Effective Date - January 1, 2009

1306               Head of Assistance Unit/Authorized Representative

SNAP – 7 CFR 273.2

A.    Allow an assistance unit to designate the head of the assistance unit at the time of application and to change the designation only at the time of recertification or when the assistance unit composition changes.

B.    Allow any responsible member of the assistance unit to designate an adult non-assistance unit member as an authorized representative by:

1.    Designating an authorized representative on the application; or

2.    Providing any written and signed statement designating an authorized representative.

C.   Allow the assistance unit to use the authorized representative to:

1.    Make application;

2.    Meet the requirements of an in-office interview;

3.    Register assistance unit members for work;

4.    Be certified on the ID Card;

5.    Utilize the benefits; and

6.    Complete the Change Report form on behalf of the assistance unit:

a.    Advise the assistance unit to review the information provided by an authorized representative;

b.    Inform the assistance unit it is responsible for any over-issuance which results from incorrect information provided by the authorized representative.

D.   Prohibit the following persons from serving as an authorized representative unless the DFS-FO manager approves the designation in writing and no other authorized representative is available:

1.    DFS employees who are involved in Economic Assistance programs;

2.    Retailers authorized to accept SNAP coupons;

3.    Homeless meal providers;

4.    An individual disqualified for IPV during the period of disqualification.

E.    Allow the following to serve as a designated representative for the assistance unit:

1.    State certified drug or alcohol treatment center officials may receive and spend the SNAP benefits for food prepared by and/or served to the residents of the center; and

2.    State certified group living center officials may receive and spend the SNAP benefits for food prepared by and/or served to each eligible resident; or

3.    State certified group living center officials may allow each resident to spend all or any portion of the benefits on her/his own behalf.

F.    Place no restrictions on the number of assistance units an authorized representative may represent.

G.   Exercise caution to assure:

1.    The assistance unit has freely requested the authorized representative;

2.    The assistance unit’s circumstances are correctly represented;

a.    Refer the name of an authorized representative who has knowingly misrepresented the circumstances of an assistance unit to DFS-SO for possible disqualification  for up to one year;

b.    Give the assistance unit and the authorized representative 30 days notice of the disqualification to include:

(1)  The proposed action;

(2)  The reason for the disqualification;

(3)  The assistance unit’s right to request an administrative hearing;

(4)  The name and telephone number of a person to contact for additional information.

c.    DO NOT apply the disqualification criteria to officials of drug and alcohol treatment centers and group living centers (see Appendix 1) acting as authorized representatives for their residents;

d.    Understand DFS may prosecute, under applicable State fraud statutes, an authorized representative from drug and alcohol treatment centers and group living centers (see Appendix 1) who intentionally misrepresents the circumstances of the assistance unit.

3.    The assistance unit is receiving the correct amount of benefits; and

4.    The authorized representative is properly using the benefits.