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

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Employment & Transitional Supports

SUBJECT:	NYSNIP Standard Benefit Amount Adjustments

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Food Stamp Bureau at (518)-473-1469

	

This is to remind districts of the changes to the Food Stamp NYSNIP Standard Benefit amounts that were migrated to the Upstate WMS system as part of the Jan 2007 MRBA/A on November 11, 2006.  This migration incorporated the annual adjustment to the NYSNIP Standard Benefit amounts that normally would have occurred for 10/1/2006, as well as the annual adjustment to benefit amounts that occurs because of the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).  Information regarding the WMS mass rebudgeting/reauthorization of NYSNIP benefit levels was provided in ABEL Transmittal 06-4 (pg 9), GIS 06 TA/WMS031 and GIS 06 TA/WMS032.  On the last page of this GIS is the table of NYSNIP Benefit Levels effective January 1, 2007 (also to be available on CentraPort under desk aides).  Below are further details about the two mass reauthorization changes affecting active NYSNIP cases and cases pending an automated (or worker-processed) NYSNIP opening or conversion. 

NYSNIP Standard Benefit changes January 1, 2007
NYSNIP benefit levels have been adjusted as part of the 2007 Jan MRB/A effective 1/1/07.  Affected cases appear on the ELIGBLES LIST of cases re-budgeted with ALERT ”U”- “NYSNIP CASE”.  NYSNIP cases will be notified by CNS notice of the change in benefits due to the annual adjustment of Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Benefits.  NYSNIP households in New York City and Nassau and Suffolk Counties affected by the mass reauthorization and having a Shelter Type of 94 (High Shelter/SUA-eligible) actually will receive an increase in FS benefits effective 1/1/07.  The COLA increase did not offset the Thrifty Food Stamp Plan (October 1, 2006) increase and higher shelter cost and SUA eligibility of these households.  NYSNIP households in the Rest of State having a Shelter Type 94, and all households having Shelter Types 95, 96, 97 or 98 will see a decrease in food stamp benefits due to the COLA.

Furthermore, the new NYSNIP FS benefit amounts (see attached table of NYSNIP Benefit Levels effective 1/1/07) will be effective for any ABEL NYSNIP FS Shelter Type budgets calculated as of November 13, 2006 with a FROM Date of 1/1/07 or later. 

$213 High Shelter Cost Threshold

Please note, as referenced below, that new NYSNIP households having cases opened, and existing NYSNIP households recertified, effective 1/1/07 or later and having shelter costs greater than $213 will be considered to be “High Shelter” (Shelter Type 94 or 96) cases by the standard of the project.  Conversely, effective 1/1/07, new and recertifying NYSNIP households having shelter costs of $213 or less will be considered to be “Low Shelter” (Shelter Type 95 or 97) cases by the standard of the project.  As noted in GIS 06 TA/WMS032, this change to the shelter threshold is scheduled to migrate on 12/01/06 for budgets having a from date of 01/01/07 or later.

$9 Restored NYSNIP Benefit effective October 1, 2006
The annual adjustment to the NYSNIP Standard Benefit amounts  that was to occur effective 10/1/2006 will take place retroactively for all active NYSNIP cases by issuance of a restored FS benefit of $9 as part of the Jan 2007 MRB/A.  This $9 restored benefit amount is the total of FS benefits owed NYSNIP households ($3 per month) for the months of October, November and December of 2006.  Please note that NYSNIP cases that are JAN 2007 MRB/A Exceptions will need to be provided with this $9 restored FS benefit following resolution of the MRB/A Exception.  NYSNIP budgets for December 2006, calculated and stored after November 13th will include the $3 TFP adjustment in the benefit amount for the month of December.  If a NYSNIP household excepted from the MRB/A has had a budget for December 2006 calculated and stored after November 13th, instead of a $9 restored benefit, they should be issued a $6 restored benefit for the months of October and November.

NYSNIP BENEFITS MATRIX BY SHELTER TYPES
 01/01/07

HOUSEHOLD	MONTHLY FOOD STAMP BENEFIT AMOUNT	
	New York City	Nassau/Suffolk	Upstate	
Shelter Type 94 (High Shelter/SUA)	SSI Only
SSI + Other	$155
$155	$155
$155	$147
$138	
Shelter Type 95 (Low Shelter/SUA)	SSI Only
SSI + Other	$104
$97	$97
$89	$81
$74	
Shelter Type 96 (High Shelter/ No SUA)	SSI Only
SSI + Other	$27
$19	$27
$19	$27
$19	
Shelter Type 97 (Low Shelter/ No SUA)	SSI Only
SSI + Other	$17
$13	$17
$13	$17
$13	
Shelter Type 98 
(No Shelter or SUA Data)	SSI Only
SSI + Other	$17
$13	$17
$13	$17
$13