Date posted:
Attachment(s):
10-144 C.M.R. Chapter 301 – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Rules; Section 999-3
SNAP Rule # 232P - 2024 Federal Poverty Level Updates
Maine exercises an option for Broad Based Categorical Eligibility under 7 C.F.R. § 273.2(j)(2) which includes a 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) test. This figure is not included in the figures updated each federal fiscal year per 7 C.F.R. § 273.9(a)(4), it is updated as soon as the the FPLs are published. This year’s FPLs were published at https://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty-guidelines on January 17. See also, Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines, Federal Register 89:11 (January, 17, 2024) pages. 2961-2963, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-01-17/pdf/2024-00796.pdf. The Department proposes to incorporate these figures effective retroactive to January 11, 2024. Retroactive rulemaking is permissible under 22 M.R.S. § 42(8) as these changes afford this benefit to more residents of the State of Maine and do not adversely impact applicants, participants, beneficiaries, or providers. The changes to Section 999-3 Chart 4 would make SNAP benefits and the related SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) services available to more Maine households.
Federal rule 7 C.F.R. § 273.9(a)(3) requires that FPL tests are updated each year, effective October 1st. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided the updated Federal Poverty Guidelines on January 17, 2024. These figures are included in the figures updated each federal fiscal year per 7 C.F.R. § 273.9(a)(4). The Department proposes to incorporate these figures effective October 1, 2024. Incorporating these changes to Section 999-3 Chart 1, Chart 2, and Chart 3 will make SNAP benefits and the related SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) services available to more Maine households and reduce rulemaking effort and improve efficiency.
PUBLIC HEARING: None scheduled.
COMMENT DEADLINE: Monday, April 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. E.T.
Written public comments may be submitted via the link at https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/rulemaking.
Proposed
Office: Office for Family Independence
Routine technical
Email: Ian.Miller@maine.gov
Comment deadline:
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