Tracking #2009-00xxx
Emergency 3/6/09, eff. 4/1/09

I:/09030301.rtf
[I:/09030301.doc]

(10 CCR 2506-1)

[Instructions: insert paragraph before line 1514142.] 

Revisions to Sections B-4010.11 and B-4230 were adopted on an emergency basis at the 3/6/2009 State Board meeting, with an effective date of 4/1/2009 (Rule-making# 09-3-3-1). Statement of Basis and Purpose and specific statutory authority for these revisions were incorporated by reference into the rule. These materials are available for review by the public during normal working hours at the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Boards and Commissions, State Board Administration.

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[Instructions: replace lines 1549819 through 1549826.] 
B-4010.11  REDUCTION, SUSPENSION OR CANCELLATION PROCEDURES [Rev. eff. 4/1/09]
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to reduce, suspend or cancel food stamp benefits if it is necessary to keep program spending within the limits set by Congress. Upon notification from FNS, the State Office shall instruct food stamp offices to reduce, suspend or cancel food stamp benefits for one or more months. Food stamp offices shall take immediate action in accordance with the following procedures:
A.  Reduction of benefits
If the State Office instructs the food stamp offices to reduce monthly food stamp allotments, the State shall notify the food stamp offices of the date the reduction is to take effect. If an allotment reduction is necessary, allotments shall be reduced for each household size by the same percentage. If a benefit reduction is necessary, all households shall be guaranteed a minimum allotment allowed for one and two person households, unless the reduction is ninety percent or more. Revised issuance tables reflecting the percentage of reduction shall be provided to all food stamp offices.
The food stamp offices will adjust allotments at the point of issuance. If an FS-9 (household issuance record) system is utilized, the county/state issuance offices shall record, in the certification data section of the FS-9 Card, the coupon allotment that the household was eligible to receive. The food stamp issuance office shall record, in the record of issuance section of Form FS-9, the coupon allotment that the household was issued. This will provide record of benefits household was entitled to receive and benefits the household actually received under required benefit reduction.
B.  Suspension and Cancellation
If the State Office instructs the food stamp offices to suspend or cancel Food Stamp Program Benefits, the food stamp offices shall be informed of the date that the suspension or cancellation shall take effect. Upon receipt of this date, the counties shall take immediate action to effect the suspension or cancellation. This action shall include notification of certification and issuance personnel, as well as eligible households (see B-4010.15). In the event that cancellation or suspension of benefits is necessary, the provision for the minimum benefit level shall be disregarded and all households shall have their benefits suspended or cancelled.
If allotments are cancelled or suspended, food stamp offices shall record, in the certification data section of the FS-9 Card, the monthly allotment the household was entitled to receive.

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[Instructions: replace lines 1549969 through 1549977.] 
B-4230  COUPON ALLOTMENTS AND IDENTIFICATION CARDS [Rev. eff. 4/1/09]
After eligibility has been established, the monthly coupon allotment will be determined. The eligibility technician shall use either the basis of issuance charts furnished under separate transmittal letter or the following formula to determine the monthly allotment.
A.  Multiply the net monthly income by 30%.
B.  Round the product up to the next whole dollar if it ends in 1 through 99 cents.
C.  Subtract the result from the Thrifty Food Plan table shown below for the appropriate household size. If computation results in $1, $3, or $5, round up to $2, $4 or $6 respectively.
D.  If the allotment for a one- or two-person household is less than $10, round the allotment up the minimum benefit allowed for one- or two-person household.
The food coupon allotment tables will be adjusted as announced by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, and the information will be sent in an Agency Letter to all county department of social/human services, as well as posted on the CDHS web site.