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

(Revised 07/01/18 ML3528)

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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 delay is the fault of the household if the worker took the following actions:

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 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.

If it is determined the delay is the fault of the household, the worker must deny the application using the appropriate notice.

 

Exceptions:

1. If an individual in the household fails to comply with work registration requirements and the remaining household members are otherwise eligible, the application can be approved with the noncomplying individual’s participation as DW.

2. If the household fails to provide verification of expenses, the application is processed without the unverified expenses.

Examples:

1. A household’s application was denied for failure to provide verification (other than expenses) 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.

2. Household applies for benefits and is denied on the 30th day for failure to provide information.
   
   Sometime during the second 30 days, (within 60 days from the application date), the household provides verification of some but not all of the verifications previously requested. In this instance, the original application is not re-registered as not all verifications requested have been provided. If the household is interested in future benefits, they must provide all of the verifications or reapply.

3. Household applies for benefits and is denied on the 30th day for failure to provide verification of income and expenses. Sometime during the second 30 days, the household provides verification of income, but not the expenses previously requested. In this instance, the original application is not re-registered as not all verifications requested have been provided. If the household is interested in future benefits, they must provide ALL of the verifications within the second 30 days (by the 60th day following the date of the original application) or reapply.

4. For households that have failed to appear for an interview: The worker must have sent the F018 – Notice of Missed Interview.  
   
   If the household failed to schedule a second interview or a subsequent interview is postponed at the household’s request or cannot be rescheduled until after the 20th day but before the 30th day, 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. As a result of not appearing for the interview until after the 20th day, the household has until the 30th day to provide the needed verifications (other than expenses).

If the household fails to appear for the interview or provide the needed verification (other than expenses), the application must be denied.  If the required action is taken after the 30th day but before the 60th day following the date of application, the same application form is used and registered as a new application. The application date is the date required action was completed as benefits are prorated from that date and expedited processing standards may apply.

5. If the household has 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 date of the application, the delay is the fault of the household.

The application must be denied on the 30th day.  If the household appears for the interview after the 30th day but before the 60th day following the date of application, the same application form is used and registered as a new application. The application date is the date required action was completed as benefits are prorated from that date and expedited processing standards may apply.

 

Examples:

 

1. Household applies for benefits on January 3rd and is scheduled for an interview on January 10th. The household fails to show for the interview and the F018 Notice of Missed Interview is sent on January 14th. The application is denied on February 2nd (the 30th day) for failure to complete the interview.
   
   On February 22nd the household contacts the county and requests an interview. The application must be screened for expedited service and if the household is eligible an interview must be scheduled no later than the 3rd calendar day (February 25th) following the date the application is filed.
   
   The interview is scheduled for February 25th and the January 3rd application is used for this request. If expedited, and the household is eligible, benefits are prorated from the interview date, postponing all verifications not received, with the exception of identity.
   
   If not expedited, the application is registered effective with the interview date, CURRENT additional verifications are required and an F301 pending notice is sent to the household. The household has 30 days from the interview date (March 27th) to provide the verifications needed. If the household is eligible, benefits are prorated from the interview date. If the household fails to provide the verifications, the application is denied on March 27th. If the household is interested in future benefits, a new application is required.
   
   

2. Household applies for benefits on January 3rd and is scheduled for an interview on January 10th. The household fails to show for the interview and the F018 Notice of Missed Interview is sent on January 10th. The application is denied on February 2nd for failure to complete the interview.
   
   

   On February 22nd the household contacts the county and requests an interview. The application must be screened for expedited service at that time using the January 3rd application and obtaining current information from the household. If the household is eligible for expedited service, an interview must be scheduled no later than the 3rd calendar day (February 25th) following the date the application is filed postponing all verifications not received, with the exception of identity. If the household is eligible, benefits are prorated from the interview date.
   
   

3. Household applies for benefits on January 1st and is scheduled for an interview on January 10th. The household fails to show for the interview and the F018 Notice of Missed Interview is sent on January 10th. On January 30th the household appears for the interview. The household provides verification of income, expenses, all questionable information, and completes the work registration form on January 30th. The application must be approved on day 30 or the delay is the fault of the county.
   
   

4. Household applies for benefits on January 1st and is scheduled for an interview on January 10th. The household fails to show for the interview and the F018 Notice of Missed Interview is sent on January 10th. On January 25th the household appears for the interview. The household does not provide verification of income, or expenses. The application must be denied on day 30 for failure to provide information.