An adult non-household member An individual residing with a SNAP household who is not included in determining the household size. may be designated as an authorized representative if:

1. They are designated in writing by any responsible adult household member participating in SNAP; and,

2. They are aware of relevant household circumstances.

If the only adult living with the household is not participating, such as a disqualified or an ineligible Not qualified to receive benefits because of not meeting one or more of the specified nonfinancial or financial requirements of eligibility. individual, they may be the authorized representative for the minor household members.

If an authorized representative applies on behalf of the household, Eligibility Workers must verify the identities of both the AR and the head of the household prior to approval.

Once Identity has been verified, the AR can carry out household responsibilities during the certification process such as reporting changes according to the household’s reporting requirements.

The following restrictions apply to authorized representatives:

1. Employees involved in the certification and/or issuance An issued SNAP benefit. processes may not act as authorized representatives;

2. Retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits may not be an authorized representative without written approval from the OPA Field Operations Manager. Retailers may be authorized only if it is determined no one else is available to be an authorized representative;

3. Homeless facilities providing meals may not act as authorized representatives for homeless SNAP households; and,

4. Individuals disqualified for Intentional Program Violation (IPV) may not be an authorized representative during the disqualification period unless the individual is the only adult household member able to act on its behalf as determined by the household.

    

The SNAP primary individual (PI) is sent an North Dakota Access Card (EBT). The SNAP authorized representative can also receive a card for the household if the household requires this.

The authorized representative’s name must be documented in case notes as either receiving an EBT card A North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services debit card issued to access SNAP benefits from EBT accounts. or as an “information only” person.

If the authorized representative is not included in the SNAP household, any adult SNAP household member can call the EBT Customer Service phone number and request to have the authorized representative’s EBT card deactivated. The EBT Customer Service Representative will deactivate the authorized representative’s EBT card.

If the authorized representative is included in the SNAP household, another household member cannot deactivate the authorized representative’s EBT card.

An individual may be disqualified from participating as a SNAP authorized representative for up to one year when the authorized representative misrepresented the household’s circumstances and knowingly provided false information pertaining to the household, or improperly used the household’s benefits.

Adequate written notification must be sent to the affected household and to the authorized representative 30 days prior to the date of disqualification.

Household should be advised they are held responsible for over issuances resulting from erroneous information provided by their authorized representative.

The individual signing the application attests under penalty of perjury to the citizenship or alien A legal alien is a person lawfully residing in the United States of America who is not a citizen. A legal alien may not necessarily have permanent residence status. An illegal alien is a person present in the United States of America in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. status of each household member. Any responsible adult SNAP household member or the authorized representative is permitted to sign the application.

Note: Only one signature is required on the application.

In the absence of any responsible adult member in the SNAP household, a legal guardian for any member of the household may sign the application. If there is no legal guardian appointed, the authorized representative may sign the application. The authorized representative shall be required to present all required documentation and other verification Third-party information or documentation used to establish the accuracy of statements. requested of the household.