Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—411 General Policy

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

A student in higher education is one who is enrolled at least half-time (as defined by the institution) in a college or university curriculum that offers degree programs, regardless of whether a high school diploma is required for admittance, or at a business, technical, trade or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent for admittance.

Student higher education policy does not apply to individuals:

• under age 18 (students are 18 the month after the student's 18th birthday);
• age 50 or older (students are 50 the month of the student's 50th birthday);
• enrolled in curricula (such as beauty school or auto mechanics) that do not require a diploma or the equivalent for entrance; or
• enrolled only in English as a second language curriculum.

Enrollment begins the first day of the first school term. For example, a high school senior might be accepted by a college and register for classes before graduation; however, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) does not consider the student enrolled until the first day of the college term.

Once enrolled, HHSC considers the student enrolled through vacation and recess, until the student graduates, is expelled, drops out, or does not intend to register for the next usual term, excluding summer school. A student remains enrolled between terms, breaks, and during summer vacations unless the student does not intend to return to school the next term.

 

B—412 Student Eligibility Requirements

Revision 21-1; Effective January 1, 2021

SNAP

A student qualifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if the student meets at least one of the followings:

1. Unfit for employment. If not evident, proof is required from a certified doctor or psychologist, or receipt of permanent or temporary disability benefits issued by government or private sources must be verified.
2. Employed for pay an average of 20 hours a week. If self-employed, the student must work an average of 20 hours a week and earn at least the federal minimum hourly wage.
3. Participating during the regular school year in a state or federally-funded work study program. The student must be working at a job for pay or for dollar credits against tuition charges. This does not include students who must work for academic requirements, such as interns and student teachers. The student exemption begins the month the school term begins or the work study is approved to begin, whichever is later. The student exemption stops:

• if the student quits working (unless it results solely from lack of work study funds); or
• when there is a break between terms of a full calendar month or longer unless the student continues work study during the break.

4. Enrolled in school through one of the following programs:

• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA);
• Choices;
• SNAP Employment and Training (E&T);
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (a program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission); or
• other state and local government training programs approved by state office as equivalent to E&T.

5. Participating in an on-the-job training program (classroom study is not considered on-the-job-training for this purpose).
6. Approved for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
7. Responsible for the care of a dependent child who is a certified household member and the child is:

• under 6 years old;
• at least 6 but under 12, and the student states there is no other available child care, which prevents the student from attending class and complying with work requirements in #2 or #3 above.
  
  Note: If both parents or caretakers are students, both cannot obtain student eligibility by caring for the same child.

8. A single parent (natural, adoptive or stepparent in the home or other single adult with parental control) who is:

• enrolled full-time (as determined by the school); and
• responsible for the care of a child under 12.

 

B—413 Ineligible Students

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

A student who does not meet the student eligibility requirements is not a member of the household. Do not count the student's income and resources for the remaining household members. If an ineligible student is also disqualified for another reason, the student is treated as a disqualified member.

If an ineligible student is also disqualified for another reason, the student is treated as a disqualified member. Advisors follow resource policy in A-1210, General Policy, and income policy in A-1362, Disqualified Members.

 

B—414 Work Registration

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

Eligible students are exempt from work registration during the regular school term. This exemption continues between terms, breaks and through scheduled school vacations for students who remain enrolled.

 

B—415 Verification Requirements

Revision 16-4; Effective October 1, 2016

SNAP

Staff must verify self-employment hours of students who work at least a weekly average of 20 hours and earn at least the federal minimum hourly wage. If the student does not provide verification by the due date, the student will be denied for failure to provide and is considered an ineligible student, unless they meet another student eligibility requirement as described in B-412, Student Eligibility Requirements.

 

B—416 Documentation Requirements

Revision 16-4; Effective October 1, 2016

SNAP

Advisors must document the student's eligibility, if questionable.

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—421 Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

FDPIR is a food distribution program that provides commodity foods to low-income households living on an Indian reservation, and to Native American families residing near reservations. The Indian tribe administers this program under approval from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Households eligible for the FDPIR receive a monthly food package based on the number of household members. The only tribe approved in Texas is the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas in Polk County.

Individuals cannot participate simultaneously in SNAP and FDPIR. An Indian Tribal Household eligible for both programs may participate in only one of the programs of its choice for a given month. The household may switch from one program to the other, but benefits must be ended in one program before certifying the household for the other program. Benefits in the new program can be issued for the month after benefits end in the previous program.

 

B—421.1 Duplicate Participation

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

HHSC staff must identify household members receiving duplicate benefits with SNAP and FDPIR. The household can be denied from either program. If duplicate participation occurs, a household overpayment occurs for the program that was certified for benefits last. HHSC staff must send an overpayment referral to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) if the overpayment occurred in SNAP.

The Livingston HHSC office receives a list of certified FDPIR households each month.

HHSC staff must:

• perform inquiry to identify any household members receiving benefits in both FDPIR and SNAP;
• notify FDPIR staff about any household member with duplicate participation;
• notify the corresponding HHSC office in another county, if the duplicate participant household moved to that county; and
• deny SNAP, if appropriate, and refer the household to OIG for a SNAP overpayment.

Related Policy

How to File an Overpayment Referral, B-730

 

B—421.2 Intentional Program Violation (IPV)

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

Any member disqualified from SNAP for an IPV is also disqualified from participating in the FDPIR program. Likewise, any member disqualified from FDPIR for an IPV is also disqualified from participation in SNAP for the full length of the IPV disqualification period. Advisors follow policy in B-940, Texas Works (TW) Responsibilities.

 

B—421.3 Switching from FDPIR to SNAP

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

If an Indian Tribal Household chooses to receive SNAP, staff must contact the Alabama-Coushatta FDPIR staff to verify that the household does not receive FDPIR before determining SNAP eligibility.

Note: Alabama is the only other state that can be entered in the Out of State Benefit Logical Unit of Work in this situation, and advisors must document the facts in the Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System (TIERS) Case Comments.

 

B—421.4 Switching from SNAP to FDPIR

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

For Indian Tribal Households switching from SNAP to FDPIR, staff must:

• process the switch as a verbal request for voluntary withdrawal from SNAP;
• send Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, allowing adequate notice;
• terminate SNAP benefits for the household as soon as possible so the household may be certified for FDPIR; and
• notify FDPIR staff of the SNAP denial effective date for the household.

Related Policy

Form TF0001 Required (Adequate Notice), A-2344.1

 

B—421.5 Verification Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

HHSC staff must contact Alabama-Coushatta FDPIR staff to verify that the household does not receive FDPIR and whether there is a current FDPIR IPV before determining SNAP eligibility for any Indian Tribal Household living in Polk County.

FDPIR staff must contact the Livingston HHSC office to verify the household does not receive SNAP and to verify any current SNAP IPV disqualification before certifying the household for FDPIR.

 

B—421.6 Documentation Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must document the:

• name and telephone number of the FDPIR staff who provides verification; and
• name of the household member currently disqualified for an IPV in FDPIR.

Related Policy

Documentation, C-940

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013 

B—431 Definition of Elderly

Revision 01-1; Effective January 1, 2001

SNAP

An elderly person is someone who is age 60 or older as of the last day of the month. 

B—432 Definition of Disability

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

The following people are considered to have a disability:

• People approved for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security disability or blindness payments, or SSI Medicaid only.
• Veterans who receive Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits because they are rated a 100 percent service-connected disability or who, according to the VA, need regular aid and attendance or are permanently housebound.
• Surviving spouses of deceased veterans who meet one of the following criteria according to the VA:
  • need regular aid and attendance,
  • are permanently housebound, or
  • are approved for benefits from the VA because of the veteran's death and could be considered to have a permanent disability for Social Security purposes. (See B-432.1, Social Security's Criteria for Disability.)
• Surviving children (any age) of a deceased veteran who the VA:
  • determines are permanently incapable of self-support, or
  • approves for benefits because of the veteran's death and could be considered to have a permanent disability for Social Security purposes. (See B-432.1.)
• People receiving disability retirement benefits from any government agency for a disability that could be considered permanent for Social Security purposes.
• People receiving Railroad Retirement Disability who are also covered by Medicare. 

B—432.1 Social Security's Criteria for Disability

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers that any of the following 12 conditions result in permanent disability:

• Permanent loss of use of both hands, both feet, or one hand and one foot.
• Amputation of leg at hip.
• Amputation of leg or foot because of diabetes mellitus or peripheral vascular diseases.
• Total deafness, not correctable by surgery or hearing aid.
• Statutory blindness, unless caused by cataracts or detached retina.
• IQ of 59 or less, established after the person becomes age 16.
• Spinal cord or nerve root lesions resulting in paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Multiple sclerosis in which there is damage to the nervous system caused by scattered areas of inflammation. The inflammation recurs and has progressed to varied interference with the function of the nervous system, including severe muscle weakness, paralysis, and vision and speech defects.
• Muscular dystrophy with irreversible wasting of the muscles, impairing the ability to use the arms or legs.
• Impaired renal function caused by chronic renal disease, resulting in severely reduced function which may require dialysis or kidney transplant.
• Amputation of a limb of a person at least age 55.
• AIDS progressed so that it results in extensive and/or recurring physical or mental impairment.

If the individual already receives SSI or Social Security blindness or disability payments, or the disability is obvious to the advisor (such as amputation of leg at hip), the advisor does not require additional verification. Other conditions may require the opinion of a physician. Advisors use Form H1836-A, Medical Release/Physician's Statement, in these instances. 

B—433 Special Provisions for Households with Elderly Members or Members with a Disability

Revision 20-3; Effective July 1, 2020

SNAP

Households containing members who are elderly or who have a disability receive special treatment. The special provisions are:

• exemption from the gross income test;
• allowance of a deduction for medical expenses when the medical expenses exceed a total of $35 per month for all eligible members who are elderly or who have a disability; and
• allowance of an uncapped excess shelter deduction for the full monthly amount that exceeds 50 percent of the household's monthly income after the allowable deductions.

Exception: Households with members who are disqualified for not meeting SSN requirements, alien status requirements or for reaching ABAWD time limits are ineligible for an uncapped excess shelter deduction. Household members who are disqualified for another reason are eligible for the uncapped excess shelter deduction when there is a member of the household who is elderly or has a disability.

Related Policy

Income Limits and Eligibility Tests, A-1341 
Medical Deduction, A-1428 
Shelter Costs, A-1429 
Deduction Amounts, C-121.1 

B—434 Verification Requirements

Revision 20-3; Effective July 1, 2020

SNAP

Verify that a household member:

• is age 60 or older; or
• meets the disability criteria in B-432, Definition of Disability.

Related Policy

Questionable Information, C-920 
Providing Verification, C-930 

B—435 Documentation Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must document:

• the reason the individual is considered to have a disability (see B-432, Definition of Disability);
• how age was verified (see B-431, Definition of Elderly); and
• how disability was verified (see B-432).

Related Policy

Documentation, C-940

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

B—441 Residents of D&A Facilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

People receiving chemical dependency treatment and residing in a facility that conducts a chemical dependency program may qualify for SNAP, regardless of the number of meals the facility provides, if the treatment facility is an approved institution. A D&A facility is an approved institution, if it is:

• certified as a retailer by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to accept SNAP benefits; or
• a private, nonprofit organization or institution or a publicly operated community mental health center. To qualify under this provision, the facility or organization must also meet one of the following requirements:
  • be licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to operate a chemical dependency treatment facility; or
  • have written verification from DSHS that it is a registered faith-based exempt chemical dependency treatment program under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464, Subchapter C, and is recognized by DSHS as operating a program that furthers the purposes of Part B of Title XIX of the Public Health Service Act, the rehabilitation of drug addicts or alcoholics. The facility does not have to receive funds from DSHS.

Residents in D&A facilities that are not approved institutions may qualify for SNAP, only if the facility provides half of their meals or less. Consider this when determining if a person who resides in a facility is institutionalized.

Note: See disqualified persons policy for people disqualified due to felony drug conviction.

Evaluate all other eligibility criteria to determine whether a resident of the treatment center is eligible for SNAP.

Determine eligibility following the same income and resource policy as other households. Processing time frames and procedures for certifying households apply to residents of treatment facilities, except the following:

• Household size — Certify:
  • single residents of the treatment facility as separate one-person households; and
  • adult residents and their children as one household.
• Authorized representative (AR)  — The treatment facility must act as the AR for all residents of the facility.
• Expedited service  — Process the application to allow the resident an opportunity to participate by the seventh calendar day after the application date. The application date is day zero.
• Adverse action — When the facility loses its status as AR or loses its certification, the resident must be given adequate notice of adverse action.
• Work registration — The resident is exempt from work registration.

A facility that is no longer an approved institution (the facility loses its license from a state agency or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disqualifies the facility as a retailer) cannot serve as an AR. Deny all existing SNAP Eligibility Determination Groups (EDGs) for residents in the facility. The facility may not debit residents' food accounts after the disqualification occurs.

Note: Refer the treatment center to the USDA FNS at 877-823-4369 or SNAP for inquiries about obtaining a SNAP retailer license from FNS.

Related Policy

Nonmembers, A-232.1
Disqualified Persons, A-232.2
Determining Whether a Person Who Resides in a Facility Is Institutionalized, B-490

B—442 Residents of GLA Facilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

A GLA is a public or private nonprofit residential facility that serves no more than 16 residents. People residing in a GLA facility may potentially qualify for SNAP, regardless of the number of meals the facility provides, if the GLA facility is an approved institution. A GLA is an approved institution if it is a:

• certified SNAP retailer; or
• nonprofit, certified by a state agency as required by Section 1616(e) of the Social Security Act.

Residents in GLA facilities that are not approved institutions may potentially qualify for SNAP, only if the facility provides half of their meals or less. Consider this when determining whether a person who resides in a facility is institutionalized.

Residents who meet disability definition criteria may be certified under group living arrangements. Determine eligibility according to the same income and resource standards as other households.

GLA residents may apply:

• for themselves;
• through an AR of their choosing; or
• through an AR employed by the facility.

If a member of the group wants to apply separately from other GLA residents, the facility makes the decision to allow the resident to apply separately based on the resident's physical and mental ability. Accept applications from any person the facility allows to apply as a one-person household or for any group of residents applying as a household.

Processing time frames and procedures for certifying households apply to GLA residents, except:

• Household size — If the resident applies using the facility as the AR, the resident is certified as a one-person household. If the residents apply without using the facility as AR, the largest allowable household size is 16.
• Expedited service — Provide benefits to allow the resident an opportunity to participate by the seventh calendar day after the application date. The application date is day zero.
• Adverse action — When the facility loses its status as AR or loses its certification, the resident is given adequate notice of adverse action.
• Work registration — Members must be registered unless exempt.

Related Policy

Nonmembers, A-232.1
Definition of a Disability, B-432
Determining Whether a Person Who Resides in a Facility Is Institutionalized, B-490

B—443 HHSC Responsibilities

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—443.1 Staff Responsibilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

For residents participating in D&A or GLA facilities, verify that the D&A or GLA facility meets the eligibility criteria.

D&A or GLA facility eligibility certification may be verified by contract documents or certificates of eligibility from the USDA, HHSC or DSHS. Verify nonprofit status by reviewing a current, valid Internal Revenue Service (IRS) exemption or a document from the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts. If the facility is a USDA-certified retailer, the facility's eligibility is verified.

Provide the facility AR a copy of Form H1851, Reference Guide for Drug and Alcohol Treatment (D&A)/Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facilities. The AR must acknowledge receipt of Form H1851 by signing Form H1846, Facility Authorized Representative Interview. Ensure the AR understands each of the facility's responsibilities.

Ensure the facility AR has a supply of Form H1852, List of Resident Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The AR must return Form H1852 to HHSC by the fifth day of every month, or the following business day if the fifth is not a business day. Repeated failure to return this form is a program violation. Use Form H1852 to help monitor the facility's compliance with its responsibilities as AR. Complete and send Form H1847, Reminder to Submit Form H1852, when the facility report is three days past due.

Ensure the AR has a supply of Form H1019, Report of Change, and postage-paid envelopes.

On-site visits to the facility must be made at least once every six months.

During these visits, use Form H1845, Drug and Alcohol Treatment (D&A)/Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facility Review, to document the:

• date of the visit;
• number of residents; and
• proof the facility continues to meet eligibility requirements.

Report suspected misuse of SNAP by the facility to the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) regional coordinator. Use Form H1845 or Form H1853, Documentation of Findings, to report suspected misuse after evaluating the monthly Form H1852 returned by the facility.

Ensure the facility returns the correct benefit amount to the person’s EBT account. If the facility is unable or unwilling to return the person’s benefits:

• send Form H1096, Notification Letter, to advise the facility of the overpayment;
• email Form H1095, Treatment Facility Fraud Referral, to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Benefits Program Integrity (BPI) mailbox; and
• immediately restore improperly accessed benefits to the person.

Note: If a household managed by Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) moves into a D&A or GLA facility, update the Living Arrangement record to convert the EDG back to SNAP and out of the CBS caseload.

Maintain a D&A or GLA facility case file in the local office for each facility. Keep copies of any forms, reports or supporting documentation in this file.

Related Policy

Residents of D&A Facilities, B-441
Residents of GLA Facilities, B-442
Resident Moves Out of a D&A or GLA Facility, B-447

B—443.1.1 Monitoring Facilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Information provided each month by facilities on Form H1852, List of Resident Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), must be monitored to ensure certified residents receive the correct amount of SNAP benefits.

Compare the information on the current month's Form H1852 to the information on the previous month's Form H1852 and clear any discrepancies. Consider the following questions in detail:

• Are the same residents certified?
• Did any of the residents move out during the month? If so:
  • Did the facility report the change and return the Lone Star Card within three business days?
  • Did the Lone Star account contain the correct benefit amount?
  • Was the EBT card accessed after the residents reported move out date?

If the facility fails to report residents who move out or fails to return the Lone Star Card, deny the EDGs following the D&A or GLA facility resident moves out procedure. Remind facilities of the responsibility as an AR to report moves and return the Lone Star Card within three days of the change. Complete Form H1853, Documentation of Findings, for monthly Form H1852, to document findings. If there are no findings, document no findings. Place a copy of the findings in the facility case file and provide a copy to the EBT regional coordinator responsible for the facility case file.

Related Policy 

Resident Moves Out of a D&A or GLA Facility, B-447

B—443.2 EBT Regional and Site Coordinator Responsibilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

EBT regional coordinators report misuse of SNAP benefits in facilities certified as retailers by the USDA by sending Form H1853, Documentation of Findings for Form H1852, to:

Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Eligibility Operations – State and Regional Operations
Mail Code 992-6
909 W. 45th Street
Austin, TX 78751

State office makes referrals to the OIG. If necessary, the USDA will send a copy to the EBT regional coordinator and subsequently, notification of any action taken.

Do not take any further adverse action on a facility certified by USDA before USDA's action. Compute over-issuances for each resident, as appropriate.

If OIG staff confirms the report is valid, OIG will refer the misuse to the USDA for its information and consideration for prosecution. The OIG sends a copy of the referral to the EBT site coordinator responsible for the facility case file and notifies the EBT regional coordinator of any action taken by USDA.

B—444 Overview of EBT Processes for Residents of D&A or GLA Facilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Establish the AR as the primary cardholder (PCH) and issue a Lone Star Card to access a resident's benefits in the food account. Allow the AR to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk or receive a vendor mailed PIN packet.

Some D&A or GLA facilities are certified by the USDA as SNAP retailers, and some are not. Regardless of SNAP retailer certification, the facility serves as AR and is responsible for the use of SNAP benefits of all residents who participate in SNAP (except for some GLAs). Benefits issued by EBT for residents of these D&A or GLA facilities are handled per one of the following three methods:

• An  EBT vendor contracts with D&A or GLA facilities certified by USDA as SNAP retailers to process EBT transactions in two ways:
  • If the D&A or GLA facility processes a minimum monthly value of SNAP transactions, an EBT vendor installs Point of Sale (POS) equipment on site. The facility, as AR and PCH, debits the residents' SNAP benefits by swiping each resident's Lone Star Card through their POS equipment and entering the associated PIN. An EBT vendor completes the financial settlement to pay the retailer the day after a SNAP transaction is completed.
  • If the retailer processes less than the minimum monthly value of SNAP transactions to receive POS equipment, an EBT vendor contracts with the retailer to use a manual voucher system to process EBT SNAP transactions from each resident's account. An EBT vendor completes the financial settlement to pay the retailer the day after a SNAP transaction is completed.
• D&A or GLA facilities that are not USDA-certified retailers do not contract with an EBT vendor to accept SNAP benefits. However, if the facility meets the D&A or GLA eligibility criteria for non-USDA certified retailers, residents of those facilities can still participate in the SNAP program with the facility AR responsible for the residents' SNAP benefits. In this situation, the facility AR is established as the PCH, a Lone Star Card is issued, and the AR can select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk or receive a vendor mailed PIN packet. The facility AR may use the food account, Lone Star Card and PIN to purchase food for the resident at a SNAP certified retail store or market.
  • Note: GLAs do not always serve as AR for each resident. If the GLA employee is not listed as a GLA-AR on a resident's SNAP EDG follow normal EBT issuance procedures. The resident uses the Lone Star Card to purchase food from a regular retailer or to purchase prepared meals from the GLA if the GLA is certified as a retailer by USDA.

Related Policy

EBT Vendor-Produced Materials, B-280
Residents of D&A Facilities, B-441
Residents of GLA Facilities, B-442

B—445 D&A or GLA Facility Responsibilities as ARs

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

The D&A or GLA facility acting as AR must:

• apply for and provide accurate information on behalf of a resident;
• use the Lone Star Card to debit the resident's food account;
• buy and prepare food for eligible residents;
• buy meals delivered to each resident;
• report the loss of USDA or DSHS certification or loss of nonprofit status to HHSC within 10 days;
• report any changes, losses, over-issuances or misuse of SNAP benefits;
• provide departing residents Form H1019, Report of Change, as appropriate, and advise the person to report their new address within 10 days;
• report and return the Lone Star Card issued for departed residents to HHSC within three business days after the person moves out, whether announced or not;
• ensure the security of all Lone Star Cards and PINs issued to the facility AR;
• ensure the departing resident's Lone Star Card contains all the SNAP benefits that are unspent when the resident moves out; and
• return Form H1852, List of Resident Participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), by the fifth day of every month, or the following  business day if the fifth day is not a business day.

Both, the resident and facility AR must sign the application form.

The facility, acting as an AR, is liable if it knowingly commits a program violation to obtain SNAP benefits for a resident.

The facility must maintain a sufficient supply of required forms. Form H1852, Form H1019 and HHSC return envelopes may be obtained from HHSC and will be offered to the AR at each certification.

Related Policy

Use of SNAP Benefits by D&A or GLA Facilities Which Serve as SNAP Authorized Representative (AR), B-445.1

B—445.1 Use of SNAP Benefits by D&A or GLA Facilities Which Serve as SNAP ARs

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

HHSC restricts how the D&A and GLA facilities may use the resident's benefits. Inform the facility AR of these rules during the interview and provide them with Form H1851, Reference Guide for Drug and Alcohol Treatment (D&A)/Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facilities.

Related Policy 

Account Access, B-445.1.1
Returning Unspent Benefits When a Resident Moves Out, B-445.1.3
Residents Moving Out Before the 16th of a Month, B-445.1.4

B—445.1.1 Account Access

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

HHSC issues a Lone Star Card to the facility AR and enables the AR to select a PIN through the PIN pad in the local office or the Lone Star Help Desk. HHSC allows the AR access only to benefits issued for a month the person is a facility resident. The facility may assign one person to serve as the AR to apply for the resident and another to serve as AR or PCH and use the Lone Star Card.

Note: When the D&A or GLA facility is the AR, the facility is responsible for all benefits in an account. Therefore, security of the card and PIN is as important to them as it is to a person not in a facility.

HHSC is unable to issue benefits to the D&A or GLA facility AR for a month the resident is in the facility when that month's benefits were already issued to the resident's existing food account. If the resident wants to allow the facility access to previously issued benefits, the resident has the following options:

For facilities that are not USDA-certified retailers, the resident may:

• use the card to purchase groceries to give to the facility; or
• make the D&A or GLA facility AR a secondary cardholder on the existing account to access those benefits. To establish the facility AR as a secondary cardholder:
  • staff must ensure that the person made this choice and approved it; and
  • EBT issuance staff must establish the secondary cardholder, issue the card and pend card registration.

For facilities that are USDA-certified retailers, the resident can:

• use one of the options listed above for facilities that are not USDA-certified; or
• use the Lone Star Card to purchase meals via the facility POS device or via the EBT manual voucher process. The facility may only charge for prepared meals on a per day basis, not in advance. In addition, the facility is not allowed possession of the card previously issued to the resident, nor knowledge of the resident's PIN. 

Related Policy

Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities, B-446

B—445.1.2 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

 

B—445.1.3 Returning Unspent Benefits When a Resident Moves Out

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

When a resident moves out of the D&A or GLA facility, the facility must return all unspent benefits issued to the AR's account regardless of when the resident moves out, even if it means returning all the resident's benefits. D&A and GLA facilities are not allowed to spend a resident's benefits after the resident moves out.

After a resident moves out, the facility must return the AR's EBT card and ensure the account contains all unspent benefits. For purposes of this policy, "spent" means the facility used the EBT Card to access the resident's benefits before the person moved out.

If the facility accesses benefits that it is not allowed to use, the facility must return the benefits to the account. USDA-certified facilities can return benefits using the POS device to process a return on the account or via communication with an EBT vendor. Facilities not certified as retailers by USDA must ask a retailer to process a return on the resident's account using the AR's EBT card on the store's POS device.

If the retailer cannot restore benefits to the EBT card, initiate a claim against the facility by sending Form H1096, Notification Letter, and sending Form H1095, Treatment Facility Fraud Referral, to the OIG Benefits Program Integrity (BPI) mailbox and restore benefits to the person.

Related Policy

Restored Benefits, B-800

B—445.1.4 Residents Moving Out Before the 16th of a Month

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

The D&A or GLA facility must return at least half of the monthly allotment for residents who move out before the 16th of the month. Therefore, although a facility can access more than half of the monthly allotment before the 16th, it is not a best practice to do so.

The D&A or GLA facility AR know the full allotment amount from the person's notice. If the EDG has recoupment, staff must notify the facility AR to use the Lone Star Help Desk (800-777-7EBT) to verify monthly benefits.

D&A or GLA facilities without a POS device must be cautious to ensure they do not use more than half of a resident's monthly allotment before the 16th of the month, because they have no POS device to process a return if the resident moves out before the 16th of the month.

B—446 Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Process SNAP EDGs for residents in D&A or GLA facilities using one of the following procedures, depending on the resident's situation at application.

At the time of disposition, staff must review the Issuance – Details page and the Alternate Payee – Summary page, to ensure that TIERS successfully included the PCH record for the facility AR.

Note: TIERS does not collect biographical data on D&A or GLA facility ARs, so TIERS cannot send this information to the EBT system.
 

B—446.1 New Resident (or Denied Resident with No Benefits in an EBT Account) Who Moves into a D&A or GLA Facility and Applies for SNAP

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

• Interview staff:
  • interview the AR;
  • advise the AR about the limitations noted on Form H1851, Reference Guide for Drug and Alcohol Treatment (D&A)/Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facilities;
  • provide EBT training material if the AR has not already received it;
  • send the PCH record for the facility AR to the EBT system by indicating in the TIERS issuance pages that there is an alternate payee. After the batch, complete Form H1175, EBT Change Request, to change the biographical information in the EBT system to the facility AR dispose the SNAP EDG; and
  • complete issuance.
• EBT issuance staff must:
  • issue a card to the AR;
  • print the EDG name in the space under the signature field on the back of the Lone Star Card; and
  • enable the AR to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk.
• The facility AR uses the card and PIN to access benefits in the food account. Note: If the resident also receives TANF, the cash account is not available to the D&A or GLA facility AR. The resident has a separate card and PIN for the cash account.

Related Policy

Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities, B-446

B—446.2 Resident Has an Active SNAP EDG (or a Denied-Ongoing SNAP EDG), No Benefits in the Food Account, and All SNAP Household Members Move into the D&A or GLA Facility

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Follow policy for a new resident who moves into a D&A or GLA facility. The D&A or GLA facility representative is added as AR for the existing SNAP EDG and the SNAP EDG is certified if it is currently denied.

Related Policy

New Resident (or Denied Resident with No Benefits in an EBT Account) Who Moves into a D&A or GLA Facility and Applies for SNAP, B-446.1

B—446.3 All Other Situations

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Assign the resident a new SNAP EDG number and certify the resident using the new EDG number to establish a separate EBT food account as a resident of a D&A or GLA facility with a facility AR.

• If the resident is on an active SNAP EDG (and all members are not moving into the facility), remove the person from the existing EDG before certifying on a new case. 
• If the resident is currently certified as a single person household on a previous case (but has a remaining benefit balance), certify the resident for SNAP with a certification period for the remaining months using a different case number. A new Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, is not required. The file date is the first day of the first month of the remaining certification period. Cross reference the other case in the TIERS Case Comments section of each case.

Enter the facility AR’s information in the Authorized Representative page and indicate in the Issuance – Details page that there is an alternate payee. Complete the subsequent Alternate Payee – Summary page.

Request card issuance and provide a completed Form H1175, EBT Change Request, to EBT issuance staff. EBT issuance staff enter additional data to the PCH record for the AR through the EBT system for the new EDG number. 

Related Policy

Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities, B-446
New Resident (or Denied Resident with No Benefits in an EBT Account) Who Moves into a D&A or GLA Facility and Applies for SNAP, B-446.1

B—447 Resident Moves Out of D&A or GLA Facility

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

Follow these procedures when the resident moves out of the facility:

• The facility AR:
  • notifies HHSC of the move; and
  • returns the Lone Star Card (in-person) for this account to the local office within three business days of the move. 
• Check the account balance to ensure the D&A or GLA facility returned the correct benefit amount. Ensure the facility returns any benefit amount spent to the resident’s food account after the resident moved out. Monthly benefits and account balance information are available on the EBT system benefit history screen. The EBT system transaction history screens provide information to verify if the AR debited the account after the resident moved out. Transactions are listed by date and time.
• Report violations according to staff responsibility policy.
• After ensuring benefits are properly returned, destroy the card according to procedures for returned Lone Star Cards.
• Follow procedure 1 or 2 below.
  1. If the facility reports the move and the former resident has not contacted HHSC:
     • Send the EDG name to the EBT system as the new PCH. Complete of Form H1175, EBT Change Request, and send to EBT issuance staff, who will use the information to update the PCH record in the EBT system.
     • Immediately remove the AR entries including any designations in the Issuance – Details and the Alternate Payee – Summary pages and update the address, if known.
     • Document in Case Comments the name of the facility and facility AR that are being removed. Do not issue a new card and PIN until requested by the former resident.
     • Follow normal adverse action procedures to deny the EDG.
        
  2. If former resident reports the move to another D&A or GLA facility:
     • Do not deny the existing active case.
     • Remove the former facility AR.
     • Document in Case Comments the name of the facility and facility AR that are being removed and the name of the new facility and facility AR that are being added and when.
     • Enter the new facility AR’s information in the Authorized Representative page and indicate in the Issuance – Details page that there is an alternate payee. Complete the subsequent Alternate Payee – Summary page.
     • Request card issuance and enable the new AR to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk.
     • Complete Part II of Form H1175 and send to EBT issuance staff, who will use the information to complete the new PCH record on the new AR via the EBT system. 
     • EBT issuance staff:
       • issue a card to the AR; 
       • report the PAN; 
       • print the EDG name in the space under the signature field on the back of the Lone Star Card; and 
       • enable the AR to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk.

Follow these procedures if the former resident moves in with another active SNAP household and the former resident will participate with that household:

• Deny the active D&A or GLA case and send Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, following regular adverse action procedures.
• Send the case name to the EBT system to change the PCH by removing all AR-related entries in TIERS, including any designations in the Issuance – Details and the Alternate Payee – Summary pages.
• Change the address to the resident's new address.
• Document in Case Comments the name of the facility and facility AR removed and the date. Cross reference the other case in the Case Comments section of each case.
• If there are still benefits in the account, complete a card issuance request to give the former resident access to the account and enable the person to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk.
• If updating PCH biographical information, complete Part II of Form H1175 and send to EBT issuance staff, who will update the PCH record in the EBT system.
• Add the former resident to the other household's SNAP EDG effective the month after any final benefits are received.

Follow these procedures if the former resident moves and no longer lives in a D&A or GLA facility or does not participate with another active SNAP household. Move the former resident's remaining months of SNAP certification to a different case (and thus a new food account) and:

• Send the case name to the EBT system to change the new PCH on the currently active case by removing all AR-related entries in TIERS including any designations in the Issuance – Details and the Alternate Payee – Summary pages.
• Change the address to the resident's new address.
• Document in Case Comments the name of the facility and facility AR that are being removed and when.
• Deny the former resident's active SNAP EDG. Do not send notice of adverse action since benefits are not actually being denied.
• Certify the former resident for SNAP with a certification period for the remaining months using a different case number. If the former resident has a previous denied-ongoing case, use it and associate the case number during Application Registration. Do not require a new Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits. The file date is the first day of the first month of the remaining certification period. Cross reference the other case in the Case Comments section of each case.
• Complete issuance request to give the former resident access to the account(s) by issuing a new card and enabling the person to select a new PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk.
• If updating PCH biographical information, complete Form H1175 and send to EBT issuance staff, who will update the PCH record in the EBT system.

Related Policy

Staff Responsibilities, B-433.1
Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities, B-446

B—448 D&A or GLA Facility Replaces the AR

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

To replace an AR, the D&A or GLA facility must provide a written request to HHSC.

Follow these procedures if a D&A or GLA facility replaces the AR. Do not replace Lone Star Cards for residents' accounts: 

• Interview staff:
  • change the name of the AR on all applicable TIERS cases by replacing the former facility AR with the new person in the Authorized Representative page and the Alternate Payee Summary page; 
  • document the change for each case and when the change occurred in Case Comments; and
  • complete Form H1175, EBT Change Request, for each case to update the existing PCH record with new AR name and biographical information; and 
  • complete a new Form H1846, Facility Authorized Representative Interview, at the first certification following replacement of the AR. 
• EBT issuance staff update the PCH record for each case in the EBT system and ensure the Form H1175 is included in each case record.

Related Policy

Application Processing for D&A or GLA Facilities, B-446

B—449 Verification Requirements

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Verify the facility meets the D&A or GLA facility eligibility criteria.

Related Policy

Residents of D&A Facilities, B-441
Residents of GLA Facilities, B-442
Questionable Information, C-920
Providing Verification, C-930

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—451 Eligibility Requirements

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

People residing in a family violence shelter may potentially qualify for SNAP, regardless of the number of meals the shelter provides, if the family violence shelter is an approved institution. A family violence shelter is an approved institution if it is a:

• certified SNAP retailer; or
• public or private nonprofit facility.

Residents in family violence shelters that are not approved institutions may potentially qualify for SNAP, only if the facility provides half of their meals or less. Consider this when determining if a person who resides in a facility is institutionalized.

Residents in eligible family violence shelters may receive SNAP benefits as individual household units or as part of a group of individuals like any other household.

Residents in family violence shelters may apply for SNAP and use SNAP benefits on their own behalf. Residents may also appoint a shelter representative or another person to act as AR or secondary cardholder.

Residents in shelters must meet the same income and resource standards as other households. Resources held jointly with the abuser are considered inaccessible. Room payments to the shelter are considered shelter expenses. These households have the same rights to notices of adverse action, fair hearing, and lost benefits as other households. Residents should be registered for work unless otherwise exempt.

Normal processing standards for initial and ongoing eligibility decisions, handling reported changes and other actions and usual verification and documentation requirements apply to residents in shelters for battered persons.

Related Policy

Nonmembers, A-232.1
Determining Whether an Person Who Resides in a Facility Is Institutionalized, B-490

 

B—452 Approved Centers That Provide Meals

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Family violence shelters that provide meals must be public or private nonprofit residential facilities that serve victims of family violence. If a facility serves other people, part of the facility must be set aside on a long-term basis to serve only family violence victims.

Advisors must verify the shelter's status as a nonprofit organization by seeing a current certificate from the IRS or a document from the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts. If the shelter is a USDA-certified retailer, the shelter's eligibility is verified.

 

B—452.1 Buying Meals

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

Individual households may use their SNAP benefits to buy meals prepared for them at a shelter that is a USDA-certified retailer.

 

B—453 Authorized Representatives

Revision 01-3; Effective April 1, 2001

SNAP

Employees of facilities that are USDA-certified retailers may not be authorized to serve as AR/secondary cardholders unless HHSC decides that there are no other representatives available.

If the shelter is not a USDA-certified retailer, the household may authorize a shelter representative as secondary cardholder.

 

B—454 Participation Twice in Same Month

Revision 10-4; Effective October 1, 2010

SNAP

A shelter resident can qualify for a duplicate SNAP benefit in a single month if:

• the resident's former household already received benefits for the month; and
• the resident's former household was based on a household size that included the resident, any children, and the person who abused or threatened to abuse them.

 

B—454.1 Duplicate Participation Procedures

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

Remove the resident from the former household's case.

Special certification procedures based on entries made on the Living Arrangements logical unit of work (LUW) allow duplicate participation until the resident is removed from the former household. Establish a new SNAP case and food account if the person is the case name or has a Lone Star Card on the previous case. The person must complete a new Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits.

If the person has not been removed from the former case:

• complete the certification process;
• issue the person a new Lone Star Card;
• pend card registration to enable the person to select a PIN through the Lone Star Help Desk; and
• issue benefits.

Related Policy

Issuing a Lone Star Card, B-233
Personal Identification Number (PIN) Selection, B-234
Benefit Issuance on Applications, B-252

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—461 Communal Dining or Meal Delivery Services

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Eligible individuals and their spouses may use SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals through communal dining or meal delivery services authorized by FNS.

To be eligible, a household member must:

• be age 60 or older;
• be housebound;
• have a physical disability;
• have a disability to the extent the member is unable to adequately prepare all meals; or
• be receiving SSI.

 

B—462 Prepared Meals for Homeless

Revision 12-2; Effective April 1, 2012

SNAP

Homeless individuals may use SNAP benefits to purchase prepared meals from meal providers authorized by FNS.

 

B—463 Staff Responsibilities

Revision 21-2; Effective April 1, 2021

SNAP

The Lone Star Card does not identify people qualifying for communal dining, meal delivery, or homeless people eligible for prepared meals. Use Form H1175, EBT Change Request, to send the primary cardholder (PCH) record and indicate in the endorsement box of Form H1175 either:

• Communal dining
• Meal delivery
• Homeless
• Every service

 

B—464 EBT Coordinator Responsibilities

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

If a meal-provider representative contacts HHSC about certification procedures, the advisor should refer the meal-provider representative to the EBT coordinator to approve these providers.

The EBT coordinator must ensure through discussion with the meal provider that the establishment:

• provides meals to homeless people, and
• is a public or private nonprofit organization as defined by IRS. HHSC may require the provider to present documentation from IRS to verify nonprofit status under §501(c)(3) of IRS regulations.

If the meal provider meets these requirements, the EBT coordinator will:

• obtain the meal-provider representative's signature on Form H1832, Affidavit for Meal Providers to the Homeless; and
• refer the provider to USDA, with the original, signed Form H1832, to apply for authorization as a retailer.

 

B—465 Matrix of Prepared Meals, Services, Households and Codes

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Prepared Meals

SNAP Recipient	Communal Dining (Public or Nonprofit Private)	Meal Delivery	Homeless Meal Provider (Public or Nonprofit Private)
Age 60 or older, not homeless	XX	XX
SSI recipient who is under age 60, not homeless	XX	XX
Under age 60, not an SSI recipient, housebound, a person with physical disabilities, or has disabilities to the extent they are unable to adequately prepare own meals		XX
Homeless only			XX
Homeless age 60 or older	XX	XX	XX
Homeless SSI recipient who is under age 60	XX	XX	XX
Endorsement status allowed to purchase from meal provider	Codes C,E	Codes C,M,E	Codes H,E
Codes: C – SSI/elderly member authorized to purchase prepared meals from communal dining facilities or meal delivery services. E – Homeless and either elderly or SSI household authorized to purchase from every service (communal dining, meal delivery services or homeless meal providers). H – Homeless household authorized to purchase from homeless meal provider. M – Housebound or a member with a disability authorized to purchase from meal delivery service.

Revision 05-5; Effective October 1, 2005

SNAP

Categorically eligible households are subject to fewer eligibility requirements than other SNAP households. HHSC uses special procedures to process applications from persons who potentially meet the categorical eligibility criteria. Categorical eligibility does not mean the applicants automatically receive SNAP.

B—471 Eligibility Criteria

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

SNAP households meet categorical eligibility criteria if:

• all members are approved for TANF cash assistance or SSI; or
• the household:
  • meets the resource criteria to be authorized to receive TANF Non-cash (TANF-NC) services (see A-1210, General Policy); and
  • has gross income less than or equal to 165 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Limit (FPIL) for its size.

This also includes households that have:

• active EDGs but whose benefits are being recouped; or
• a disqualified alien member or student who does not get TANF/SSI.

The household is not categorically eligible if:

• one or more members are disqualified from TANF or SNAP for an IPV; or
• the entire household is ineligible because the primary wage earner (PWE) failed to comply with E&T or voluntary quit requirements; or
• if the household is otherwise ineligible due to one or more members' disqualification for any reason.

For TANF-NC, a household is not categorically eligible if one or more members has a current SNAP IPV disqualification. If the household meets the combined resource limit of $5,000 for liquid assets and excess vehicle value, the household is still authorized to receive TANF-NC, and their remaining resources are exempt. The household is not exempt from the gross/net income limits.

B—472 Special Treatment for Households Meeting Categorical Eligibility Criteria

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Categorically Eligible TANF/SSI Households

Categorically eligible households are not subject to the resource or gross/net income limits. These households are exempt from verification requirements regarding:

• Social Security numbers (SSNs),
• resources,
• residence, and
• sponsored alien information.

Categorically Eligible TANF-NC Households

TANF-NC categorically eligible households are not subject to the gross/net income limits. Once the household passes the resource criteria for TANF-NC, the remaining non-liquid resources are exempt. TANF-NC categorically eligible households must comply with all other eligibility criteria.

Related Policy

General Policy, A-1210
Limits, A-1220
Prepaid Burial Insurance, A-1233.2
Vehicles, A-1238
How to Determine Fair Market Value of Vehicles, A-1238.5
General Policy, A-1310
Special Provisions for Households with Elderly Members or Members with a Disability, B-433

B—473 Application Processing

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must follow these procedures when processing a joint application for TANF and/or SSI and SNAP:

If the TANF/SSI application is pending and the household...	then ...
is eligible for SNAP without meeting categorical eligibility criteria,	certify the SNAP application as soon as possible. Follow normal SNAP time frames.
will not be eligible for SNAP unless the TANF or SSI application is granted,	delay denial of the SNAP EDG. Pend the SNAP application for up to 30 days awaiting the TANF/SSI decision. If the TANF/SSI application is denied on or before the 30th day, deny the SNAP application immediately. If the TANF/SSI application is granted by the 30th day, certify for SNAP as soon as possible. Prorate from the SNAP application date. If the TANF/SSI application is still pending by the 30th day: deny the SNAP application; and notify the individual on the denial notice to contact the certification office if the TANF/SSI is later granted. If the TANF/SSI application is granted after the 30th day: copy Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, and return the original to the applicant (the applicant must initial any changes, re-sign Form H1010, and return it to the local eligibility determination office); reopen the SNAP application when Form H1010 is returned; verify and document any changes since the initial interview; and prorate benefits from the original SNAP file date or the effective date of TANF/SSI benefits, whichever is later.*

* When prorating from the effective date of TANF/SSI benefits, use this date as the new SNAP file date. The effective date of benefits for TANF is the earlier of the certification date or 30 days after the file date. The effective date of benefits for SSI applicants is the:

• SSI file date; or
• date the individual met all eligibility criteria, if later than the file date.

Advisors must verify the SSI benefit effective date by viewing the award letter or by running Wire Third-Party Query (WTPY) or the State Online Query (SOLQ).

B—474 Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) Section

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP and Medical Programs

CBS is a centralized section that processes certain types of cases statewide.

Related Policy

Specialized and Centralized Casework Units, C-1471

B—474.1 Programs Administered by CBS

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP and Medical Programs

CBS administers SNAP and Medical Programs for several individual groups. For information concerning the SNAP Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP), which is one of the programs that CBS administers, see B-475, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP).

B—474.1.1 SNAP Programs

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

CBS administers SNAP for eligible SSI households as part of SNAP-CAP.

B—474.1.2 Medical Programs

Revision 20-4; Effective October 1, 2020

CBS administers medical programs for:

• children placed in or released from a Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) or Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) facility;
• former foster care children;
• women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer; and
• people incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) who receive inpatient services.

Related Policy

Centralized Benefit Services, B-540

B—474.1.2.1 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 20-4; Effective October 1, 2020

 

B-474.1.2.2 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 20-4; Effective October 1, 2020

 

B-474.1.2.3 Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth

Revision 17-2; Effective April 1, 2017

Policy for TP 70 — Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY), is explained in Part M, Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY).

B-474.1.2.4 Former Foster Care in Higher Education

Revision 17-2; Effective April 1, 2017

Policy for type Assistance (TA) 77 — Former Foster Care in Higher Education (FFCHE), is explained in Part F, Former Foster Care in Higher Education (FFCHE).

B-474.1.2.5 Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer

Revision 17-2; Effective April 1, 2017

Policy for TA 66 — Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC)-Presumptive, and TA 67 — MBCC, is explained in Part X, Medicaid for Breast and Cervical Cancer (MBCC).

B-474.1.2.6 Former Foster Care Children

Revision 18-1; Effective January 1, 2018

Policy for TA 82 — Medicaid for Former Foster Care Children (FFCC), is explained in Part E, Former Foster Care Children (FFCC).

B—474.2 Conversion of EDGs

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

EDGs are converted to CBS when a household is eligible for SNAP-CAP. 

After the local office completes an initial certification, an automated process converts EDGs that meet the criteria to CBS. The automated process occurs monthly at cutoff. HHSC mails the person a notice to inform them:

• that the EDG is handled by CBS, and
• to report household changes by:
  • calling 2-1-1;
  • entering the change in the Self-Service Portal; or
  • notifying HHSC via mail.

The notice includes contact information. Continue to accept changes and complete case actions until the EDG converts to CBS.

B—474.3 Methods of Reporting Changes

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP and Medical Programs

Local office staff may fax changes to CBS. The vendor will create a task for online or mailed changes.

Related Policy

Reporting Requirements, B-620

B—474.4 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 20-2; Effective April 1, 2020

 

B—474.5 Replacement of Lone Star Cards or Medical Care IDs

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

For recipients managed by CBS who request a replacement Lone Star Card or PIN, follow regular card and PIN replacement procedures.

Related Policy

Lone Star Card Replacement, B-235
PIN Replacement, B-236

Medical Programs

Replacement or temporary medical care ID cards (Form H1027-A, Medicaid Eligibility Verification; Form H1027-B, Medicaid Eligibility Verification - MQMB; and Form H1027-C, Medicaid Eligibility Verification - QMB) must be issued by local eligibility determination offices. The person can print an image of the medical care identification card and request a replacement online through YourTexasBenefits.com, or call 855-827-3748 to request a replacement.

B—474.6 Moving Cases Out of CBS

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

The CBS section:

• moves cases out of the CBS caseload if:
  • the household no longer meets the criteria to be a CBS case (earnings, loss of SSI);
  • household composition changes; or
  • because regional staff request the transfer under special circumstances;
• shortens the certification period as specified in B-474.6.1, Special Procedures for Shortening Certification Periods for Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) Eligibility Determination Groups (EDGs); and
• documents in TIERS Case Comments the reason for return.

The CBS section also returns untimely redetermination EDGs received in the month after the last benefit month to the task queue and documents in TIERS Case Comments the reason for return.

Medical Programs

Children's Medicaid – CBS moves completed Medicaid determinations, both active and denied, out of the CBS section.

B—474.6.1 Special Procedures for Shortening Certification Periods for Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) Eligibility Determination Groups (EDGs)

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

If the household reports a change that results in the household no longer meeting CBS caseload criteria, such as the loss of SSI benefits, an addition to the household, or moving into a GLA, then CBS staff move the EDG out of the CBS caseload.

Before moving the EDG out of the CBS caseload, CBS must take appropriate action based on the following criteria:

If the household's certification period is in ...	then ...
month 1-11,	if benefits: will increase or decrease, send the household Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, informing the individual that the last benefit month is month 12; and shorten the certification period to a 12-month total by processing a change action with the new benefit amount and change the last benefit month to month 12.
month 12-36,	if benefits: are being increased or decreased, send the household Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, informing the household that the certification period is being shortened because it no longer meets the criteria specified in B-474, Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) Section; and shorten the certification period to end on the last day of the month after the month Form TF0001 was sent. Note: CBS staff also must include Form H1830, Application/Review/Expiration/Appointment Notice, and Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, advising the individual how to file future applications.

B—474.7 Denied EDGs

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

The local office must perform an inquiry on denied EDGs to ensure the CBS section is not in the process of certifying the EDG.

Note: Advisors must accept Form H1840, SNAP Food Benefits Renewal Form, if received at the local office and the CBS SNAP EDG certification period has expired.

Medical Programs

The local office must coordinate with CBS to determine the effective date of certification when a youth certified for TP 70, TA 82, or TP 44 (Medicaid coverage to eligible youths in the custody of or released from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department), or an adult certified for TA 67, applies for Medicaid.

B—474.8 Opportunity to Register to Vote

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs

Advisors must mail Form H0025, HHSC Application for Voter Registration, to households who do not have a face-to-face interview, unless Form H0025 is requested through the Voter Registration Information Individual Demographic screen.

If the individual contacts the local office to decline the opportunity to register to vote after receipt of Form H0025, the advisor should mail Form H1350, Opportunity to Register to Vote, to the individual for a signature. The advisor sends the completed Form H1350 for imaging and retains the form for 22 months.

Related Policy

Registering to Vote, A-1521

B—475 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP)

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

B—475.1 Overview

Revision 23-4; Effective Oct. 1, 2023

SNAP-CAP

SNAP-CAP is a demonstration project to outreach older SSI recipients not currently certified for SNAP. Single SNAP-CAP households are certified for a standard SNAP-CAP allotment of either $144 or $233 based on their reported monthly shelter expense. 

The monthly SNAP-CAP allotment is:

• $144 for households with reported monthly shelter expenses less than or equal to $440 per month; and
• $233 for households with reported monthly shelter expenses more than $440 per month.

To be eligible for SNAP-CAP, a person must:

• be an SSI recipient;
• be 50 or older;
• live in Texas;
• not live in an institution that causes ineligibility; and
• not receive regular SNAP or TSAP benefits.

Additionally, a person is not eligible to participate in SNAP-CAP if the person is:

• a fleeing felon;
• disqualified due to an IPV; or
• disqualified due to a felony drug conviction that occurred on or after Sept. 1, 2015.

Other regular SNAP eligibility criteria does not apply to SNAP-CAP. 

Note: An SSI recipient may elect to switch from regular SNAP to SNAP-CAP.

Related Policy

Disqualified Persons, A-232.2
Switching from the Regular SNAP Program to SNAP-Combined Application Project (CAP), B-475.2.2

B—475.2 Application Processing

Revision 23-1; Effective Jan. 1, 2023

SNAP-CAP

HHSC identifies potential SNAP-CAP recipients by the Texas State Data Exchange (SDX) match process and automatically mails Form H1841, SNAP-CAP Application, to people potentially eligible for SNAP-CAP. For people who previously received SNAP benefits in Texas, the mail-out occurs two months after the last month a person received benefits in Texas.

After Form H1841 is returned, CBS staff certify the SNAP-CAP EDG for 36 months, provide notice of eligibility, and authorize an EBT account without a face-to-face or phone interview.

If a person receives a SNAP-CAP application and also applies for SNAP at the local office, coordinate the application process with CBS staff before making an eligibility decision in the local office. This will ensure that the person can make an informed choice about their preferred program. The person may voluntarily withdraw the other application.

If the spouse of an active SNAP-CAP participant submits an application at the local office, certify the spouse separately from the active SNAP-CAP participant. If the spouse appears potentially eligible for SNAP-CAP, explain the program and requirements outlined in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP). The SNAP application may be withdrawn if the person wants to participate in SNAP-CAP. Refer the person to 2-1-1. Document that the person was informed of the program and the SNAP application was withdrawn.

Fax a SNAP-CAP application returned to a local eligibility determination office to the non-expedited fax line at 877-447-2839 the same day it is received.

Expedited processing and benefit proration does not apply to the SNAP-CAP program. A standard allotment is issued for the month the application is returned.

Related Policy

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP), B-475

B—475.2.1 Identifying Intentional Program Violations (IPVs) and Felony Drug Convictions 

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

The Data Broker vendor will receive the monthly SNAP-CAP application file and will notify state office Eligibility Operations of any clients with active out-of-state SNAP IPV disqualifications and felony drug convictions.

State office staff will forward any IPV matches to the Customer Care Center-Electronic Disqualified Recipient System (CCC-eDRS) staff using secure Voltage email at HHSC Office of Eligibility Services CCC Open Investigation (HHSC OES CCC IC) who will complete a secondary verification and then forward a completed Form H1856, SNAP Out-of-State Intentional Program Violations, to OIG at CDU@hhsc.state.tx.us, and document this action in TIERS Case Comments.

OIG Centralized Disqualification Unit (CDU) staff will enter the IPV disqualification data from Form H1856 into TIERS and create a reported change task to notify the advisor of the disqualification. The CBS advisor then takes appropriate action to deny the application/EDG. Note: If CBS staff has not yet processed the application, TIERS will ensure it is denied if the application is subsequently filed and/or processed.

State office also shares any felony drug conviction data matches with CBS. CBS staff must follow policy in A-232.2, Disqualified Persons, to take adverse action.

B—475.2.2 Switching from the Regular SNAP Program to SNAP-Combined Application Project (CAP)

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

If an SSI recipient receiving regular SNAP benefits wants to switch to SNAP-CAP, the individual must contact CBS staff and request to withdraw from the regular program and apply for SNAP-CAP.

Within 10 days of receipt of the request and determination that the individual meets SNAP-CAP eligibility requirements, CBS staff:

• send the individual a notice of denial for the regular SNAP, using adequate notice procedures;
• terminate the person's participation in the regular SNAP as soon as possible (that is, the end of the month the individual made the request if the 10th day falls before the monthly computer cutoff, and no later than the end of the next month); and
• send the individual a SNAP-CAP application if the individual has not already filed one with CBS.

If HHSC fails to take action within 10 days to authorize denial of the regular SNAP EDG for the applicable month, HHSC restores any lost benefits as a result of untimely agency action.

HHSC does not provide a SNAP-CAP application to anyone who does not meet the SNAP-CAP eligibility criteria. CBS also certifies eligible individuals for SNAP-CAP if the individuals submit applications they obtained on their own. CBS will coordinate termination of the individual's participation in regular SNAP, if not already terminated. To avoid duplication of SNAP benefits when an eligible individual requests to switch from the regular SNAP to SNAP-CAP, CBS staff use a file date equal to the first day of the first month the individual qualifies for SNAP-CAP, if that date is later than the date the application form is actually received. CBS staff must document in TIERS Case Comments the reason for the modified file date as compared to the date on the application form.

Note: CBS staff may also cancel a month's regular SNAP issuance in order to expedite the recipient's switch to SNAP-CAP, if it is not too late to cancel that issuance. Refer to B-331, Cancelling Benefits in EBT Accounts.

B—475.3 Household Composition

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

A SNAP-CAP food unit consists of one person. Married individuals who are both receiving SSI are considered separate households and certified on individual SNAP-CAP EDGs. (See A-231, Who Is Included.)

A SNAP-CAP participant who resides in a household in which other members receive SNAP through the regular program is considered a separate household, regardless of how they purchase and prepare their meals. (See A-232.1, Nonmembers.)

Do not include a SNAP-CAP participant when determining regular SNAP eligibility for other household members. Follow policy in A-1326.1.1, Contributions from Noncertified Household Members.

A minor child residing with a SNAP-CAP participant may be certified as SNAP head of household. The SNAP-CAP participant must be listed as the AR on the minor child's EDG. (See A-231.)

B—475.4 Income

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP-CAP

SSI eligibility is verified weekly via the SNAP-CAP participant's SDX record.

B—475.5 Shelter and Utility Expenses

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

Advisors follow policy in A-1429, Shelter Costs, for separate households sharing shelter expenses, including standard utility allowance (SUA)/basic utility allowance (BUA), if applicable.

B—475.6 Changes

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

SNAP-CAP participants are not required to report changes. CBS processes shelter and address changes reported by SNAP-CAP participants.

CBS will mail Form H0025, HHSC Application for Voter Registration, to the individual when the individual reports a change of address. If the individual contacts CBS to decline the opportunity to register to vote after receipt of Form H0025, CBS will mail Form H1350, Opportunity to Register to Vote, to the individual for a signature. After the household returns Form H1350, the advisor sends the form for imaging and retains the image for 22 months.

State office uses SDX records to automatically update individual information on a weekly basis. The weekly SDX update results in a SNAP-CAP EDG denial if the individual no longer receives SSI, dies or moves to a nursing home.

Related Policy

Registering to Vote, A-1521

B—475.7 Issuing Benefits

Revision 22-2; Effective April 1, 2022

SNAP-CAP

CBS staff authorize EBT accounts for SNAP-CAP participants. Replacement Lone Star Cards may be obtained from local offices if the local office replacement criteria are met. Determine whether the SNAP-CAP participant can get a replacement card locally or request it from the Lone Star Help Desk.

Related Policy

Lone Star Card Replacement, B-235

B—475.8 Fair Hearings

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP-CAP

Follow policy in B-1000, Fair Hearings.

B—475.9 Claims

Revision 19-4; Effective October 1, 2019

SNAP-CAP

Staff file an overpayment referral when a household receives benefits it is not entitled to receive. This may occur based on agency error, applicant or recipient error or misunderstanding, through fraud or an Intentional Program Violation (IPV). OIG receives the overpayment referral and establishes a claim if the referral is valid.

SNAP-CAP households are subject to overpayment referrals and claims. Households may repay benefits through either recoupment or restitution. Recoupment is a method of recovering an overpayment claim by withholding a portion of the household's benefits. Restitution is a method of recovering an overpayment claim by the receipt of payments from the household paid to HHSC.

Related Policy

Claims, B-700
Filing an Overpayment Referral, B-770

B—475.10 Redeterminations

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

State office automatically mails Form H1842, SNAP-CAP Renewal Application, two months before the last benefit month. To reapply in a timely manner, the individual must submit the completed Form H1842 by the 15th day of the last benefit month.

CBS staff must process timely redeterminations by the last workday of the certification period. CBS staff certify the SNAP-CAP EDG for 36 months and provide a notice of eligibility without a face-to-face or telephone interview. Advisors must ensure that the individual's normal issuance cycle is not interrupted.

If CBS receives Form H1842 after the 15th day of the last benefit month, advisors certify or deny the application by the 30th day after the file date. Expedited processing and benefit proration do not apply to SNAP-CAP.

A Form H1842 returned to a local eligibility determination office must be faxed to CBS the same day it is received. The fax number is 1-877-447-2839.

B—475.10.1 Opting Out of SNAP-CAP

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP-CAP

Individuals currently receiving SNAP-CAP may choose to apply for traditional SNAP because they may be eligible for a higher allotment. If an individual returns Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, and chooses to opt out of SNAP-CAP, the local office must:

• contact and confirm the applicant wants to apply for benefits under regular SNAP;
• schedule an appointment for an interview;
• perform Application Registration using a different SNAP EDG number than the SNAP-CAP EDG number;
• determine if the individual would receive a higher allotment under regular SNAP;
• notify the individual of the allotment amount under regular SNAP and confirm if the individual wishes to withdraw from SNAP-CAP;
• contact 2-1-1 to request EDG closure because the individual wishes to withdraw from SNAP-CAP;
• confirm the SNAP-CAP EDG has been denied; and
• certify the individual for regular SNAP effective the first month the individual qualifies for benefits without duplicating benefits.

B—476 Joint Supplemental Security Income (SSI)-SNAP Applications

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

 

B—476.1 Applications Filed in the Social Security Office

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Households whose members are all applying for or receiving SSI may apply for SNAP at the SSA office unless the households already have a SNAP application pending. These individuals are not required to come to the SNAP office to complete the application or redetermination process. If more information is needed from the household, the advisor must contact the household by home visit, telephone, or mail.

SSA:

• accepts and completes the SNAP application during the SSI interview; and
• forwards the following items to the Document Processing Center within one workday after receiving the application:
  • the application;
  • Form SSA-4233, Social Security Administration Transmittal for Food Stamp Applications; and
  • any verification SSA has received.

The file date for the application is the date SSA receives the application. SSA notes this date on Form SSA-4233. When SSA receives additional verification after forwarding the application to the Document Processing Center, SSA sends the additional verification with Form SSA-4233.

B—476.1.1 Expedited Service

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors determine expedited services eligibility for SSI households the same as other households, except expedited time limits begin with the date the correct SNAP office receives the application.

SSA staff:

• screen the application for expedited services on the day they receive it;
• note "Expedited Processing" on the first page of Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, if the household appears to be eligible; and
• fax the application within one workday to the Document Processing Center's expedited fax number.

The individual may also take the application to the SNAP office.

B—476.1.2 Work Registration

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

SSI household members who apply for SSI and SNAP at the Social Security office are exempt from work registration until the SSA determines their eligibility for SSI.

Related Policy

SNAP Work Requirement Exemptions, A-1822.1

B—476.1.3 Special Review

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

For households applying at SSA, advisors process a special review during the third month of the certification period to determine whether the individual received a decision on the SSI claim.

B—476.1.4 Notice of Expiration

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

TIERS sends Form H1830-R, Texas Works Renewal Notice, to the SSI household:

• no earlier than the month before the last month of the certification period, and
• no later than the first day of the last month of the certification period.

The notice of expiration informs the individual:

• what programs are due for redetermination,
• verifications needed for the redetermination,
• when the redetermination application and verifications are due, and
• the individual's rights and responsibilities.

B—476.1.5 Reporting Changes

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

These households are subject to the same change reporting requirements as other SNAP households.

HHSC receives information on whether the SSI was granted or denied through an interface with SSA. Advisors must take action on information from this or any other source.

Related Policy

Reporting Requirements, B-620

B—476.1.6 Redetermination

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

Households in which all members are applying for or receiving SSI may file a redetermination for SNAP at the SSA.

The SSA office sends:

• the application,
• transmittal sheet (Form SSA-4233), and
• any available verification to the Document Processing Center.

B—476.2 Applications Filed in Public Institutions

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

SNAP

A resident of a public institution may jointly apply for SSI and SNAP while in the institution if scheduled for release within 30 days.

SSA staff:

• within one business day, send non-expedited applications to:
  • HHSC
    P.O. Box 149024
    Austin, TX 78714-9024; or
  • fax to 877-447-2839;
• within one business day, fax expedited applications to 866-559-9628;
• note "PRERELEASE" in red ink across the top of Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits;
• send Form SSA-4233 to HHSC; and
• give HHSC the name, address and phone number of a staff contact at the institution.

When the person does not have a post-release address, SSA holds the application for 30 days and documents its actions. SSA sends these applications and Form SSA-4233 to HHSC within one business day when:

• SSA receives a post-release residence address;
• release has occurred, but SSA has not received a post-release address;
• SSA denies SSI prior to release; or
• release from the institution is canceled.

HHSC staff:

• register the application; and
• pend the application until SSA notifies HHSC that the applicant has been released.

If the applicant is:

• not released, HHSC denies the application.
• released, HHSC determines eligibility for benefits, including expedited services. HHSC offers benefits to allow the person a chance to participate per the application processing time frames.

Note: The file date is the date the applicant is released from the institution. The file date is day zero.

Certification Period or Special Review — Process a special review during the third month of the certification period to determine whether the person receives SSI.

Related Policy

Application Processing, A-100

B—477 Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP)

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

 

B—477.1 Overview

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

TSAP

For the TSAP caseload, Texas is operating under a waiver. The waiver allows the state to provide a simplified application and certification process for certain persons applying for SNAP. TSAP provides a 36-month certification period and does not require an interview at recertification.

B—477.2 Application Processing

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

TSAP

Eligibility 

TSAP follows all regular SNAP policy and processes with the following differences:

To be eligible for TSAP, households must meet the following criteria:

• All household members are 60 or older, receive disability payments, or both;
• have no earned income; and 
• No household member receives SNAP benefits under the SNAP-Combined Application Project (SNAP-CAP).

Applications

People can apply for TSAP using Form H0011, Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) for SNAP Food Benefits, Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance – Your Texas Benefits, or online at YourTexasBenefits.com. 

At recertification, TSAP households are provided Form H1011-R, Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) for Food Benefits Renewal. They can also reapply using Form H1010, Form H1010-R, Your Texas Works Benefits: Renewal Form, or online at YourTexasBenefits.com. 

Applicants cannot select TSAP on Form H1010. However, new SNAP applicants and active SNAP households are tested for TSAP eligibility as part of the SNAP application and recertification process, regardless of the type of SNAP application submitted, and are certified for TSAP if eligible. Additionally, applicants who use the Form H0011 or H0011-R to apply for TSAP will be automatically tested for SNAP eligibility if not eligible for TSAP. 

Additionally, automated monthly screenings occur to identify Medicaid households that are potentially eligible for TSAP but are not currently receiving SNAP benefits. These Medicaid households will receive a TSAP application packet and an accompanying cover letter, Form H0011A, TSAP Outreach Cover Letter, detailing TSAP requirements and their potential eligibility.

Interviews

An interview is required at initial certification for TSAP, but waived at recertifications with the following exceptions:

• prior to denying a TSAP recertification;
• if information supplied by the household or authorized representative is questionable, incomplete or contradictory; or
• if the TSAP household requests an interview.

Verification

Accept the applicant’s statement and use data matching to verify as much information as possible. Only request more information from the household to resolve questionable information. Out-of-pocket medical expenses still require verification if the person wants to claim a medical deduction.

Related Policy 

Budgeting Medical Deductions, A-1428.2
Households with Elderly Members or Members with a Disability, B-430
Questionable Information, C-920

B—477.3 SNAP Conversion

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

TSAP

A TSAP household will convert to regular SNAP and maintain their assigned TSAP certification period if the TSAP household becomes ineligible for TSAP during their certification period (but remains eligible for SNAP) due to: 

• the loss of disability payments;
• an addition of a non-elderly or non-disabled member; or
• the receipt of earned income.

B—477.4 Change Reporting

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

TSAP

All TSAP households meet the streamlined reporting criteria and must report changes in accordance with the reporting requirements for this group. TSAP households will receive Form H0586, TSAP Change Reminder, once every 12 months during the 36-month certification period, reminding the household of what changes to report, how to report changes and the consequences of not reporting required information. TSAP households are not required to return Form H0586.

Related Policy

Streamlined Reporting Households, A-2350
Reporting Requirements, B-620

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

TANF

When household members on a TANF EDG that includes other-related children become ineligible, and the other-related children remain eligible for TANF, advisors must ensure the other-related children continue to receive TANF.

Advisors must:

• deny the TANF or TANF-SP EDG; and
• continue the TANF for the other-related children.

TP 08

If a caretaker relative who receives TP 08 based on caring for (an) other-related child(ren) receiving Medicaid becomes ineligible for TP 08 due to new or increased earnings or spousal support and begins receiving TP 07 or TP 20, the other-related child(ren) will also transition from their TP 43, TP 44, or TP 48 EDG to a TP 07 or TP 20 EDG.

 

B—481 EDGs That Include an Other-Related Child

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

 

B—481.1 At Initial Certification

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

TANF or TANF-SP

When a TANF EDG includes an other-related child, advisors must:

• explain to the household that the other-related child, if eligible alone, can continue receiving TANF even if the TANF for the other members of the household is denied. Denials include, but are not limited to, those because of:
  • resources,
  • earnings, or
  • child support.
• advise households that have an other-related child included in the TANF EDG to contact HHSC immediately if they receive a notice in the mail stating that their TANF or TANF-SP will be denied because they are no longer eligible for the 90 percent earned income deduction.
• set a special review to contact the household and continue TANF for an eligible other-related child when the EDG is expected to be denied because the 90 percent earned income deduction will be removed.

 

B—481.2 Before a TANF or TANF-SP EDG Is Denied

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

TANF

Advisors determine whether an other-related child is eligible for TANF on a separate EDG before the household's TANF is denied. Advisors must contact the household to ensure that the household wants the child's TANF to continue.

Advisors provide TANF to the other-related child without a break in benefits, if the other-related child is eligible alone and the household:

• wants the other-related child's TANF to continue, or
• cannot be contacted.

If more than one other-related child is in the household, other-related children who are not siblings are certified on separate EDGs. Exception: The individual may choose to combine EDGs if one EDG is ineligible separately but would be eligible if the members were combined.

The other-related child is kept in the original household group if the:

• child is not eligible alone, or
• the household does not want the child to receive TANF.

 

B—482 Separating Household Members

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

TANF

The eligibility system creates an EDG for the other-related child's TANF. Advisors must verify that each certified group contains the correct members. Advisors also must ensure that a new Lone Star Card is issued for the other-related child's new EDG. A new application is not required.

Note: These procedures ensure that TANF-SP EDG numbers follow the SP members.

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

People residing in institutions that are not approved are potentially eligible for SNAP, only if the person is not considered institutionalized. Approved institutions include homeless shelters, Drug and Alcohol Treatment (D&A), Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facilities, and family violence shelters.

Additionally, people who reside together and receive residential services from nonprofit organizations or for-profit providers who contract with HHSC to provide residential services may participate in SNAP, only if the person is not considered institutionalized.

Residential services providers may:

• manage a resident's personal funds at the request of the resident; or
• be the payee on the resident's SSI benefit check.

If the person requests the residential services provider to manage the resident's personal account, the provider must maintain a financial account for the person and a separate detailed record of all deposits and expenditures for each resident.

Residential services providers may not commingle the resident's personal funds with the provider's funds.

For people residing in a facility or receiving residential services, staff must determine whether a person is institutionalized for SNAP eligibility following the steps below:

Step	Yes	No
Does the person do their own shopping and preparation for more than 50 percent of their meals, or do the facility staff manage the resident's personal account (which can include SNAP benefits) and use those funds to purchase a majority of the person's meals and prepare them for the resident?	The resident is not considered institutionalized. The person is eligible for SNAP if all other SNAP eligibility requirements are met. Go to Step 3.	Go to Step 2.
Does the facility: contract with HHSC to furnish a majority of the resident's meals along with other services; provide a majority of the resident's meals from food purchased with money other than the person's funds; or charge the resident a standard fee for a majority of the person's meals?	The resident is considered "institutionalized" for purposes of SNAP eligibility since the contractor is providing most meals for the person. The resident can only qualify if the person meets the requirements for a resident of a nonprofit GLA.	The resident is not considered institutionalized. The person is eligible for SNAP if all other SNAP eligibility requirements are met. Go to Step 3.
Does the resident purchase and prepare their meals separately from others (including situations in which an attendant purchases food for the person with the person’s money and prepares the person's meals separately from other people’s), or does the resident intend to purchase and prepare separately after certification for SNAP?	The person can apply as a one-person household following regular policy.	People who purchase or prepare their food together must be included on the SNAP application. HHSC determines eligibility for all those purchasing or preparing together. Example: The facility uses every resident’s specific SNAP funds to purchase groceries and prepare meals for everyone together. In this example, all the residents must be certified together for SNAP.

Verify and document the answers to the questions in the chart. If the person designates provider staff as the AR and the AR states the attendant purchases meals or food using the person's funds, the AR must provide a detailed record of deposits and expenditures for these people.

Related Policy 

Applications from Residents of a Homeless Shelter, A-116.2
General Policy, A-210
Drug and Alcohol (D&A) or Group Living Arrangement (GLA) Facilities, B-440
Residents of GLA Facilities, B-442
Residents in Family Violence Shelters, B-450

 

B—491 Documentation Requirements

Revision 22-1; Effective January 1, 2022

SNAP

For households receiving residential assistance, document responses to the questions when determining if a person who resides in a facility is institutionalized.

Related Policy

Determining Whether a Person Who Resides in a Facility Is Institutionalized, B-490