TO:	Commissioners; TA Directors; FS Directors; Staff Development Coordinators

FROM:	Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner
	Division of Temporary Assistance/WMS

SUBJECT:	Clarification of 24 month certification periods for food stamp households where all the adult members are elderly/disabled
EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Eastern Regional Team @ 1-800-343-8859 ext. 3-1469

This message provides clarification of the federal option, as described in 01 ADM-08, to assign certification periods of up to 24 months to food stamp households in which all adult household members are elderly or disabled.

The OTDA has proposed amendments to State regulation in 18 N.Y.C.R.R 387.17 to permit this federal option.  This is to update districts that the amendments are currently in the regulatory process.  This option will be available to districts upon finalization of the regulatory amendments.  

As stated in 01 ADM-08, districts electing this option must notify Patricia A. Stevens, Deputy Commissioner of the OTDA Division of Temporary Assistance.  However, implementation of the 24-month certification period option will be delayed until the proposed regulations are filed.  Districts will be advised, via a follow-up GIS message, when the regulation permitting 24-month certification periods for these food stamp households has been finalized.