218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-2.22

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 218-RICR-20-00-2.22 - Interim Reporting

A. All RIW households are subject to Interim Reporting requirements.

B. Household composition and financial circumstances at the time of application will be the basis of the RIW benefit amount for the first (1st) half of the certification period unless the household reports a change during the certification period before the Interim Report period. The household composition and financial circumstances reported on the Interim Report will be the basis of the RIW benefit amount for the remainder of the certification period unless the household reports additional changes following the filing of the Interim Report.

2.22.1Household Responsibilities

A. In the fifth (5th) month of certification, households subject to Interim Reporting will receive an Interim Report form in the mail. Households must complete the form in its entirety and mail the form along with the required verifications back to the agency by the fifth (5th) day of the sixth (6th) month of certification.

B. Any responsible household member or authorized representative may complete the Interim Report. At the household's request, the agency can provide assistance to the household in completing the report. A household that submits an Interim Report by the fifth (5th) day of the sixth (6th) month of the certification period is considered to have made timely report. Failure to return the Interim Report form will result in closure of RIW benefits.

2.22.2Agency Responsibilities

A. Upon receipt of an Interim Report, the worker shall review the report; determine if any additional information is needed; contact the household as needed to obtain further information or verification (giving the household at least ten (10) days to provide information), and determine eligibility and benefits for the remainder of the certification period.

B. If a household fails to return the Interim Report form by the fifth (5th) day of the sixth (6th) month of the certification period, the agency must send a warning notice to the household. The household will have ten (10) days from the date of mailing to return the Interim Report form, along with all the necessary verifications, or the case will auto-close by the end of the sixth (6th) month of the household's certification period.

C. The agency must assess the returned Interim Report form for completeness (including the necessary verifications). If the Interim Report is incomplete or lacks required verifications of reported changes, the agency must send a request for any missing verifications, or return the original Interim Report form back to the household if it is not complete. The household will have ten (10) days to supply the missing information, verification, or to complete the form.

2.22.3Interim Report Verification Requirements

A. If a household marks "no change" on the Interim Report form, the report is considered complete.

B. In order to determine eligibility for the second (2nd) half of the household's certification period, the household must provide the following verification:

1. Changes of more than fifty dollars ($50.00) in unearned income (excluding changes in public assistance or general assistance programs);

2. Changes in the source of income;

3. Changes in either:

a. The wage rate, salary, or full-time or part-time employment status; or

b. The monthly earned income (including but not limited to rental income, room and board income, daycare income, and business income) if the difference is greater than one hundred dollars ($100.00) from the amount used to calculate benefits;

4. Changes in household composition;

5. Changes in residence and resulting changes in shelter costs, including changes in subsidized housing;

6. Changes in legally obligated child support payments;

7. Acquisition of a non-excludable vehicle; and

8. Verification of Resources is required as follows, based on program limits:

a. RIW - Over three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) and up to five thousand dollars ($5,000.00). Resources less than three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) can be self-attested to as long as there is no questionable discrepancy.

b. SNAP - up to two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for SNAP or three thousand dollars ($3,000.00) if the SNAP household includes a member who is age sixty (60) or over, or is disabled.

C. If verification of changes in earned or unearned income is not provided, benefits shall be terminated.

D. If the household fails to provide sufficient information or verification regarding a deductible expense (dependent care for a child, an elderly or disabled adult, or reported expenses for the household) the following applies:

1. A request for the missing documentation is sent to the household;

2. If the household does not respond within the ten (10) day timeframe with the required documentation to support the change, the case continues to be processed using the existing verified deductions in the case record, for the certification period under review, to calculate benefits.

E. Reports of a decrease in a deduction are changed without required verification.

2.22.4Incomplete Interim Report Form

A. An Interim Report form is incomplete if:

1. The head of household, responsible household member or Authorized Representative has not signed the form;

2. The household fails to submit verification of changes in earned income, changes in unearned income, or residency; or

3. The household fails to provide information needed to determine eligibility or benefit level.

B. If a household fails to provide verification of a deductible expense, there is no need to request verification because the household is not required to receive a deduction.

C. If a household fails to return the Interim Report form or the required verifications within the appropriate timeframe, the case will auto-close by the end of the sixth (6th) month of the household's certification period.

2.22.5Reinstatement of Benefits

A. If an eligible household files a complete Interim Report after the case has been closed, but before the end of the report month (month in which the report is due), the agency shall reopen the case without requiring the household to file an application and shall approve benefits no later than ten (10) days after the household normally receives benefits.

B. If a household files a complete Interim Report after the end of the report month but before the end of the month following the month in which it was due, the agency shall reinstate assistance and, if otherwise eligible, approve benefits within thirty (30) days from the date the Interim Report is received. Benefits for the month shall not be prorated and the household shall not be required to file a new application.

218 R.I. Code R. 218-RICR-20-00-2.22

Adopted effective 1/6/2019
Amended effective 2/16/2020
Amended effective 2/27/2022
Amended effective 11/11/2022
Amended effective 8/26/2023
Amended effective 11/4/2023