16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9068
[7 CFR 273.10(f)]
DSS approves eligible households for a defined number of months called a certification period. The certification period is the period of time that DSS determines a household is eligible to receive benefits.
At the end of the certification period, entitlement to food benefits expires. DSS will not issue any further food benefits until the household completes a new application, is interviewed and provides all necessary verifications.
The first month for which the household is eligible to participate starts the first month of the certification period. DSS will assign certification periods according to each household's circumstances.
The certification periods for all households shall not exceed 12 months, except households listed in DSSM 9068.2.
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
Assign households subject to simplified reporting, except the elderly or disabled households per DSSM 9068.2, a 12-month certification period.
Households assigned a 12-month certification period are required to complete and return an interim report in the 6th month of the certification period.
2 DE Reg. 2271 (6/1/1999)
8 DE Reg. 114 (7/1/2004)
12 DE Reg. 462 (10/01/08)
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
Assign a 24-month certification period to households where all members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income.
Households assigned a 24-month certification period are required to complete and return an interim report in the 12th month of the certification period.
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
Assign each household the longest certification period possible based on its circumstances.
Households with unstable circumstances can be assigned a certification period consistent with their circumstances, but no less than 4 months.
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
Households certification periods will not be terminated before the assigned certification periods end except for the following reasons:
| · | DSS receives information that the household has become ineligible, or |
| · | The household fails to respond to a Request for Contact to resolve unclear information. |
Households certification periods will not be shortened due to loss of cash assistance or change in employment status.
Close or adjust households benefits in response to reported changes according to DSSM 9085.
Do not use the Notice of Expiration to shorten a certification period.
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
When needed, lengthen a household's certification period after it has been assigned as long as the total months of certification do not exceed 12 months.
Inform households whose certification is lengthened of the new certification ending date with a notice containing the same information as the notice of eligibility.
13 DE Reg. 1086 (02/01/10)
16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9068