This letter is to inform you that a five-year review has been conducted on the rules listed below, in accordance with Section 119.032 of the Ohio Revised Code. As a result, all five rules have 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.

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 February 1, 2011. If changes are necessary, a copy of the revised rules will be forwarded to you at that time.

There are no changes to these rules that will directly affect the eligibility of an applicant/recipient or how any county agency will administer the program. The following is a brief description of the changes to each rule.

Chapter 7000

5101:4-7-08, Food assistance: new hire reporting program (W-4).

This rule has been rescinded and filed as new. It explains in detail what a county agency must do with the new hire alerts. The rule has been rewritten in a question-and-answer format, using plain language.

5101:4-7-09, Food assistance: state income and eligibility verification system.

This rule has been rescinded and filed as new. It explains in detail what a county agency must do to process a state income and eligibility verification system match. This rule has been rewritten in a question-and-answer format, using plain language. In addition, the following abbreviations were spelled out to improve clarity: SWICA (State Wage Information Collection Agency), BEER (Benefit Earnings Exchange Record) and USDA (United States department of agriculture).

Chapter 8000

5101:4-8-03, Food assistance: restoration and entitlement of lost benefits.

This rule has been rescinded and filed as new. It explains the process a county agency must follow to determine whether an assistance group is entitled to a restoration of benefits. It also explains the process the assistance group must follow if it does not agree with a county agency's decision. This rule has been rewritten in a question-and-answer format, using plain language.

Instructions:

The following chart identifies the material that should be removed from the

Food Assistance Handbook and the material that should be added.