FATL 388 (Five Year Rule Review: Resource Standards, Exempt Resources and Special Resource Situations)
Food Assistance Transmittal Letter No. 388
August 3, 2018
TO: All Food Assistance Manual Holders
FROM: The Office of Legal and Acquisition Services
SUBJECT: Five year rule review: resource standards, exempt resources and special resource situations

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 rules; rescind the rules; or continue the rules 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 9/1/2018.

Chapter 4000

5101:4-4-01 "Food assistance: resource standards."

The rule describes the resource standards for individuals applying for or receiving the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) amended this rule. Minor language changes were made for clarity and the term “CRIS-E” was replaced with “statewide automated eligibility system.” No substantive changes were made.

5101:4-4-03 "Food assistance: exempt resources."

The rule describes the resources that are exempt from SNAP. OFA amended this rule. Language changes were made for clarity and the term "food assistance" was replaced with "supplemental nutrition assistance program." A change was made to paragraph (A)(1)(c) to clarify that the value of a lot that the assistance group is purchasing is exempt if the assistance group does not currently own a home. Also, changes were made in paragraph (A)(4) to clarify that burial plots and funeral arrangements are two distinct resources and to remove the dollar limit in order to align with federal rules. A change was made to (A)(8) to further clarify how verification of information may be obtained. In paragraph (A)(10)(f) the citation to section 1111.19 of the Revised Code was removed because the section was repealed.

5101:4-4-07 "Food assistance: special resource situations."

The rule describes the policies surrounding special resource situations for SNAP. OFA amended this rule. Minor language changes were made for clarity. The term “battered women” was replaced with “battered persons,” and the term "food assistance" was replaced with "supplemental nutrition assistance program.”