FATL 349 (Five-Year Review)
Food Assistance Transmittal Letter No. 349
May 20, 2015
TO: Food Assistance Certification Handbook Holders
FROM: Cynthia C. Dungey, Director
SUBJECT: Five-Year Review: categorically eligible assistance groups, income standards, determining monthly food assistance benefits, anticipating income and expenses, mass change during the certification period; and reducing, suspending, or cancelling food assistance benefits.

In accordance with section 106.03 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), each state agency is required to review each of its rules in the Ohio Administrative Code a minimum of once every five years. The intent of the review is to ensure that Administrative Code rules are clearly written and that program requirements are accurate, up-to-date and clearly expressed. To the extent possible, unnecessary paperwork will be eliminated, local agencies will be given increased flexibility, and any adverse impact on businesses will be eliminated or reduced. As a result of the review, the agency may amend the rule; rescind the rule; or continue the rule without amendment.

The rules have been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The rules will become effective on June 1, 2015.

Chapter 2000

5101:4-2-02 "Food assistance: categorically eligible assistance groups."

The rule describes which assistance groups are considered categorically eligible and what eligibility factors are waived as a result of being categorically eligible. OFA amended this rule. There were minor language changes for clarity and the term CRIS-E was replaced with statewide automated eligibility system. No substantive changes were made.

Chapter 4000

5101:4-4-11 "Food assistance: income standards."

The rule describes how the income eligibility standards are issued. OFA amended this rule. Minor language changes were made for clarity. No substantive changes were made.

5101:4-4-27 "Food assistance: determining monthly food assistance benefits."

The rule describes how to determine monthly food assistance benefits. OFA amended this rule. There were minor language changes for clarity and the term CRIS-E was replaced with statewide automated eligibility system. No substantive changes were made.

5101:4-4-31 "Food assistance: anticipating income."

The rule describes how the county agency anticipates income and expenses. OFA amended this rule. The rule was put into question-and-answer format for clarity and changing all references of "AG" to "assistance group". No substantive changes were made.

Chapter 7000

5101:4-7-03 " Food assistance: mass change during the certification period."

The rule describes the procedure county agencies shall follow during a mass change of food assistance. OFA amended this rule. The rule was put into question-and-answer format for clarity and changing all references of "AG" to "assistance group" and "PA" to "public assistance". No substantive changes were made.

5101:4-7-13 "Food assistance: reducing, suspending, or cancelling food assistance benefits."

The rule describes the procedures to be followed if the secretary of the United States department of agriculture (USDA) mandates a reduction, suspension, or cancellation of monthly food assistance allotments in order to stay within federal appropriations pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2027 (02/2014). OFA amended this rule. The rule was put into question-and-answer format for clarity and changing all references of "AG" to "assistance group" and "PA" to "public assistance". No substantive changes were made.