TO:	Commissioners; FS Directors; TA Directors, WMS Coordinators; CAP Coordinators

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

SUBJECT:	Delayed Mailing of “Important Information About New Food Stamp Reporting Rules” for Elderly/Disabled Households

EFFECTIVE DATE:	May 10, 2004

CONTACT PERSON:	Eastern Regional Team 

On April 2, 2004, the New York State OTDA issued 04ADM-2 advising social services districts of a federally required change in food stamp reporting for certain households.  Specifically 04 ADM-2 provided that food stamp households in which all adults are elderly or disabled and without earnings must comply with 10-day change reporting rules, instead of six-month reporting rules.  The OTDA sent approximately 180,000 notices to affected households informing them that they are subject to the ten-day reporting rules, and they must report certain changes to their local district by May 10, 2004.  Mailing of these approximately 180,000 notices was finished during the week of April 26, 2004.  Due to the delay in mailing some of the notices, we are extending the deadline by which the affected households must report changes that have occurred since their last six-month contact.  Districts must consider a change report from an elderly/disabled household without earnings to be timely if it is received by June 10, 2004.  Districts must not establish claims for overpayments of June 2004 food stamp benefits for elderly/disabled households without earnings, based on their failure to timely report changes, unless they failed to report a required change at their last recertification or six-month contact.