POLICY CHANGE:

Oregon recently received word of a change in the Food Stamp program. Congress increased the excess shelter expense deduction as a part of the Food Stamp Program Appropriations Act for Federal Fiscal Year 2001. This increase in the excess shelter expense deduction applies only to those households completing a new application or reapplication with a certification start date of March 1, 2001 or later. The excess shelter expense deduction will not change for those households with a current certification start date earlier than March 1, 2001.

FCAS and FS CALC have been programed with the change in excess shelter expense deduction. No action is required at the local branch level unless an overissuance is being computed on a case that is certified March 1, 2001 or later.

March 1, 2001, the computer will look at the certification start date. If the household is certified for food stamp benefits March 1, 2001 or later, the computer will allow the lessor of the actual shelter costs or $340. If the household has a certification start date for FS before March 1, 2001, the computer will continue to allow the lessor of the actual costs or $300.

BRANCH OFFICE ACTION REQUIRED: Review policy changes with branch staff.

CENTRAL OFFICE SUPPORTING ACTIVITIES:

Computer: FCAS and FS CALC were programmed to allow the new excess shelter expense deduction on cases with a certification start date of March 1, 2001 or later.

Policy: Incorporate this policy change into the Family Services Manual, FS Chapter, Section G.2 for the April release.