1. (1) Coupons Lost in the Mail Prior to Receipt.

   1. (a) The Eligibility Worker shall authorize replacement coupons only:

      1. 1. If the coupons are reported stolen from the mail or lost in the mail in the period of intended use; and
      2. 2. If the non-receipt is reported in the period of their intended use; and
      3. 3. If the household requesting the replacement has not already been issued two replacements in the previous 5 months.

   2. (b) Period of Intended Use.

      1. 1. If the coupons are issued on or before the 25th of the month, the period of intended use is the month of issuance.
      2. 2. If the coupons are issued after the 25th of the month, the period of intended use is 20 days from their issuance date.

   3. (c) County Office Responsibilities. When a household reports the nondelivery of an allotment of coupons issued through the mail the Eligibility Worker shall:

      1. 1. Reserved for future use.
      2. 2. Reserved for future use.
      3. 3. Provide the replacement no more than 10 days after the report of nondelivery has been received.
2. (2) Lost, Stolen, or Misplaced Coupons. The Eligibility Worker shall not authorize a replacement allotment to a household which reports that its coupons were lost, stolen, or misplaced after being received.

3. (3) Destroyed Coupons. A household may request a replacement for that portion of its allotment which it had received but which was subsequently destroyed in a household disaster such as fire or flood.

   1. (a) Household’s Responsibilities.

      1. 1. To qualify for replacement, the household must report the destruction of the coupons to the local Food Stamp office within 10 days of the incident or within the period of intended use, whichever is earlier.
      2. 2. The household must also sign a Form HS-0461 (Non-Receipt Affidavit/Replacement Authorization):
   2. (i) Attesting to the destruction of the household’s Food Stamps;
   3. (ii) Stating that the original coupons will be returned to the state agency if recovered by the household; and
   4. (iii) Stating that the household is aware of the penalties for intentional misrepresentation of the facts.

   5. (b) Period of Intended Use.

      1. 1. If the coupons are issued on or before the 25th of the month, the period of intended use is the month of issuance.
      2. 2. If the coupons are issued after the 25th of the month, the period of intended use is 20 days from their issuance date.

   6. (c) County Office’s Responsibilities.

      1. 1. Reserved for future use.
      2. 2. Replacement of coupons.
   7. (i) Replacement of an ATP or coupons reported as destroyed subsequent to receipt shall be made only once in a 6 month period.

   8. (ii) If in the previous 5 months the household has been issued a replacement for either coupons or an ATP reported as destroyed subsequent to receipt, then replacement shall be denied.

      1. 3. Issue replacement coupons, if warranted, within 10 calendar days of receipt of the request for replacement.
      2. 4. Indicate in the case record that a replacement has been provided.
   9. (d) FNS Disasters. Where FNS has issued a disaster declaration and the household is eligible for emergency Food Stamp benefits, the household shall not receive both the disaster allotment and a replacement allotment under 1240-01-19-.20 (4) above.

4. (4) Replacement of Food Destroyed in a Disaster/Partial Allotments. In cases in which food purchased with Food Stamps is destroyed in a disaster affecting a participating household, that household may be eligible for replacement of the actual value of loss, as follows:

   1. (a) The value replaced shall not exceed one month’s Food Stamp allotment.
   2. (b) The loss must be reported within 10 calendar days of the incident.

   3. (c) Verification of the disaster. The Eligibility Worker shall verify the disaster through:

      1. 1. A collateral contact;
      2. 2. A community organization such as the Fire Department or the Red Cross; or
      3. 3. A home visit.
   4. (d) If the household meets the above criteria, the household shall be provided a replacement allotment within 10 calendar days of the reported loss.
   5. (e) Replacement of food destroyed in a disaster shall be made, subject to the above criteria, in cases of an individual household disaster such as fire, as well as in natural disasters affecting more than one household.
   6. (f) FNS disasters. In cases where FNS has issued a disaster declaration and the household is otherwise eligible for emergency Food Stamp benefits, the household shall not receive both the disaster allotment and a replacement allotment under this provision.
5. (5) Partial Allotments.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 14-27-104 and 7 CFR 273.11, 273.12, 273.13, 273.14, and 273.19. Administrative History: Original rule filed August 15, 1980; effective September 29, 1980. Amendment filed December 10, 1981; effective January 25, 1982. Amendment filed March 1, 1982; effective April 15, 1982.