FATL 420 (Five-Year Review: Categorically Eligible Assistance Groups and Verification Procedure)
Food Assistance Transmittal Letter No. 420
August 12, 2021
TO: All Food Assistance Manual Holders
FROM: Matt Damschroder, Director
SUBJECT: Five-Year-Review: categorically eligible assistance groups and verification procedure.
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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 Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has completed a review of the following rules and these rules have been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The changes will become effective on 9/01/2021.

Chapter 2000

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

This rule describes which assistance groups are considered categorically eligible and what eligibility factors are waived as a result of being categorically eligible.  Changes to the rule include: 

  • All references of food assistance have been updated to supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP);
  • All references to Disability Financial Assistance (DFA) have been removed due to the program being obsolete.  Paragraph (B) was stricken and the paragraph order was reorganized; 
  • All references to the Ohio benefit bank were removed and replaced with the Ohio careline;
  • Language removed from new paragraph (D)(1)(d) and placed in paragraph (D)(2)(c) because it was incorrectly listed under paragraph (D)(1);
  • Paragraph (F) was stricken and reordered due to the DFA program being obsolete; and
  • Minor grammatical and date changes for clarity.

5101:4-2-09 "Food assistance: verification procedure."

This rule describes the verification procedure for the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP).  Changes to the rule include: 

  • The term "food assistance" was replaced with "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)";
  • Paragraph (D)(10) was amended for clarity;
  • Removed the reference to Disability Financial Assistance (DFA) in paragraph (E)(1) due to the program being obsolete;
  • Removed the reference to the Ohio benefit bank in paragraph (E)(2) and replaced it with the Ohio careline;
  • The term "reapplication" was replaced with "recertification";
  • Paragraphs (K)(1) and (K)(3) were amended to align with federal regulations; and
  • Minor grammatical changes for clarity.