16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9086
[7 CFR 273.12(e)]
Certain changes are initiated by the State or Federal government which may affect the entire caseload or significant portions of the caseload. These changes include adjustments to income eligibility standards and the shelter care deduction; adjustments to the maximum food stamp allotment and standard deduction; annual and seasonal adjustments to utility standards, periodic cost- of- living adjustments to RSDI, SSI, and other Federal benefits; periodic adjustments to TANF, RCA or GA payments; and other changes in the eligibility and benefit criteria based on legislative or regulatory changes.
See Administrative Notice:
A-15-99 October 1999 Cost of Living Adjustments
12 DE Reg. 1329 (04/01/09)
DSS will implement these changes for all households at a specific point in time. Adjustments to Federal standards shall be implemented prospectively regardless of the household's budgeting system. Annual and seasonal adjustments in State utility standards shall also be implemented prospectively for all households.
Although notices of adverse action are not required for such changes [see DSSM 9006.3(1)], individual notices may be sent and the various changes will be publicized through the news media, at issuance offices and at other sites.
Households whose certification periods overlap a seasonal variation in the utility standard will be advised at the time of initial certification of when the adjustment will occur and what the variation in the benefit level will be, if known.
If the Division makes mass changes to public assistance grants and has at least 30 days advance knowledge of the amount of the public assistance adjustment, food stamp benefits will be recomputed to be effective in the same month as the public assistance (TANF, RCA or GA) change, or, if the Division does not have at least 30 days advance knowledge, the food stamp change will be effective not later than the month following the month in which the public assistance change was made.
Monthly reporting households must report the change on the appropriate monthly report, but are not required to report these types of changes outside the monthly report. Handle the information provided on the report in accordance with normal procedures. Households not subject to monthly reporting are not responsible for reporting these changes.
16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9086