The option also allows  states to implement a portion of the simplified program in which only the  food stamp work requirement is replaced by TANF’s work requirement. States Used Eligibility Options and Waivers Primarily to Increase Access to Food Stamps

Almost all states used one or more options or waivers to change their food  stamp eligibility determination process. Thirty-three states used  available options to exempt some or all vehicles from counting as assets. States used these options to increase the number of households to be  eligible for food stamps, to simplify the administrative process for  eligibility workers, and to support working families; however, most of  these states considered them a cumbersome way to increase access to  food stamps. States Used Reporting Options and Waivers Primarily to Reduce Payment Errors and Simplify Paperwork

Almost all states used a reporting option or waiver to change the way  households with earnings are required to report changes in their  circumstances that could affect their eligibility for food stamps as well as  their benefit amount. The most frequently used reporting alternatives were those that eliminated  the requirement to report changes in earned income of $25 or more per  month. No State Is Using All Aspects of the Simplified Food Stamp Program Option

No state is implementing or plans to implement all aspects of the  Simplified Food Stamp Program option. However, as we reported earlier, since not all  needy households receive both TANF and food stamps, the states selecting  the simplified program option would, in effect, be operating three  programs: one program for TANF recipients following state TANF rules;  one program for food stamp recipients following federal food stamp  regulations; and the simplified program for recipients of both food stamps  and TANF. Eight states are aligning their food stamp and TANF work  requirements.
What GAO Found

To help states administer their Food Stamp Programs, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) offers options and waivers to their program rules and regulations. Almost all states used options or waivers in their food stamp eligibility determination process. More than half of the states chose to make households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) services automatically eligible for food stamps. Thirty-three states exempted some or all vehicles in the determination of food stamp eligibility. Although most states used these options and waivers, they considered them a cumbersome way to increase access to the program for families owning a vehicle. Almost all states used at least one option or waiver to change the reporting methods required of food stamp household earnings. The most frequently used reporting waivers exempted recipients from reporting changes in earned income of $25 or more per month. States used these options and waivers to simplify paperwork requirements for both the food stamp recipient and eligibility worker. Although few states were using the new option to provide food stamp benefits to families leaving TANF, 20 other states planned to implement the option. No state was implementing or planning to implement all aspects of the simplified program option, which allows states to merge their TANF and Food Stamp Program for families receiving both types of assistance. States told GAO that the simplified program option would make administering the programs more difficult because it creates a separate program, covering only a subset of food stamp recipients. However, nine states were using a portion of the simplified program to align their food stamp and TANF work or reporting requirements.