604-4 A.      ACTING ON REPORTED CHANGES

The caseworker must examine each report of change to determine if action is required.  Refer to MS 604-4.  If action is required, the caseworker must determine how the change affects the household's continued eligibility and future benefit amount.  This action must be taken within ten days of the agency’s receipt of the report of change.

The 10-10-10 rule determines when a change in a household’s situation affects the household’s eligibility and benefits.

• A household has 10 days to report a change;
• The caseworker has 10 days from the agency’s receipt of the report to act on it; and
• In most situations, the household must be given 10 days notice before adverse action is taken on the case.

1. Change Results in an Increased Benefit

The caseworker must increase the benefit or request verification within ten days of the agency’s receipt of the report.  Required verification must be obtained before the benefit is increased.

1. If the report of change includes all the information and verification needed to determine the household’s eligibility and benefit level, take action to increase the benefit.  Send adequate notice informing the household of its new benefit amount.  
2. If required verification is not provided with the report of change, send a notice to the household requesting the verification.  The household must be given at least ten days to provide this information.

2. Change Results in a Decreased Benefit

If the report of change includes enough information to determine the household’s continued eligibility and benefit level, the caseworker must act to reduce the benefit and send notice of adverse action within ten days of the agency’s receipt of the report of change.  This action is taken even if verification of the change is not included with the report.

The caseworker must then send a notice to the household requesting verification of the change.  The household must be given at least ten days to provide this information.   

3. Change Results in Ineligibility

If the household reports information that causes ineligibility, the caseworker must act to close the case and send notice of adverse action within ten days of the agency’s receipt of the report.  No verification of the change is required.

Note:

Some changes that result in case closure do not require a notice of adverse action.  See MS 604-5C for situations where only adequate notice is required.

4. Change Does Not Affect Eligibility or Benefit

If the household reports a change that does not affect their eligibility or benefit amount, document the report of change in the case record and update the information in EISEligibility Information System as appropriate.  Send the household a notice telling them that the change was received and it had no affect on their benefit.  

5. Receipt of Incomplete Information

The caseworker may receive a report of change that does not include enough information to determine the household’s continued eligibility or benefit amount.  When this occurs, no action to increase or decrease benefits is taken until verification of the change is received.

Send a notice requesting the verification needed to clarify the report.  The household must be given at least ten days to provide this information.