When do I have to report changes if I am on change reporting?

"Change reporting" means you are required to report any changes within ten (10) days of when you learn of the change. 106 C.M.R. § 366.110(A). Most households with elder or disabled members are certified for 24 months of SNAP/food stamp benefits are put on "change reporting" because they tend to not have a lot of changes in terms of moving around, household members or income.

Change reporting requires you to report changes in income (of earned income of more than $100 per month, or unearned income of more than $50 per month); changes in source of income (e.g., you switch jobs); and changes in shelter costs, household composition, and child support payments. You must report these changes that might affect your eligibility for or the amount of your benefits (if you are not sure, it is safer to report).

If you are on change reporting, you can report changes by mailing or faxing a change report form or other letter to DTA, by telephoning your DTA worker, or going to DTA in person. Be sure to keep a copy of what you send and make a note about any telephone call or meeting. If you fail to report a change that would result in a decrease in benefits, you may face over-issuance and fraud changes. See Overissuances and Fraud.

In some cases DTA receives information about a change in your household due to returned mail, information from the Department of Revenue regarding income or a new job, unreported unearned interest income through Internal Revenue Service, a Registry of Motor Vehicle check, or other sources. As a condition of receiving benefits, DTA checks your information with other government sources available to them and your case may also be subject to a random quality control reviews by USDA. 106 C.M.R. § 360.600. If DTA receives information that was not already reported by you, they should contact you to discuss before denying or terminating your benefits.

Additional Policy Guidance on Reporting Changes