790-3          ACTING ON REPORTED CHANGES

The caseworker must examine each report of change to determine if action is required.  If action is required, the caseworker must determine how the change affects the family's continued eligibility and future benefit amount.  This action must be taken within 10 days of the agency's receipt of the report of change.

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

• A client has 10 days to report a change;  
   

• The case worker has 10 days from the agency’s receipt of the report to act on it; and
   

• In most situations the assistance unit must be given 10 days notice before adverse action is taken on the case.

790-3 A.     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.

• If the report of change includes all the information and verification needed to determine the family’s eligibility and benefit level, take action to increase the benefit.  Send adequate notice informing the family of its new benefit amount.  
   

• If required verification is not provided with the report of change send a notice to the family requesting the verification.  The family must be given at least ten days to provide this information.

790-3 B.     CHANGE RESULTS IN A DECREASED BENEFIT

If the report of change includes enough information to determine the family’s continued eligibility and benefit level, the caseworker must act to reduce the benefit and send the 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 family requesting verification of the change.  The family must be given at least ten days to provide this information.

790-3 C.     CHANGE RESULTS IN INELIGIBILITY

If the family 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 791-3 for situations where only adequate notice is required.

790-3 D.     CHANGE DOES NOT AFFECT ELIGIBILITY OR BENEFIT

If the family 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 EIS Eligibility Information System as appropriate.  The caseworker is not required to send the family a notice acknowledging the report.

790-3 E.     RECEIPT OF INCOMPLETE INFORMATION

The caseworker may receive a report of change that does not include enough information to determine the family’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 family must be given at least ten days to provide this information.