Aid Continuing
What it means
A rule that keeps a person's benefits going at the same level while they wait for a fair hearing decision. It applies to SNAP, Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, and some other programs. To get aid continuing, the recipient has to request the fair hearing before the date the change would take effect — that date is on the notice. If the notice was mailed late, the deadline becomes 10 days from the postmark. Without this request, the change goes through even before the hearing. A recipient who loses the hearing may have to pay back the benefits received during the wait — legal aid can explain the trade-off.
When you might hear this
You hear this when a benefit notice says help is going to stop or go down. If you ask for a fair hearing fast enough, your benefits can stay the same while you wait for the decision.
What to ask
- What exact date is on the notice — is that the deadline?
- How do I ask for the fair hearing AND for aid continuing in the same request?
- If I lose the hearing, how much could I have to pay back?
- Can I keep my benefits during the hearing for SNAP and Medicaid both?
- Does asking for a hearing hurt my current benefits in any other way?