5101:4-4-01 Food assistance: resource eligibility standards.

(A) Definition of resources

In determining the resources of an assistance group , the following shall be included and documented by the county agency in sufficient detail to permit verification.

(1) Liquid resources, such as cash on hand, money in checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, stocks or bonds, and lump-sum payments as specified in rule 5101:4-4-07 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Nonliquid resources, personal property, buildings, land, recreational properties, and any other property such as boats, vacation homes, and mobile homes, provided that these resources are not specifically excluded under rule 5101:4-4-03 of the Administrative Code. The value of nonexempt resources shall be the equity value. The equity value is the fair market value less encumbrances.

(3) For assistance groups containing sponsored aliens as defined in rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code, resources shall also include that portion of the resources of an alien's sponsor and the sponsor's spouse (if living with the sponsor) that has been deemed to be the alien's in accordance with the procedure established in rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code, unless the sponsored alien is otherwise exempt from this provision in accordance with rule 5101:4-6-31 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Resource eligibility standards

The county agency shall apply the uniform national resource standards of eligibility to all applicant assistance groups, including those assistance groups in which members are recipients of federally aided public assistance, local or state assistance, disability assistance or supplemental security income.

(C) Limits for resource value

Resource limits are reviewed and adjusted annually. The amounts are updated in the client registry information system enhanced and the county agencies are notified of the amounts by issuance of a food assistance change transmittal, which can be found in the food assistance certification handbook at the Ohio department of job and family services website: http://emanuals.odjfs.state.oh.us/emanuals.

(D) Application of resource limits

Available resources at the time the assistance group is interviewed shall be used to determine the assistance group's eligibility.

(E) Resources must be identified on the application in sufficient detail to permit verification. During the interview, the county agency should review with the applicant the resources reported as well as the possibility of unreported resources. Since resource eligibility is deemed to assistance groups considered categorically eligible, requiring a categorically eligible AG to verify its resources is not permissible. However, categorically eligible assistance groups shall complete the resource sections of the application form to permit verification at a later date if it becomes necessary. For all other assistance groups, at a minimum, the county agency shall verify resource information for any AG if the information is questionable. To be questionable, information on the application must be inconsistent with statements made by the applicant, other information on the application or previous application or with information received by the project area or county agency. Documentary evidence shall be used as the primary source of verification, although collateral contacts, e.g., banks, retailers, or real estate firms, may also be sources of verification if written verification is unavailable.

(F) Nonexempt resources

The resources outlined in paragraph (A) of this rule shall be counted in determining an assistance group's eligibility, unless otherwise excluded. The nonexempt resources of an assistance group shall be documented by the county agency in sufficient detail to permit a reviewer to determine the reasonableness and accuracy of the eligibility or ineligibility determinations.

Effective: 02/01/2012
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 06/01/2013
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 5101.54
Rule Amplifies: 329.04, 329.042, 5101.54
Prior Effective Dates: 6/2/80, 4/1/81, 9/27/82, 6/1/83, 6/17/83, 12/25/83 (Temp.), 2/1/84 (Temp.), 4/1/84, 8/1/86 (Emer.), 10/1/86, 1/16/87 (Emer.), 4/6/87, 12/1/91, 8/1/92 (Emer.), 10/30/92, 5/1/95, 8/1/95 (Emer.), 10/13/95, 9/28/98, 10/1/02 (Emer.), 12/5/02, 6/1/03 (Emer.), 6/16/03, 6/12/08