Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1240 - Human Services
Subtitle 1240-01 - Family Assistance Division
Chapter 1240-01-17 - Timeliness Standards
Section 1240-01-17-.03 - ACTION WHEN FOOD STAMP DETERMINATION PRECEDES AFDC DETERMINATION
As a result of differences in Food Stamp and AFDC Application processing procedures, the worker may have to determine Food Stamp eligibility prior to determining eligibility for AFDC payments. Action on the Food Stamp portion of the application shall not be delayed nor the application denied on the grounds that the AFDC determination has not been made. If the worker can anticipate the amount and the date of receipt of AFDC payment but the payment will not be received until a subsequent month, the worker shall vary the household's Food Stamp benefit level according to the payment and notify the household. Portions of initial payments intended to retroactively cover a previous month shall be disregarded as a lump sum payment. If the amount or the month of receipt of the initial AFDC payment cannot be reasonably anticipated at the time of the Food Stamp eligibility determination, the payment shall be handled as a change in circumstances. The worker is required to send Notice of Disposition if the receipt of the AFDC grant reduces or terminates the household's Food Stamp benefits. However, the household is not entitled to a 10 day advance Notice of Adverse Action because the household was notified in advance on the Application Form for Assistance that its benefits could be reduced or terminated when the grant was received. Households whose AFDC applications are denied shall not be required to file a new Food Stamp Application but shall have their Food Stamp eligibility determined or continued on the basis of the original application filed jointly for PA and Food Stamp purposes and any other documented information obtained subsequent to the application which may have been used in the AFDC determination and which is relevant to Food Stamp eligibility or level of benefits.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 14-8-106 and 14-8-110; 45 CFR 206.10.