DCL-99-140, Food Stamp NPRM Allowing Cooperation with Child Support

DCL-99-140 DEC 22, 1999

TO: ALL STATE IV-D DIRECTORS

RE: Food Stamp NPRM Allowing Cooperation With Child Support

Dear Colleague:

This will inform you of the recent publication by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Department of Agriculture, of a proposed rule, with comment period, implementing thirteen provisions of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The proposed rule adds new eligibility requirements and disqualifiers, increases existing penalties for failure to comply with food stamp rules, and establishes a time limit for food stamp participation of three months in three years for able-bodied adults without children who are not working.

Attached is a copy of the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on December 17, 1999 (64 FR 70919). The proposed rule allows States to require food stamp recipients to cooperate with child support as a condition of food stamp eligibility. The rule also allows States to disqualify individuals who are in arrears in court-ordered child support payments.

We encourage State IV-D Directors to review the attached proposed rule and to consult with the State food stamp agencies regarding this proposed rule. Please forward any comments on the proposed rule to the FNS at the address listed in the Federal Register. The comment period ends February 15, 2000.

Sincerely,

David Gray Ross
Commissioner
Office of Child Support Enforcement

cc:
ACF Hub Directors and Regional Administrators
Child Support Program Managers, Regions I-X

Attachment: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register on December 17, 1999 (64 FR 70919)