603-3          DETERMINING THE MONTHLY ALLOTMENT

After the net income has been determined, the monthly allotment can be calculated.  The allotment is based on the net income and expenses, the household size and the designated rural/urban location.  The allotment amount is determined by EISEligibility Information System.  It can also be calculated manually.

The household receives a full month allotment for each month of participation except the initial month.  During the initial month the household is only entitled to the prorated share of benefits based on the number of days the household is certified to participate.  The prorated allotment is calculated by EISEligibility Information System .  It can also be calculated manually.

Except for the initial month, eligible one and two-person households are entitled to a minimum benefit. See Addendum 4 for the minimum benefit amounts.

603-3 A.    CALCULATING THE MONTHLY ALLOTMENT

SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program allotment calculations are performed by EISEligibility Information System .  Refer to Addendum 7, SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Budget Work Sheets, for instructions on the manual calculation of SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program monthly allotments.

1. Initial Month Allotment Less Than $10

If the computation results in an allotment of less than $10, no issuance is made for the initial month.  Eligible one or two-person households entitled to the minimum allotment shall not receive SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in the initial month if the prorated amount is less than $10.

2. Initial Month Allotment When Necessary Action is Not Taken Timely

After the pend notice is sent, if the household fails to complete the application process (fails to provide requested verification or fails to participate in a required interview) by either the 30th day from the application filing date or the end of the pend period stated on the pend notice, whichever is later, it loses benefits for the month of application.  If the household then takes the necessary action within 60 days from the application filing date, benefits are prorated from the date the household takes the necessary action.  See MS 601-5F to determine the cause for the delay.

Example #1:  

A household applied May 1, was interviewed on May 7th and given 15 days to provide verification.  The household did not provide the verification until June 15.  The new benefit start date is June 15.  The household is not entitled to SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for May.

Example #2:  

A household applied May 1, missed a scheduled interview appointment on May 10, and contacts the office on June 20 to reschedule the interview.  Since the household contacted the office prior to the 60th day but after 30 days from application date, the new benefit start date is June 20, and the household loses benefits for the month of May.