Background

A recent federal regulation change requires county agencies to ensure that individuals do not receive food assistance while serving an intentional program violation. Also, the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has requested that we clarify the homeless standard deduction to ensure that the option to use either the actual cost or the homeless standard deduction is clear. Finally, Ohio has not previously had a rule establishing the process for determining benefit eligibility in shared parenting situations. A new rule is being proposed to explain this policy and to eliminate confusion. It includes guidance received from FNS concerning shared parenting situations.

The rules will become effective 07/01/2013.

The following is a brief description of the changes made to the amended rules, as well as the new rule:

5101:4-2-07, "Food assistance: initial interview procedure."

This rule is being amended to clarify that county agencies must confirm that assistance groups are not subject to an intentional program violation during the interactive interview. The JFS 07200 and JFS 04218 revision dates also were updated.

5101:4-4-23, "Food assistance: deductions from income."

This rule is being amended to clarify that the option exists to use either the homeless standard deduction or the actual shelter costs when determining eligibility for homeless assistance groups. In addition, all references to "AG" were changed to "assistance group." No changes were made affecting the eligibility of applicants or recipients, or to the way county agencies administer programs.

5101:4-6-02, "Food assistance: shared parenting."

This rule sets forth the policy for county agencies to follow when determining food assistance eligibility for a dependent child in a shared parenting arrangement.

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