This letter is to inform you that a five-year review has been conducted on rules 5101:4-4-03.3 and 5101:4-6-09, in accordance with Section 119.032 of the Ohio Revised Code. As a result, rule 5101:4-6-09 has been revised to incorporate "plain language." This is clear, simply stated language, written with the reader in mind. These revisions will allow for better clarity and more efficient administration of the Food Assistance Program. Various changes, which are described below, were also made to rules 5101:4-1-13 and 5101:4-4-13.

If no revisions are made to the proposed rules prior to their finalization by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, they will become effective on September 1, 2010. If changes are necessary, a copy of the revised rules will be forwarded to you at that time.

5101:4-1-13, "Food Assistance: Availability of Information, Program Administration, Office Operations, and Income Eligibility Verification System Information"

This rule has been amended. Paragraph (A)(3) has been revised to include the requirement for all county agencies to display the JFS 07207 "Your Food Assistance Rights in Ohio" and the JFS 08048 "Your Civil Rights" posters. This requirement was previously listed in the "User's Guide to Food Stamp Delivery," but when this rule becomes effective, the User's Guide will be obsolete and no longer accessible on the Internet.

5101:4-4-03.3, "Food Assistance: Resources Excluded by Law"

This rule has been amended. Paragraph (A)(22) has been added in order to exempt payments received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. The funds were excluded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Also, as a result of the five year rule review, we made various changes to minimize the use of abbreviations, to be consistent with other rules in the Food Assistance Certification Handbook.

5101:4-4-13, "Food Assistance: Types of Excluded Income"

This rule has been amended. Paragraph (D)(1)(aa) has been added in order to exempt payments received from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund. Abbreviations have been spelled out in order to be consistent with other rules in the Food Assistance Certification Handbook and for clarity.

5101:4-6-09, "Food Assistance: expedited service"

This rule has been rescinded and filed as new. The policy regarding expedited service has not changed; however, this rule has been rewritten in order to clarify the process for expedited service.

Instructions: The following chart identifies the material that should be removed from the Food Assistance Certification Handbook and the material that should be added.