95. What changes do I need to report to DTA?
When you are approved for SNAP, you are “certified” for a set amount of time. This is called your certification period. During your certification period you may have to do paperwork to keep SNAP. You may also have to tell DTA about certain changes. At the end of your certification period, you must do a Recertification so DTA can determine if you are still eligible for SNAP.
After your SNAP is approved, DTA will send you a notice telling you what your reporting rules are, how long your SNAP certification period is, and what kind of certification type you have.
There are 5 different SNAP certification types with different reporting requirements. See the chart below.
SNAP certification types
| Certification Type | Which households? | What do I have to report and when? |
|---|---|---|
EDSAP: 36 Month Certification Period See Question 98 | Households where all adults are either age 60+ or disabled and have no earned income (can include children under 18) | Recertification at 36 months. No Interim Reports. Otherwise, only required to report if:
|
Simplified Reporting: 12 Month Certification Period See Question 96 | Most SNAP households, including families with children, working adults, SNAP households where some but not all members get TAFDC, unemployed adults, students, households formerly on EDSAP, etc. | Some households have an Interim Report at 6 months. Most households have a Recertification at 12 months. Otherwise, only required to report if:
Note: The ABAWD rules are currently suspended. |
Change Reporting: 12 Month Certification Period See Question 99 | “Public Assistance” cases – all members receive TAFDC (or some get TAFDC and some get SSI) or EAEDC cash benefits. | Recertification at 12 months. Also required to report a number of changes to household circumstances. |
Transitional Benefits Alternative (TBA): 5 Month Certification Period See Question 102 | Certain cases terminated from TAFDC due to income. | Recertification at 5 months. No reporting requirements. |
Bay State Cap: 36 Month Certification Period See Question 4 | Certain individuals receiving SSI. | Recertification at 36 months. No reporting requirements. |