Delays in Processing 430-05-20-50-20-15

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

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When eligibility and an opportunity to participate within 30 days following the date of application is delayed, responsibility for the delay must be determined.

 

Determining cause for the delay dictates what action (deny or pend) must be taken on the case and whether or not the household is entitled to benefits retroactive to the date of the application.

 

Delays Caused by the County

When a delay in the initial 30-day determination period is caused by the county:

  1. Do not deny the application.
  2. Notify the household by the 30th day following the application date that the application is pending and state the reason.

 

If the household is found eligible during the second 30 - day period, provide retroactive benefits to the date of application.

 

Delays Caused by the Household

If a household has failed to complete any part of the application process within the initial 30 - day period, the worker must deny the application using the appropriate notice. However, the worker must have taken the following actions before a delay is caused by the household:

  1. Failure to Complete the Application Form: The worker must have offered, or attempted to offer, assistance in completion of the application form.
  2. Failure of Household Member(s) to Register for Work: The worker must have informed the household of the need to complete SFN 385 - Affidavit for SNAP Stamp Work Requirements or SFN 353 - Affidavit for BEST Registrants and given the household at least 10 days from the date of notification to register household members.
  3. Failure to Provide Required Verification: The worker must have:
  1. Provided the household with a statement of required verification, and
  2. Offered to assist the household in obtaining required verification, and
  3. Allowed the household at least 10 days from the date of request to provide the missing verification.

Examples:

  1. If the household has failed to appear for the first interview and a subsequent interview is either postponed at the household’s request or cannot be rescheduled until after the 20th day but before the 30th day following the application date, the household must appear for the interview, bring verification, and register members for work by the 30th day, otherwise the delay is the fault of the household.
  2. If the household failed to appear for the first interview and a subsequent interview is postponed at the household’s request until after the 30th day following the application date, the delay is the fault of the household.

 

If the household takes the required action within 60 days following the date of application, the household will receive benefits for the second 30 days only. Do not require a new application. If the delay was the result of missing verification, prorate the benefits from the date verification is provided.

 

Example:

A household’s application was denied for failure to provide verification on May 17 (30th day). On June 10 the household provides the requested verifications. The application that was denied must be registered with a benefit start date of June 10.