U.S. Government Accountability Office

Simplified Definition of Income (4102)

1.
The Simplified Definition of Income option (Section 4102) allows states to exclude additional types of income by aligning food stamp policy with TANF or Medicaid policy, with some exceptions.

What is the current status of the Simplified Definition of Income option in your state?
(CHECK ONLY ONE ANSWER)
1. Chosen and implemented this option
2. Chosen but not yet implemented this option
3. Neither chosen nor implemented this option
4. No response

2.
From the list below, please check the reasons why your state chose the Simplified Definition of Income option.
(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
1. Easy to program into existing computer system
2. Decrease workload for workers (e.g., number of contacts with client, time spent on paperwork)
3. Simplify rules for workers (e.g., eligibility, benefit, and change reporting rules)
4. Simplify rules for clients (e.g., eligibility, benefit, and change reporting rules)
5. Increase in benefit amounts for clients
6. Decrease burden on clients (e.g., time spent applying or reporting changes, amount of paperwork)
7. Promote self-sufficiency among clients
8. Increase overall participation in program
9. Increase participation of working families
10. Increase participation of elderly and/or disabled
11. Increase application process timeliness (i.e., percent of applications processed within required time limits)
12. Works well with other Farm Bill options state chose to implement
13. Makes it easier to align food stamps with TANF
14. Makes it easier to align food stamps with Medicaid
15. Decrease error rate
16. Lower administrative costs
17. Other (Please describe below.)

 
If there are other reasons why your state chose this option, please describe them here. (Click in the text box below and begin typing your response. The box will expand to accommodate your response.)

3.
Did your state experience any challenges in implementing the Simplified Definition of Income option (e.g., computer programming, training workers, educating clients, FNS Guidance)?
(CHECK ONLY ONE ANSWER)
1. Yes
2. No
3. No response

4.
You indicated that your state has neither chosen nor implemented the Simplified Definition of Income option. From the list below, please check the reason(s) your state did not choose this option.

(CHECK ALL THAT APPLY)
1. Too difficult to program computer system
2. Would increase workload for workers (e.g., number of contacts with client, time spent on paperwork)
3. Would complicate rules for workers (e.g., eligibility, benefit, and change reporting rules)
4. Would complicate rules for clients (e.g., eligibility, benefit, and change reporting rules)
5. Little or no increase in benefit amounts for clients
6. Very few clients would be affected by change
7. Would increase burden on clients (e.g., time spent applying or reporting changes, amount of paperwork)
8. Would not encourage clients to transition from welfare to work
9. Would decrease overall participation in program
10. Would decrease participation of working families
11. Would decrease participation of elderly and/or disabled
12. Would decrease application process timeliness (i.e., percent of applications processed within required time limits)
13. Would not work well with other Farm Bill options state chose to implement
14. Would make it more difficult to align food stamps with TANF
15. Would make it more difficult to align food stamps with Medicaid
16. Would have little or no advantage over policy rules already in place
17. Would increase error rate
18. Would raise administrative costs
19. Other (Please describe below.)

 
If there are other reasons your state did not choose this option, please describe them here. (Click in the text box below and begin typing your response. The box will expand to accommodate your response.)


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