incomplete application.  (Presumably this means that if the e-signature is not validated, the county is to accept it and pursue validation.) [Download]

The 2008 federal appropriations bill extended the exclusion of Combat pay as income for Food Stamps. Of note is that this letter clarifies that a household’s access to a service person’s bank account, under certain circumstances, ALSO is excludable as a resource.  The bank account does not count as a resource if the household can document “to the satisfaction of the County” that it’s access is solely for the purpose of paying the service person’s bills, etc., and the household cannot use the funds for its own purposes.  The letter lists as possible verification a written statement from the service person, a statement from the involved financial institution, or “other means attesting to the fact.”  (The funds are excluded under the provision for jointly held resources that are inaccessible to the Food Stamps household.)  [Download]

The FNS has approved a one-year waiver from the ABAWD work requirement for 52 counties within California. The waiver will begin May 1, 2008.  When folks discontinued for not meeting an ABAWD work requirement subsequently reapply for non-Assistance food stamps in a waiver county, they can be eligible for benefits. The letter additionally reminds counties that FSET still applies, as do work sanctions.  Just when you were feeling the love.  [Download]

Counties may temporarily exempt ABAWDs (limited to three months in a 36-month time period unless they work at least 20 hours a week or participate in a qualifying work or training program) who are at risk of losing food stamp eligibility due to the three-month limit by granting the 15% exemption. The 36 counties with an ABAWD waiver covering the entire county are listed; these counties are not allocated 15% exemptions, since ABAWDs in these counties are not subject to the work requirement. Inlcudes a reminder that 15% ABAWD exemption cannot be granted during a food stamp sanction. [Download]