Semi-annual reporting means that you do not have to report income, household or expense changes to DTA during the six month period you are approved for benefits, you only have to report changes at twice a year (semi-annually!) While some households have to report changes within 10 days of when they happen, households certified on semi-annual reporting do not!
There is one very important exception to this rule: You must report during the six-month period if your income— including income of anyone who moves into your household— goes over the gross income limit for your household. 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(C)(3). See Appendix B: Income and Benefits Standards, Charts 2 and 3, for the gross income limits. If your income goes above the gross income limits, you must report this change right away— within ten (10) days following the month that the change becomes known to you. When you are approved for semi-annual reporting, DTA will send you a notice explaining the rules and what level income you must report.
The households that are usually put on semi-annual reporting are households that have earned or unearned income or history of income— other than income from TAFDC or EAEDC cash assistance or self-employment— and homeless households. 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(C).
Reporting changes even if not required
Even though you are not required to report changes (as long as your income stays below the gross income limit), it may help to do so. If your income goes down or your expenses go up, DTA is required to act on the information you report and increase your SNAP/food stamp benefits. 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(C)(4)(a)(2). On the other hand, if you report an increase in income goes up or decrease in rent or other expenses, DTA will not reduce your benefits during the semi-annual reporting period. You will continue your benefits at the current amount and not decrease them. 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(C)(4)(a)(1). This is the best of both worlds! Again, the only time DTA can stop benefits is when your gross income goes above the gross income test for your household.
Example
Suzyn is on semi-annual reporting and is not required to report any changes for the next five months. The first month of her semi-annual period, she was working 30 hours a week. The second month, her employer reduced her time to 20 hours a week. If Suzyn reports the drop in earnings, DTA will recalculate her SNAP/food stamp benefits using her lower wages. Suzyn will get more benefits because she reported the change in income. Her benefits will stay at the higher level, even if her employer increases her hours next month!
Example
In this case, Suzyn is still working 30 hours a week. She takes on another job for an additional 10 hours a week. Suzyn is also paying less rent as she was just approved for a subsidy. Her total gross earnings are still below the gross income test (200% FPL) for her family of four. She reports to DTA both the increased income and reduced shelter cost changes. DTA will not reduce her benefits until the start of the next semi-annual reporting period. DTA will then recalculate her benefits at the next reporting period using the income and expenses she reports at that time.
What happens at the end of the semi-annual period
Before the end of your six-month semi-annual period, DTA will send you a form to report changes. This form will be preprinted with the information in DTA's records. You should update the information in the form, fill in any blanks (like your earnings) and send it back to DTA with required proofs (including your most recent pay stubs). DTA will schedule an interview with your DTA worker (usually by phone). See Does DTA have to interview me and what happens if I miss the interview?
If you do not send this form back or fail to send the proofs, your benefits may stop. However, if you get missing proofs in within 30 days of the date that your case closes, your case should be reopened.
Which households do not have semi-annual reporting
- Households where one or more members get TAFDC and must submit monthly income reports, or get TAFDC under a time-limit extension; Households where all members are elderly or disabled with no earned income, or households which have never had any income source;
- Households where one or more members get TAFDC and must submit monthly income reports, or get TAFDC under a time-limit extension;
- Households with self-employment income; and
- Households getting five months of Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA), after which they should then go on semi-annual reporting.
See 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(C)(1).
Advocacy Reminders
- It is a good idea for a household to report changes in income or expenses even if on semi-annual reporting. If household income goes down or expenses go up, DTA will increase the benefits. However, if the income is higher or expenses lower, DTA will not lower the SNAP/food stamp benefit amount (unless the income exceeds the gross income limit).
- For any households subject to an overpayment for failure to report a change in income or household status, be sure to check if the household was on or DTA should have put them on semi-annual reporting. There is no overpayment for failure to report changes during the semi-annual period, unless the income exceeded the gross income limit.
- Able bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) should be put on semi-annual reporting if they have income or a history of income, or are homeless. Because ARRA suspended the ABAWD work rule, these individuals are not required to be on change reporting.
Additional Policy Guidance on Semi-Annual Reporting
Additional Policy Guidance on Semi-Annual Reporting
- Re-certification forms pre-filled with household member information, address, shelter costs, child care, medical expenses; no need to re-verify most eligibility factors or expenses that have not changed. DTA Field Operations Memo 2010-03 (Jan. 19, 2010)
- New verifications are not required if no changes reported in household expenses at USR time. If a change in expenses (shelter, medical) is reported without documentation, the expense will be zeroed out in the calculations. DTA Field Operations Memo 2010-55 (Nov. 23, 2010), DTA Transitions (Nov. 2005)
- Household shelter and medical expenses must be verified at initial application and recertification, even if no change. Lack of verification will trigger zero-out of deduction even if no change. DTA Transitions (Oct. 2005)
- Applicant awaiting decision on Unemployment Insurance claim should still be put on semi-annual reporting; worker should open the case without counting the UI income if decision on UI claim not made by day 29. DTA Transitions (Apr. 2004).
Produced by Patricia Baker, Laura Gallant, Deborah Harris, Rochelle Hahn Massachusetts Law Reform Institute Last updated January 2011
