If a member of the household is convicted of intentional program violation, what happens to the household's eligibility status?

When a member of the household is convicted of an intentional program violation, the household's eligibility for assistance is affected significantly. In this situation, the household becomes ineligible for benefits. An intentional program violation may include actions such as providing false information or failing to report changes in income or household composition, which undermine the integrity of the assistance program.

The rationale for this policy is to ensure that benefits are distributed fairly and to deter fraudulent behavior that could deprive eligible individuals and families of necessary assistance. This strong stance reflects the program's commitment to maintaining trust in the system and ensuring that assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.

In contrast, options like remaining eligible, temporary suspension of eligibility, or routine annual reviews do not accurately reflect the severity of consequences tied to an intentional program violation. Households do not simply have their eligibility reviewed or suspended temporarily; instead, they lose their eligibility entirely for the duration of the violation.