Effective Date - Jul 1, 2011

405 SNAP Expedited Services

SNAP – 7 CFR 271.7, .7, .9 - .11, .13 - .14

Review for expedited services at each initial application and when an application is made after the end of the certification period whether requested by the applicant or not.

A. The following assistance units are entitled to expedited service:

1. Assistance units with less than $150 in monthly gross income, provided their liquid assets (i.e. cash on hand, checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, and lump sum payments – non liquid assets are not used) do not exceed $100; or

2. Assistance units whose combined monthly gross income and liquid assets (non liquid assets are not used) are less than the assistance unit’s monthly rent or mortgage, and utilities; or

3. Migrant or seasonal farm worker assistance units who are destitute, provided their liquid assets (i.e. cash on hand, checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, and lump sum payments) do not exceed $100. (Refer to Section 406).

B.       Screen the application to determine if the assistance unit is eligible for expedited services and document the decision in the Case record.

C.       See Section 402.

D.       Realize the applicant or designated authorized representative applying for expedited services should be interviewed on the date of application or the following business day.

1.       Require the interview be conducted by:

a. an in-office face to face interview; or

b. a telephone interview; or

c. a home visit interview.

2.       DO NOT postpone or waive the interview.

E.       Certify the assistance unit within the expedited service time frame if s/he has a completed application which includes the following information.

1.       Applicant's name;

2.    Applicant's address

3.       Assistance unit income and asset amounts;

4.        Names of other assistance unit members; and

5.        Applicant's signature.

F.       Require verification of identity only for the person making application for benefits.

G.     Use the “applicant’s statement” as verification, when verification has been postponed for the month(s) of expedited service.

H.         Require at the time of the initial interview, the assistance unit member making application for benefits to work register when nonexempt.

  1. An attempt can be made to register other assistance unit members required to work register, but this process cannot hold up expedited service processing;

2. Postpone work registration for nonexempt assistance unit members when;

a. The application is being made through the use of an authorized representative; or

b. The agency conducted a telephone interview.

I .      Require the assistance unit to present or apply for a SSN for each assistance unit member before the second full month of participation unless good cause exists perSection 605

J.        Realize there is no limit to the number of times an assistance unit can be certified under expedited procedures, as long as, prior to each expedited certification, the assistance unit either:

1.        Provides the verification requirements that were postponed at the last expedited certification; or

2. Was certified under normal processing standards since the last expedited certification.

K.   Issue expedited benefits to eligible assistance units within the designated time frames for the benefits to be received within seven calendar days.

1.        When processing benefits for applications received after the 15th of the month, both months must be authorized on the same day.

2. Mail a notice of expiration (F101) explaining which pending verifications must be provided for continued benefits if verification was postponed.

 

 

Assistance Unit Type	Authorize by:	From Date:	Day of Receipt:
Battered Women and Children Shelters	5th day	Following date of Application	7th day
Other Group Living Arrangements	5th day	Following date of Application	7th day
All Other Expedited Assistance Units	5th day	Following date of Application	7th day
Late Determination of Expedited Service Need	5th day	Of Discovery	7th day
Intervening Weekends or Holidays
	Authorize by:	From Date of:	Day of Receipt:
Fifth Calendar Day - Saturday/Sunday	Previous Friday	X	Saturday
Fourth or Fifth Calendar Day - Monday holiday	Previous Friday	X	Saturday
Fourth or Fifth Calendar Day - Friday holiday	Previous Thursday	X	Saturday

L.      When the assistance unit has applied on or before the 15th of the month, and verification is postponed, certify the assistance unit only for the month of application.
1. Send the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice explaining which pending verifications must be provided; and
2. Send the SNAP Certification Expiration notice notifying of the certification period end date and the need to re-apply for continued benefits.
3. Both the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice and the SNAP Certification Expiration notice must be sent at the time the application is processed.
4. For subsequent benefit months:

a. If the requested postponed verification is provided within the 30-day application processing period, the certification period shall be lengthened to the maximum allowed time based upon the circumstances of the assistance unit.

b. If the requested postponed verification is not provided within the 30-day application processing period, the assistance unit must re-apply and provide the postponed verification prior to the authorization of benefits.

M. When the assistance unit has applied after the 15th of the month, and verification is postponed, certify the assistance unit for the month of application and the following full month.

1.        Send the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice explaining which pending verifications must be provided.

2.    Send the SNAP Certification Expiration notice notifying of the certification period end date and the need to re-apply for continued benefits.

3.        Both the Expedited SNAP Application - Verification Waived notice and the SNAP Certification Expiration notice must be sent at the time the application is processed.

4.        For subsequent benefit months:

a. If the requested postponed verification is provided within the 30-day application processing period, the certification period shall be lengthened to the maximum allowed time based upon the circumstances of the assistance unit.

b. If the requested postponed verification is not provided within the 30-day application processing period, the assistance unit must re-apply and provide the postponed verification prior to the authorization of benefits.

N. Assistance units that are certified on an expedited basis, and have provided all necessary verification required prior to certification, shall be assigned a standard certification period.

1.        Send the Initial SNAP Application notice.

O. When the assistance unit submits a second application at the same time the initial expedited application is processed;

1.        Date stamp the application as of the actual date received in the DFS-FO; and

2.        Consider the application an “early” recertification and process it under the normal time frames and regulations governing a recertification.