When a client contacts you to let you know he/she has moved out of state, or another state social services agency contacts you to let you know the client has moved to their state, you close the case for the next month, as long as you take the action by 2nd deadline (no 10-day advance notice required). Please make sure to include the client’s new address so our DHS closure notice can be received by the client. Policy at 340:50-9-5 (j) (C) states, “When the worker determines, based on reliable information, the household moved out of state, the worker closes benefits by the non-advance notice deadline per Appendix B-2”

Whenever a client applies for SNAP benefits in Oklahoma and reports to the worker they have moved to Oklahoma from another state in the last year, it is the responsibility of the worker to verify the SNAP benefits have ended in the other state. The worker should not ask the client to provide this verification. Policy at 340:50-5-66 ITS #1 states, “The worker must take extra care to avoid duplicate participation. If the household has lived in another state in the past 12 months, the worker must verify there are no open cases in the other state.”

Ask the client what state they moved from and if they ever received benefits in that state. If yes, when did the case close? Document the client’s response in Case Notes. Use the National Directory of Contacts for out of state contact information.

• Make an attempt to call the other state to obtain verification
• If you are unable to obtain the verification immediately:
  • Case note the attempt and certify the benefits during the first contact/first touch using customer’s statement as “best available”. Follow the Current Outcomes Desk Guide for the appropriate outcome.
  • Then notify the SNAP Unit that you were unable to obtain the verification immediately
• SNAP Unit then sends a request via email/fax to obtain the verification
• Once verification is received, the SNAP Unit will upload it to OnBase as a change which will trigger a task for a worker to take the appropriate action based on the discrepant information at that time. The worker who receives this task will be responsible for any overpayment if duplicate benefits were received.

Example 1

Client calls the caseworker on 07-05-23 to let the worker know that he has moved to Arkansas. What effective date should the worker close the case?

The worker should close the case, eff. 08-01-23 , since the client reported this change prior to 2nd deadline AND a notice of adverse action is not required.

Example 2

Client comes to the local county office on 07-25-23 to apply for SNAP. Client provides a current driver’s license from the state of Arkansas for proof of ID. What action should the worker take on the case?
During the interview, the worker needs to ask the client about the Arkansas ID and if the client has moved to Oklahoma from Arkansas or any other state in the last 12 months. If the client states that they have moved to Oklahoma from Arkansas in the last 12 months, the worker needs to contact Arkansas to verify benefits have closed in that state and the effective date of closure.
Remember! Update Case Notes with an adequate explanation!

Policy 340:50-9-5(j) (C) Clients moving to another State

Policy 340:50-5-66 ITS # Clients who have recently moved to OK from another state