Certification Type Overview
The certification type of a case dictates the reporting requirements for the client, what action the Department may take and the period of eligibility. The certification type assigned to a household depends on a variety of factors including household composition and types of income. DTA certifies SNAP cases under one of the following types:
Certification Examples
Refer to the scenarios below to review how certification types are assigned by BEACON. The household composition may influence other factors such as the:
- application of a gross income limit;
- waiver of a recertification interview;
- lifting of the shelter cap; and
- option to claim medical costs.
Scenario 1
Cindy Lahiri is 35 years old. She has a 10 year old daughter and a 6 year old son. She was approved for SNAP benefits. Cindy works as a receptionist at a local doctor’s office. She is paid $11.00 per hour at 40 hours per week. Her son is disabled and receives $750.00 in SSI income. Cindy pays $950.00 per month for rent and is responsible for all utilities.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
X Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months X 12 months _24 months _36 month
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
_Yes X No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
X Yes _No
Scenario 2
Daniel Castellano is 40 years old. He was approved for SNAP benefits as a household of 1. Daniel has no sources of earned or unearned income. He is an Able Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD) and does not meet any exemptions to the ABAWD Work Program. He currently lives with a friend and does not pay rent or utilities.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
X Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months X 12 months _24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
_Yes X No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
_Yes X No
Scenario 3
Jeremy Reed is 62 years old and applied for SNAP benefits with his wife Anna Reed (60 years old) and their grandson Ben Reed (8 years old). Jeremy and Anna each receive $1,200.00 in RSDI income each month. The household also receives $750.00 in DOR Child Support from Ben’s absent parent. Jeremy pays $1,500.00 per month for his mortgage and is responsible for all utilities.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
X Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months _12 months X 24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
X Yes _No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
X Yes _No
Scenario 4
Morgan Tookers is 61 years old and applied for SNAP benefits with his wife Tamra Tookers (55 years old). Morgan receives $1,000 in RSDI income each month. Tamra is disabled and receives $850 in SSI income each month. Morgan and Tamra live in public housing and pay $555.00 per month for their rent with all utilities included.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
X Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months _12 months X 24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
X Yes _No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
X Yes _No
Scenario 5
Jessica Day is 35 years old and was approved for EAEDC and SNAP benefits. Her disability was verified through UMASS Disability Evaluation Services and meets social security standards. Jessica is pending SSI. Her only source of income comes from the $303.70 she receives in monthly EAEDC benefits. Jessica currently lives with her grandmother and is not charged for rent or utilities.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
X Change Reporting
_ Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months X 12 months _24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
X Yes _No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
X Yes _No
Scenario 6
Nick Miller is 40 years old and was approved for TAFDC and SNAP benefits for himself and his 10 year-old daughter Natalie. Nick is currently working part time at Dunkin Donuts and is paid $100.00 per week. Nick lives in private housing, but receives a Section 8 subsidy in the amount of $950.00 per month. His share of market rent is $100 per month. He is eligible for the Heating and Cooling SUA because he is on fuel assistance.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
X Change Reporting
_ Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months X 12 months _24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
_Yes X No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
_Yes X No
Scenario 7
Winston Bishop is 45 years old and was recently approved for SSI and SNAP benefits through SSA. While applying for SSA benefits, Winston indicates that he wanted to receive food assistance. Winston receives $750.00 in SSI and $192.00 in SNAP. He lives by himself in senior housing and pays $225.00 a month for rent. All of his utilities are included in this amount.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
_ Simplified Reporting
X Bay State Cap
_ TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
_5 months _12 months _24 months X 36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
X Yes _No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
X Yes _No
Scenario 8
Cece Schmidt and her son Noah were former TAFDC clients who transitioned off the program. Cece is now working. Her earned income put her over the income limits for TAFDC. When her cash case closed, her SNAP case was reclassified and assigned a new certification type and timeframe. Cece works full time at Target and makes $440.00 a week. She rents an apartment for $950.00 a month and was credited for the nonheating SUA.
Based upon these details, what Certification type will BEACON assign to the HH?
_ Change Reporting
_ Simplified Reporting
_ Bay State Cap
X TBA
What is the length of the HH’s certification period?
X 5 months _12 months _24 months _36 months
Does the HH have a gross income limit?
X Yes _No
Is the HH eligible for a lifted shelter cap?
_Yes X No
Is the HH eligible for a waiver of the recertification interview?
_Yes X No
Is there a HH member who is eligible to claim medical costs?
_Yes X No
Last Update: April 4, 2019