§ 2015. Eligibility disqualifications
(a)
Additional specific conditions rendering individuals ineligible
In addition to meeting the standards of eligibility prescribed in section
2014 of this title, households and individuals who are members of eligible households must also meet and comply with the specific requirements of this section to be eligible for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
(b)
Fraud and misrepresentation; disqualification penalties; ineligibility period; applicable procedures
(1)
Any person who has been found by any State or Federal court or administrative agency to have intentionally
(B)
committed any act that constitutes a violation of this chapter, the regulations issued thereunder, or any State statute, for the purpose of using, presenting, transferring, acquiring, receiving, or possessing program benefits shall, immediately upon the rendering of such determination, become ineligible for further participation in the program—
(iii)
permanently upon—
(II)
the second occasion of a finding by a Federal, State, or local court of the trading of a controlled substance (as defined in section
802 of title
21) for benefits;
(III)
the first occasion of a finding by a Federal, State, or local court of the trading of firearms, ammunition, or explosives for benefits; or
(IV)
a conviction of an offense under subsection (b) or (c) of section
2024 of this title involving an item covered by subsection (b) or (c) of section
2024 of this title having a value of $500 or more.
During the period of such ineligibility, no household shall receive increased benefits under this chapter as the result of a member of such household having been disqualified under this subsection.
(2)
Each State agency shall proceed against an individual alleged to have engaged in such activity either by way of administrative hearings, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing at the State level, or by referring such matters to appropriate authorities for civil or criminal action in a court of law.
(3)
Such periods of ineligibility as are provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall remain in effect, without possibility of administrative stay, unless and until the finding upon which the ineligibility is based is subsequently reversed by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, but in no event shall the period of ineligibility be subject to review.
(4)
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as the Secretary may deem appropriate to ensure that information concerning any such determination with respect to a specific individual is forwarded to the Office of the Secretary by any appropriate State or Federal entity for the use of the Secretary in administering the provisions of this section. No State shall withhold such information from the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee for any reason whatsoever.
(c)
Refusal to provide necessary information
Except in a case in which a household is receiving transitional benefits during the transitional benefits period under section
2020
(s) of this title, no household shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if it refuses to cooperate in providing information to the State agency that is necessary for making a determination of its eligibility or for completing any subsequent review of its eligibility.
(1)
(A)
A State agency may require certain categories of households to file periodic reports of income and household circumstances in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary, except that a State agency may not require periodic reporting—
(B)
Each household that is not required to file such periodic reports shall be required to report or cause to be reported to the State agency changes in income or household circumstances that the Secretary considers necessary to assure accurate eligibility and benefit determinations.
(C)
A State agency may require periodic reporting on a monthly basis by households residing on a reservation only if—
(i)
the State agency reinstates benefits, without requiring a new application, for any household residing on a reservation that submits a report not later than 1 month after the end of the month in which benefits would otherwise be provided;
(ii)
the State agency does not delay, reduce, suspend, or terminate the allotment of a household that submits a report not later than 1 month after the end of the month in which the report is due;
(D)
Frequency of reporting.—
(i)
In general.—
Except as provided in subparagraphs (A) and (C), a State agency may require households that report on a periodic basis to submit reports—
(ii)
Reporting by households with excess income.—
A household required to report less often than once each 3 months shall, notwithstanding subparagraph (B), report in a manner prescribed by the Secretary if the income of the household for any month exceeds the income standard of eligibility established under section
2014
(c)(2) of this title.
(2)
Any household required to file a periodic report under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall,
(A)
if it is eligible to participate and has filed a timely and complete report, receive its allotment, based on the reported information for a given month, within thirty days of the end of that month unless the Secretary determines that a longer period of time is necessary,
(B)
have available special procedures that permit the filing of the required information in the event all adult members of the household are mentally or physically handicapped or lacking in reading or writing skills to such a degree as to be unable to fill out the required forms,
(C)
have a reasonable period of time after the close of the month in which to file their reports on State agency designed forms,
(D)
be afforded prompt notice of failure to file any report timely or completely, and given a reasonable opportunity to cure that failure (with any applicable time requirements extended accordingly) and to exercise its rights under section
2020
(e)(10) of this title, and
(E)
be provided each month (or other applicable period) with an appropriate, simple form for making the required reports of the household together with clear instructions explaining how to complete the form and the rights and responsibilities of the household under any periodic reporting system.
(3)
Reports required to be filed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be considered complete if they contain the information relevant to eligibility and benefit determinations that is specified by the State agency. All report forms, including those related to periodic reports of circumstances, shall contain a description, in understandable terms in prominent and bold face lettering, of the appropriate civil and criminal provisions dealing with violations of this chapter including the prescribed penalties. Reports required to be filed monthly under paragraph (1) shall be the sole reporting requirement for subject matter included in such reports. In promulgating regulations implementing these reporting requirements, the Secretary shall consult with the Commissioner of Social Security and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and, wherever feasible, households that receive assistance under title IV–A of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] and that are required to file comparable reports under that Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.] shall be provided the opportunity to file reports at the same time for purposes of this chapter and the Social Security Act.
(4)
Except as provided in paragraph (1)(C), any household that fails to submit periodic reports required by paragraph (1) shall not receive an allotment for the payment period to which the unsubmitted report applies until such report is submitted.
(5)
The Secretary is authorized, upon the request of a State agency, to waive any provisions of this subsection (except the provisions of the first sentence of paragraph (1) which relate to households which are not required to file periodic reports) to the extent necessary to permit the State agency to establish periodic reporting requirements for purposes of this chapter which are similar to the periodic reporting requirements established under the State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) in that State.
(d)
Conditions of participation
(1)
Work requirements.—
(A)
In general.—
No physically and mentally fit individual over the age of 15 and under the age of 60 shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program if the individual—
(i)
refuses, at the time of application and every 12 months thereafter, to register for employment in a manner prescribed by the Secretary;
(ii)
refuses without good cause to participate in an employment and training program established under paragraph (4), to the extent required by the State agency;
(iii)
refuses without good cause to accept an offer of employment, at a site or plant not subject to a strike or lockout at the time of the refusal, at a wage not less than the higher of—
(iv)
refuses without good cause to provide a State agency with sufficient information to allow the State agency to determine the employment status or the job availability of the individual;
(B)
Household ineligibility.—
If an individual who is the head of a household becomes ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under subparagraph (A), the household shall, at the option of the State agency, become ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program for a period, determined by the State agency, that does not exceed the lesser of—
(C)
Duration of ineligibility.—
(i)
First violation.—
The first time that an individual becomes ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under subparagraph (A), the individual shall remain ineligible until the later of—
(ii)
Second violation.—
The second time that an individual becomes ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under subparagraph (A), the individual shall remain ineligible until the later of—
(D)
Administration.—
(i)
Good cause.—
The Secretary shall determine the meaning of good cause for the purpose of this paragraph.
(ii)
Voluntary quit.—
The Secretary shall determine the meaning of voluntarily quitting and reducing work effort for the purpose of this paragraph.
(iii)
Determination by state agency.—
(I)
In general.—
Subject to subclause (II) and clauses (i) and (ii), a State agency shall determine—
(II)
Not less restrictive.—
A State agency may not use a meaning, procedure, or determination under subclause (I) that is less restrictive on individuals receiving benefits under this chapter than a comparable meaning, procedure, or determination under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(iv)
Strike against the government.—
For the purpose of subparagraph (A)(v), an employee of the Federal Government, a State, or a political subdivision of a State, who is dismissed for participating in a strike against the Federal Government, the State, or the political subdivision of the State shall be considered to have voluntarily quit without good cause.
(v)
Selecting a head of household.—
(I)
In general.—
For purposes of this paragraph, the State agency shall allow the household to select any adult parent of a child in the household as the head of the household if all adult household members making application under the supplemental nutrition assistance program agree to the selection.
(II)
Time for making designation.—
A household may designate the head of the household under subclause (I) each time the household is certified for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, but may not change the designation during a certification period unless there is a change in the composition of the household.
(vi)
Change in head of household.—
If the head of a household leaves the household during a period in which the household is ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under subparagraph (B)—
(2)
A person who otherwise would be required to comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be exempt from such requirements if he or she is
(A)
currently subject to and complying with a work registration requirement under title IV of the Social Security Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 602), or the Federal-State unemployment compensation system, in which case, failure by such person to comply with any work requirement to which such person is subject shall be the same as failure to comply with that requirement of paragraph (1);
(B)
a parent or other member of a household with responsibility for the care of a dependent child under age six or of an incapacitated person;
(C)
a bona fide student enrolled at least half time in any recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education (except that any such person enrolled in an institution of higher education shall be ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program unless he or she meets the requirements of subsection (e) of this section);
(E)
employed a minimum of thirty hours per week or receiving weekly earnings which equal the minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (29 U.S.C. 206
(a)(1)), multiplied by thirty hours; or
(F)
a person between the ages of sixteen and eighteen who is not a head of a household or who is attending school, or enrolled in an employment training program, on at least a half-time basis. A State that requested a waiver to lower the age specified in subparagraph (B) and had the waiver denied by the Secretary as of August 1, 1996, may, for a period of not more than 3 years, lower the age of a dependent child that qualifies a parent or other member of a household for an exemption under subparagraph (B) to between 1 and 6 years of age.
(3)
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a household shall not participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program at any time that any member of such household, not exempt from the work registration requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection, is on strike as defined in section
142
(2) of title
29, because of a labor dispute (other than a lockout) as defined in section
152
(9) of title
29: Provided, That a household shall not lose its eligibility to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a result of one of its members going on strike if the household was eligible immediately prior to such strike, however, such household shall not receive an increased allotment as the result of a decrease in the income of the striking member or members of the household: Provided further, That such ineligibility shall not apply to any household that does not contain a member on strike, if any of its members refuses to accept employment at a plant or site because of a strike or lockout.
(4)
Employment and training.—
(A)
In general.—
(i)
Implementation.—
Each State agency shall implement an employment and training program designed by the State agency and approved by the Secretary for the purpose of assisting members of households participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program in gaining skills, training, work, or experience that will increase their ability to obtain regular employment.
(B)
For purposes of this chapter, an “employment and training program” means a program that contains one or more of the following components, except that the State agency shall retain the option to apply employment requirements prescribed under this subparagraph to a program applicant at the time of application:
(ii)
Job search training programs that include, to the extent determined appropriate by the State agency, reasonable job search training and support activities that may consist of jobs skills assessments, job finding clubs, training in techniques for employability, job placement services, or other direct training or support activities, including educational programs, determined by the State agency to expand the job search abilities or employability of those subject to the program.
(iv)
Programs designed to improve the employability of household members through actual work experience or training, or both, and to enable individuals employed or trained under such programs to move promptly into regular public or private employment. An employment or training experience program established under this clause shall—
(v)
Educational programs or activities to improve basic skills and literacy, or otherwise improve employability, including educational programs determined by the State agency to expand the job search abilities or employability of those subject to the program under this paragraph.
(vi)
Programs designed to increase the self-sufficiency of recipients through self-employment, including programs that provide instruction for self-employment ventures.
(C)
The State agency may provide that participation in an employment and training program may supplement or supplant other employment-related requirements imposed on those subject to the program.
(D)
(i)
Each State agency may exempt from any requirement for participation in any program under this paragraph categories of household members.
(E)
Each State agency shall establish requirements for participation by individuals not exempt under subparagraph (D) in one or more employment and training programs under this paragraph, including the extent to which any individual is required to participate. Such requirements may vary among participants.
(F)
(i)
The total hours of work in an employment and training program carried out under this paragraph required of members of a household, together with the hours of work of such members in any program carried out under section
2029 of this title, in any month collectively may not exceed a number of hours equal to the household’s allotment for such month divided by the higher of the applicable State minimum wage or Federal minimum hourly rate under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [29 U.S.C. 206
(a)(1)].
(ii)
The total hours of participation in such program required of any member of a household, individually, in any month, together with any hours worked in another program carried out under section
2029 of this title and any hours worked for compensation (in cash or in kind) in any other capacity, shall not exceed one hundred and twenty hours per month.
(G)
The State agency may operate any program component under this paragraph in which individuals elect to participate.
(H)
Federal funds made available to a State agency for purposes of the component authorized under subparagraph (B)(v) shall not be used to supplant non-Federal funds used for existing services and activities that promote the purposes of this component.
(I)
(i)
The State agency shall provide payments or reimbursements to participants in programs carried out under this paragraph, including individuals participating under subparagraph (G), for—
(I)
the actual costs of transportation and other actual costs (other than dependent care costs), that are reasonably necessary and directly related to participation in the program; and
(II)
the actual costs of such dependent care expenses that are determined by the State agency to be necessary for the participation of an individual in the program (other than an individual who is the caretaker relative of a dependent in a family receiving benefits under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) in a local area where an employment, training, or education program under title IV of such Act [42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.] is in operation), except that no such payment or reimbursement shall exceed the applicable local market rate. Individuals subject to the program under this paragraph may not be required to participate if dependent costs exceed the limit established by the State agency under this subclause or other actual costs exceed any limit established under subclause (I).
(ii)
In lieu of providing reimbursements or payments for dependent care expenses under clause (i), a State agency may, at its option, arrange for dependent care through providers by the use of purchase of service contracts or vouchers or by providing vouchers to the household.
(iii)
The value of any dependent care services provided for or arranged under clause (ii), or any amount received as a payment or reimbursement under clause (i), shall—
(J)
The Secretary shall promulgate guidelines that
(i)
enable State agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to design and operate an employment and training program that is compatible and consistent with similar programs operated within the State, and
(ii)
ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that employment and training programs are provided for Indians on reservations.
(K)
Limitation on funding.—
Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph, the amount of funds a State agency uses to carry out this paragraph (including funds used to carry out subparagraph (I)) for participants who are receiving benefits under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) shall not exceed the amount of funds the State agency used in fiscal year 1995 to carry out this paragraph for participants who were receiving benefits in fiscal year 1995 under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
(L)
The Secretary shall ensure that State agencies comply with the requirements of this paragraph and section
2020
(e)(19) of this title.
(M)
The facilities of the State public employment offices and other State agencies and providers carrying out activities under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 [29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.] may be used to find employment and training opportunities for household members under the programs under this paragraph.
(e)
Students
No individual who is a member of a household otherwise eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under this section shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a member of that or any other household if the individual is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education, unless the individual—
(3)
is assigned to or placed in an institution of higher education through or in compliance with the requirements of—
(4)
is employed a minimum of 20 hours per week or participating in a State or federally financed work study program during the regular school year;
(6)
is receiving benefits under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.);
(f)
Aliens
No individual who is a member of a household otherwise eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under this section shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a member of that or any other household unless he or she is
(2)
either
(B)
an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence as an immigrant as defined by sections
1101
(a)(15) and
1101
(a)(20) of title
8, excluding, among others, alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, and students who enter the United States temporarily with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country; or
(C)
an alien who entered the United States prior to June 30, 1948, or such subsequent date as is enacted by law, has continuously maintained his or her residence in the United States since then, and is not ineligible for citizenship, but who is deemed to be lawfully admitted for permanent residence as a result of an exercise of discretion by the Attorney General pursuant to section
1259 of title
8; or
(D)
an alien who has qualified for conditional entry pursuant to sections
1157 and
1158 of title
8; or
(E)
an alien who is lawfully present in the United States as a result of an exercise of discretion by the Attorney General for emergent reasons or reasons deemed strictly in the public interest pursuant to section
1182
(d)(5) of title
8; or
(F)
an alien within the United States as to whom the Attorney General has withheld deportation pursuant to section
1231
(b)(3) of title
8. No aliens other than the ones specifically described in clauses (B) through (F) of this subsection shall be eligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a member of any household. The income (less, at State option, a pro rata share) and financial resources of the individual rendered ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program under this subsection shall be considered in determining the eligibility and the value of the allotment of the household of which such individual is a member.
(g)
Residents of States which provide State supplementary payments
No individual who receives supplemental security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.], State supplementary payments described in section 1616 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 1382e], or payments of the type referred to in section 212(a) of Public Law 93–66, as amended, shall be considered to be a member of a household for any month, if, for such month, such individual resides in a State which provides State supplementary payments
(1)
of the type described in section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1382e
(a)] and section 212(a) of Public Law 93–66, and
(2)
the level of which has been found by the Commissioner of Social Security to have been specifically increased so as to include the bonus value of food stamps.
(h)
Transfer of assets to qualify
No household that knowingly transfers assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the supplemental nutrition assistance program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a period of up to one year from the date of discovery of the transfer.
(i)
Comparable treatment for disqualification
(1)
In general
If a disqualification is imposed on a member of a household for a failure of the member to perform an action required under a Federal, State, or local law relating to a means-tested public assistance program, the State agency may impose the same disqualification on the member of the household under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
(2)
Rules and procedures
If a disqualification is imposed under paragraph (1) for a failure of an individual to perform an action required under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the State agency may use the rules and procedures that apply under part A of title IV of the Act to impose the same disqualification under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
(3)
Application after disqualification period
A member of a household disqualified under paragraph (1) may, after the disqualification period has expired, apply for benefits under this chapter and shall be treated as a new applicant, except that a prior disqualification under subsection (d) of this section shall be considered in determining eligibility.
(j)
Disqualification for receipt of multiple benefits
An individual shall be ineligible to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program as a member of any household for a 10-year period if the individual is found by a State agency to have made, or is convicted in a Federal or State court of having made, a fraudulent statement or representation with respect to the identity or place of residence of the individual in order to receive multiple benefits simultaneously under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.