Section 121.108  Transitional Food Stamp (TFS) Benefits

a)         For households receiving TANF and food stamps, Transitional Food Stamp (TFS) benefits shall be provided to TANF households whose TANF assistance is being terminated.

b)         Households that lose TANF assistance for one of the following reasons will not be eligible for TFS benefits:

            1)         noncompliance with TANF requirements;

            2)         moving out of State; or

            3)         inability to locate.

c)         Households are eligible to receive TFS benefits for 5 months beginning with the month of TANF termination.

d)         The TFS monthly benefit amount will be calculated based on the food stamp allotment the TANF household received the month before TANF assistance ended, minus the amount of unearned income from the terminated TANF grant and adjusted for any household members who have left the home.

e)         The amount of TFS benefits will stay the same for the 5-month TFS period unless during the 5-month TFS period a member leaves the household or the household reapplies and is approved for TANF.

f)         Other changes reported by the household or changes known to the Department during the 5-month TFS period will not affect the amount of TFS benefits.  A household will not be required to report changes during the TFS period.

g)         Households who believe they are eligible for more food stamp benefits have the option to reapply and have their eligibility determined under regular food stamp program rules (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 121).

h)         A household may reapply at any time during the 5-month TFS period.  If a household reapplies during the TFS period:

            1)         an interview will be scheduled; and

2)         a notice will be given to the household to provide required verifications within 10 days.

i)          The application for recertification will be denied and TFS benefits will continue until the end of the TFS period if the household:

            1)         fails to complete the interview process;

2)         fails to submit required verifications within the 10-day timeframe (see subsection (h)(2) of this Section);

3)         is determined to be ineligible for the program; or

4)         is determined eligible for the regular food stamp program (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 121), but is entitled to benefits lower than the TFS benefit amount.

j)          If a household is determined eligible for the regular food stamp program (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 121), its new certification period will begin the month following the month in which the household submitted the application for recertification.

k)         A notice will be sent to the household when the TANF termination is processed to inform the household:

            1)         of the TFS period;

            2)         of the amount of TFS benefits;

3)         that changes will not have to be reported or verified during the TFS period;

4)         that, if the household has a change in circumstances that may result in an increase in benefits, such as a decrease in income or an increase in expenses or household size, the household may reapply under regular food stamp program rules (see 89 Ill. Adm. Code 121);

5)         that, if a member leaves the household, TFS benefits will be adjusted;

6)         that, if the household reapplies and is approved for TANF, TFS benefits will be terminated and a recertification will be required;

7)         that, if the household chooses not to reapply and the reported changes result in a decrease in food stamp benefits, no action will be taken to decrease benefits until the TFS period has ended.

l)          Prior to the end of the TFS period, a notice will be sent to the household informing them to reapply.  If the household fails to reapply, their food stamp benefits will be discontinued at the end of the TFS period.

(Source:  Added at 29 Ill. Reg. 2701, effective February 4, 2005)