When to Effect Changes
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This section includes information about when to effect a change.
Policy
The outcome of a change (benefit increase or decrease) determines when a change goes into effect.
FAA reviews reported changes within ten calendar days(g) to determine whether the change affects the budgetary unit’s eligibility or allotment.
When changes are reported separately, the changes are affected separately. When two or more changes occur and are reported at the same time, the net effect of all changes is determined. When adding or removing a participant, any changes involving that participant are considered one change.
When the net effect of multiple changes results in a benefit decrease and the date the change is reported does not allow for NOAA(g), the changes are treated individually as any of the following:
●Changes that result in a benefit increase effect benefits for the following month as follows:
For NA, benefits are increased with the first allotment issued ten calendar days after the date the change is reported. The benefits must be increased no later than the month after the change is reported.
For CA, benefits are increased for the first regular benefit issued after the date the change is reported.
●Changes that result in a benefit decrease effect benefits for the first month possible, allowing for NOAA.
NOTE When adding or removing a participant, everything connected to the participant (i.e., income and resources) is affected for the same month. (See Example 1)
For actions and time frames on changes, see any of the following:
NOTE Changes may be reported, or verification may exist in the case file(g), which may go into affect past the current system month (CSM). These known changes should only be worked on each month up to and including the CSM(g). Exceptions only apply to certain situations, see Rolling Past Current System Month Definition.
When FAA fails to act timely for the correct benefit month, any of the following may occur:
●An overpayment exists that the participant may need to repay
●Supplemental payments may be required
An overpayment exists when the participant fails to timely report a change that results in a benefit decrease or case closure.
Benefits Increase
The date benefits are increased is based on when the participant provides the requested verification.
To effect benefit increases, see any of the following:
Verification is Received Timely
Verification for a benefit increase is received timely when any of the following occurs:
●Enough verification was provided with the change or is in the case file(g) to increase benefits.
NOTE For NA, when the budgetary unit reports a newborn to FAA, the newborn is added without any additional verification. FAA verifies the information with the budgetary unit at the next renewal.
●Verification is provided by the notice due date, when requested
NOTE Changes may be reported, or verification may exist in the case file which may go into effect past the current system month (CSM). These known changes should only be worked on each month up to and including the CSM. Exceptions only apply to certain situations, see Rolling Past Current System Month Definition.
When verification supports the increase in benefits, benefits are increased as follows:
●For NA, benefits are increased with the first allotment issued ten calendar days(g) after the date the change is reported. The benefits must be increased no later than the month after the month the change is reported.
NOTE NA benefits have a staggered issuance date based on the case’s last name from the 1st to the 13th of the month. When the participant reports a change early in the month, the change may be made affected in the current month when the participant’s last name is later in the alphabet. The participant may receive a supplement after normal issuance. (See Example 2)
●For CA, benefits are increased for the first regular benefit issued after the date the change is reported.
Required Verification is Not Provided by the Notice Due Date
When a reported change is not verified by the due date of the Information Needed notice due date for a benefit increase, one of the following occurs:
●When continued eligibility cannot be determined with the verification in the case file(g) and any verification the participant provided, the benefits are stopped in the month that allows for NOAA(g).
●When continued eligibility is not in question, but the amount of benefits may be affected and cannot be determined, benefits are continued at the level prior to the reported change. (See Example 5 and Example 6)
Required Verification is Received Before the Effective Date of Closure
When a reported change requiring verification for a benefit increase is verified after the notice due date but prior to the effective date of closure, one or more of the following occur:
●When the case is closed, the case is reopened. See Revert Program to Open Overview.
●The benefits are increased as follows:
For NA, the benefits are increased with the first allotment issued ten calendar days(g) after the date the verification is received, but no later than the month after the month the verification is received.
For CA, the benefits are increased for the first regular benefit issued after the date the verification is received.
Required Verification is Received After the Effective Date of Closure
For NA and CA, a new application is required when the verification is received after the effective date of closure.
Benefit Decreases
FAA reviews the budgetary unit’s reporting requirements and the date of the change to determine whether a potential overpayment has occurred. See Reporting Changes for more information about reporting requirements.
FAA completes all of the following when a reported change from a participant causes complete ineligibility:
●Stops the benefits for the first month possible, allowing for adequate notice. (See Example 3) (See Notifying Participants of Actions Regarding Their Benefits for more information about adequate notice.)
●Sends the appropriate closure notice.
●Documents the case file(g) supporting the income budgeted.
To effect benefit decreases, see any of the following:
Verification is Received Timely
Verification is received timely when any of the following occurs:
●Enough verification was provided with the change or is in the case file(g) to decrease benefits
●Verification is provided by the notice due date, when requested
NOTE Changes may be reported, or verification may exist in the case file past the current system month (CSM). These known changes should only be worked on each month up to and including the CSM. Exceptions only apply to certain situations, see Rolling Past Current System Month Definition.
When verification supports the decrease in benefits, benefits are decreased as follows:
●For NA, benefits are decreased or stopped with the first allotment issued after the date the change is reported, allowing for NOAA(g).
●For CA, benefits are decreased for the first regular benefit issued after the date the change is reported, allowing for NOAA.
NOTE When enough information to effect a decrease cannot be obtained and the participant has not provided necessary information by the information due date, the benefits are stopped for the month that allows for NOAA(g).
When benefits cannot be decreased due to being past NOAA, roll the benefits to the month after the current system month and decrease or stop benefits.
NOTE When determined benefits should be rolled more than one month past the current system month, supervisor approval is required.
Required Verification is Not Provided by the Notice Due Date
When verification is not provided by the notice due date for a benefit decrease, FAA completes all of the following:
●Stops the benefits, allowing for NOAA(g).
●Sends the appropriate closure notice.
●Documents the case file supporting the actions taken.
NOTE When requested verification is not provided for expenses, determine the benefit amount without allowing the unverified expense. Do not stop benefits.
Required Verification is Received Before the Effective Date of Closure
When a reported change requiring verification for a benefit decrease is verified after the notice due date but prior to the effective date of closure, one or more of the following occur:
●When the verification provided causes ineligibility, the case remains closed. No additional notices are sent.
●When the verification provided does not cause ineligibility, the case is reopened and benefits are decreased for the month identified in the original NOAA(g). See Revert Program to Open – Overview.
NOTE Additional notices explaining that the case has been reopened and how the verification has affected the case are sent. However, NOAA is not required because the case was previously closed allowing for NOAA.
Required Verification is Received After the Effective Date of Closure
For NA and CA, a new application is required when the verification is received after the effective date of closure.
Unknown Effect to Benefits
When a change has an unknown effect on the benefits, verification must be requested.
When verification is not provided, benefits are stopped allowing for NOAA(g), when required.
NOTE When requested verification is not provided for expenses, determine the benefit amount without allowing the unverified expense. Do not stop benefits.
When verification is provided, see one of the following for actions and time frames based on the outcome of the change:
No Change in the Benefit Amount
A notice with a change report is sent to the participant when a change is reported from the participant, but the change makes no change in the benefit amount.
Verification
The participant has the primary responsibility for providing verification. This can be obtained from a hard copy, electronic source, or collateral contact. (See Participant Responsibilities – Providing Verification for additional policy).
Verification required is determined by the type of change reported.
Examples
1) On July 28th, Mary reports at the same time that her hours were reduced (change 1) and that her son, James, moved into her home (change 2).
Mary’s reduction in income causes an increase to her NA benefits.
James is 20 years old, works 40 hours per week, and is a mandatory participant. He and all his income and resources must be added to his mother’s NA case as one change. James’ income makes the budgetary unit ineligible.
The net effect of both changes results in ineligibility, the case is closed for August allowing for adequate notice.
2) On May 1st, Mr. Victor reports that his hours have been reduced five hours per week. After requesting verification, Mr. Victor timely provides a letter from his manager on May 12th confirming the change. Since benefits are increased with the first allotment issued ten calendar days after the date the change is reported and Mr. Victor normally receives his NA benefits on the 11th of the month, the increase must affect Mr. Victor’s May benefits. A supplement is added for May.
3) On 10/15/2026, James Smith submits a change report. Mr. Smith reports he began working for Fry’s on 09/25/2026. Mr. Smith reports he will be receiving $1500.00 every two weeks and is working 40 hours per week. Mr. Smith’s gross monthly income is $3225.00, which is over the 200% FPL (ECE) of $2610 for a household of one.
Mr. Smith’s next NA allotment is due to be issued on 11/10/2026.
On 10/15/2026, the FAA worker budgets the income for the benefit month of 10/2026. The household’s NA benefits are closed effective 11/01/2026 for excessive income and the closure notice is mailed. Adequate notice is given on 10/15/2026, since the closure notice is received before the effective date of closure, 11/01/2026.
4) On 10/05/2025, Adam submits a completed and signed change report to FAA. Adam reports he received a $2.00 pay raise per hour from Barry’s Bakery on 10/01/2025. Adam reports now earning $15 per hour and continues to work 40 hours per week. Adam’s gross monthly income is $2580, which is under the 200% FPL of $5360 for a household of four.
Since the change report resulted in a potential decrease of NA benefits, the FAA worker mails the Information Needed – NA (F011) notice to the participant. The notice gave Adam until 10/15/2025 to provide verification of his change.
NOAA for October 2025 is 10/20/2025.
On 10/13/2025, Adam provides his 10/10/2025 paycheck, which reflects his new hourly pay rate of $15 per hour, along with a statement from his employer. The statement verifies that Adam received a pay raise on 10/01/2025 to $15 per hour and Adam continues to work 40 hours per week. The FAA worker has enough information to effect the decrease to Adam’s NA benefits for the benefit month of 11/2025 and sends the appropriate notice.
5) On 09/10/2025, Larry submits a change report. Larry reports that his rent increased from $300 per month to $500 per month beginning 10/2025. Larry did not provide verification of his new rental amount. Since the change report results in a potential increase of NA benefits, the FAA worker mailed the Information Needed – NA (F011) notice. The notice gives Larry until 09/22/2025 to provide verification of his change. On 09/23/2025, the FAA worker reviews Larry’s case and determined that Larry failed to provide the verification of his change.
Since Larry’s continued eligibility is not in question, but the amount of benefits may be affected and cannot be determined, benefits are continued at the level prior to the reported change.
6) On 08/24/2025 June submits a change report. June reports that her work hours have decreased from 40 hours per week to 32 hours per week from her same employer ABC Bakery. June did not provide verification of the change. Since the change report results in a potential increase of NA benefits, the FAA worker mailed the Information Needed – NA (F011) notice. The notice gives June until 09/03/2025 to provide verification of her change. On 09/04/2025, the FAA worker reviews June’s case and determines that she did not provide the verification of her change.
Since June’s continued eligibility is not in question, but the amount of benefits may be affected and cannot be determined, benefits are continued at the level prior to the reported change.
Legal Authorities
7 CFR 273.12(a)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(1)(i)(A)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(1)(i)(B)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(1)(i)(C)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(1)(i)(C)(1 – 2)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(2)
7 CFR 273.12(a)(3)
7 CFR 273.13
AAC - R6-12-901
AAC - R6-12-902
AAC - R6-12-904
AAC - R6-12-905
AAC - R6-12-906
ARS - §46-211
AAC - R6-12-803
AZ State TANF Plan
last revised 06/01/2026, effective 12/19/2025