All applications must be screened for expedited processing immediately upon receipt in the Human Service Zone (HSZ) when the applicant An individual who submits an application for assistance under the SNAP program. requests SNAP benefits.

Note: To begin the application process, all that is required is a name, address, and signature.

The application date The date the application is received by the human service zone. is the date when this information is received. The remainder of the application must be completed at the interview. If an application is submitted with just name, address, and signature, the eligibility staff member must try to contact the household People who buy and prepare food together. Spouses, parents, and children who live together are usually counted as the same household. for an interview to discuss the various factors/criteria in order to determine whether the household is eligible for expedited issuance An issued SNAP benefit..

Eligibility staff are required to cold call households eligible or potentially eligible for expedited service to attempt an interview on the day of receipt of application in the work queue. All Eligibility staff must attempt two cold call attempts, 15 minutes apart. These calls must be documented in narrative even if the household did not answer the calls.

If the household cannot be reached on the day of receipt, an appointment notice will be sent following the process outlined in Application Processing.

Households meeting the following criteria are eligible for expedited processing:

1. Have less than $150 in gross monthly income and $100 or less in liquid resources; OR,

2. Are destitute migrant A person who moves on a regular basis to find work in harvesting crops or other agricultural activities. or seasonal farm worker households with liquid resources not exceeding $100 ; OR,

3. The household's combined gross monthly income and liquid resources are less than its monthly rent or mortgage and the appropriate mandatory utility allowance.

Note: When the application is submitted the Support Specialist must evaluate the information provided on the application and/or question the applicant to determine the appropriate mandatory utility allowance for expedited processing. Expedited processing is not postponed for verification Third-party information or documentation used to establish the accuracy of statements. of shelter/utility expenses.

At the initial inquiry all individuals must be informed about expedited processing eligibility and the right to protect the date of application. The application must be screened for expedited processing even if only name, address, and signature on the application are submitted.

If there is a request for SNAP benefits and the expedited screening section of the application is not completed, the Support Specialist must evaluate the completed application (if available) to the best of their ability based on the information provided and knowledge of policy.

Eligibility is not generally determined at the time of the screening, and it is not required for the screener to go beyond the screening box to decide whether income is countable or excluded. The final determination of expedite eligibility lies with the eligibility worker.

Note:Anticipated income that HAS been approved or authorized (ex: new employment income) is included when screening an application for expedite processing. Anticipated income (e.g., TANF, unemployment income, etc.) that has not been approved or authorized is not included when screening an application for expedited processing.

 

Note: Liquid resources are considered when screening for expedited services for all households including categorically eligible Any household in which all members receive or are authorized to receive TANF and/or SSI. These households are income and asset eligible. and BBCE (TANF I &R).

An applicant may appear eligible for expedited processing but during the interview and after the information is entered in the integrated eligibility system, it is determined the applicant does not meet expedited processing guidelines. The application is subject to regular processing guidelines with issuance within 30 days of the date of application and all required verification provided.

The date of discovery The date the State agency discovers the household is entitled to expedited service if the prescreening fails to identify a household as being entitled to expedited service. for expedited Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits is the day the eligibility worker determines that the applicant is eligible for expedited service.

Explanation:

• The eligibility worker must make expedited benefits available to the applicant within seven days of the application date.

• If pre-screening identifies a household as not entitled to expedited service and it is later determined that the household is entitled to expedited services, the expedited processing timeframe begins with the date the household is discovered entitled to expedited services.

• The amount of expedited benefits an applicant receives depends on the date of application, whether they are eligible for one or two months of expedite services.

   

ABAWD applicants are screened and processed for expedited services in the same way any other applicant is. The eligibility staff member should attempt to obtain as much verification as possible within the expedited service time frame; however, verification of an ABAWD exemption or meeting a work requirement can be postponed if it would delay processing expedited service eligible cases within the time frame.

If the household applies, is screened for, and found to be entitled to expedited service, the Eligibility Worker must complete two cold call attempts to the household the same day the application is submitted or the following working day. If both cold calls were unsuccessful, the Eligibility Worker must send the appointment letter (see Application Processing). If the household does not appear for the interview, the eligibility staff member must generate the household a Notice of Missed Interview notice (NOMI) immediately. If the household reschedules the interview or calls for an interview in time to meet the expedited timeframe, the interview must be completed, identity verified, and benefits must be available to the household by the seventh day. If the household does not complete the interview in time to meet the seven-day time frame, the household loses its entitlement to expedited service and the application is processed within the normal 30 days of the date of application. The loss of expedite entitlement due to the household must be clearly documented in the case file. If the household makes no further contact, the eligibility staff member must send the household a denial notice on the 30th day following the date of application.

The eligibility staff member uses all readily available information/documentation to verify the household’s residency, income, liquid resources, and information provided on the application by the household. Available computer systems such as Equifax/TALX, IEVS, FASCES (child support Voluntary or court ordered payment by an absent parent for the purpose of meeting the needs of his/her child(ren).), SOLQ (social security), EDRs, and all other applicable interfaces must be reviewed and used as verification when applicable.

Issuance of benefits must not be delayed to obtain any information except the identity of the person making application.

A household is not required to provide a Social Security number (SSN) for expedited processing; however, a SSN must be provided or it must be verified that an application for a SSN was submitted to SSA before benefits can continue beyond the expedited period for each household member who does not have a SSN.

Note:If the household is unable to provide proof of application for a SSN for a newborn, the household must provide the SSN or proof of application at its next recertification or within 6 months following the month the baby is born, whichever is later. If the household is unable to provide a SSN or proof of application for a SSN within those times frames, the eligibility staff member will determine if good cause is applicable.

The affidavit for work registration The act of signing the application or recertification form attesting to work registration requirements. is included on the paper and online applications. Upon signing the last page of the application, the participant A person who is eligible for benefits under SNAP, even if that person is not currently receiving benefits because the amount is too low, or the person is under a sanction or disqualification. agrees to register for work. This applies to all other non-exempt individuals in the household. The eligibility staff member must attempt to verify questionable work registration exemptions for all household members but verification must be postponed if the expedited processing time cannot be met.

A household must be eligible for benefits in the month of application to be eligible for expedited processing.

If a household is eligible for the program but is not eligible for expedited processing in the month it applies, the application must be processed under regular procedures within 30 days from the date of the initial application. The application is processed under regular procedures even if the household has zero income in the following month. The first and second months are approved under regular application processing. All information on the application is entered in the integrated eligibility system before eligibility is determined.

Expedited processing allows for postponing verification through the expedited period.

Exception: The applicant’s (e.g., the person making application) identity must be verified before expedited benefits can be authorized. A picture is not required to verify identity, but we must exhaust all viable methods of verification. These include SOLQ and collateral contact An oral confirmation of a household’s circumstances by a person outside of the household. The collateral contact may be made either in person or over the telephone and may include employers, landlords, social service agencies, migrant service agencies, and neighbors of the household who can be expected to provide accurate third-party verifications..

 

The postponed verification must be provided by the last day of the month for which benefits were issued (e.g., the date of application is July 16th, so verification must be provided no later than August 31st). If the last day to provide verification falls on a weekend or holiday, the household has through the following business day The official working days of the week defined as the days between and including Monday to Friday, but do not include weekends and those public holidays during which the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services is closed. If an application or review is filed, a change is reported or verification is provided on a day in which the human service zone office is closed but the Department is open, it will be considered received on that date. to provide the verification.

When a household who is eligible for expedited processing applies on or before the 15th of the month and verification is postponed, the eligibility worker sends a notice that advises the household of expedited benefits and postponed verification.

If postponed verification is received on or before the end of the expedited period, the second month’s benefit must be issued within seven working days from receiving the verification or by the first working day of the second month, whichever is later. Timely notice of adverse action is not required.

If the verifications are not received by the end of the month (or second month for combined issuance cases), close the case for failure to provide required verifications. If the household provides the verifications after benefit termination and still wants to receive benefits for that month, a new application is required.

If the requested verification of expenses is received after the expedited period, the expenses are added to the case the month following receipt of the verification.

Households applying on or after the 16th of the month and eligible for expedited processing must have the first month's prorated benefits AND the second month's full benefits issued on the same day they are determined eligible.

If verification is postponed in this case, the eligibility worker must send a notice that advises the household of expedited benefits and postponed verification. If postponed verification is received on or before the end of the expedited period, the third month’s benefit must be issued within seven working days from receiving the verification or by the first working day of the third month, whichever is later. Timely notice of adverse action is not required.

If the verifications are not received by the end of the month (or second month for combined issuance cases), close the case for failure to provide required verifications. If the household provides the verifications after benefit termination and still wants to receive benefits for that month, a new application is required.

If the requested verification of expenses is received after the expedited period, the expenses are added to the case the month following receipt of the verification.

A household is required to report all changes related to its eligibility at the interview. Because an applicant is notified of their reporting requirements at the interview, a household is required to report changes according to its reporting requirements from the date of the interview.

If a change Information that is different from what is currently used to determine eligibility and/or benefits. is reported after the interview but before the notice of eligibility (approval notice) for ongoing benefits, the eligibility staff member must act on the change within 10 days of the change being reported regardless of the household’s reporting requirements. The change must be included in the eligibility determination for ongoing benefits. Benefits must not be delayed (held or pended) beyond the last day of the expedited period waiting for verification.

Exception: Resources available at the time the household is interviewed are used to make the resource determination. Changes in resources that occur or are reported after the interview but before the notice of eligibility (approval notice) for ongoing benefits is sent to the household are disregarded for the expedited period. The changes must be considered in determining resource eligibility for ongoing benefits.

If there are 10 days before the last day of the expedited period to verify a change, eligibility is not determined until the verification is received. The change is included in the eligibility determination for ongoing benefits.

If there are not 10 days before the last day of the expedited period to verify a change, eligibility is determined for ongoing benefits based on information requested at the interview. The eligibility staff member must request verification be provided within 10 days of sending the notice of a change that is reported after the interview but before the notice of eligibility for ongoing benefits.

If the verification is received before eligibility is determined and the notice of eligibility for ongoing benefits is sent to the household, the change is included in the eligibility determination for ongoing benefits.

If the verification is received after eligibility is determined and the notice of eligibility is sent for ongoing benefits, the change is included in the eligibility determination for the month after receipt of the verification following notice of adverse action procedures.

If the household is interviewed and no verification/information is needed, the eligibility staff member must send the household the approval and the appropriate reporting requirement notices on the same day expedited or continued benefits are authorized.

If more information is needed after the interview to determine continued eligibility and the benefit amount, the eligibility staff member must send a postponed verification notice to the household.

The notice informs the household of the:

1. Benefit amount(s);

2. Required verification(s) needed or the case will close without further notice; and,

3. Expenses requested, e.g., rent, utilities, child support obligation, but the case doesn’t close if the items are not submitted. If not verified, they aren’t allowed as deductions.

The household is not required to report any changes after the interview until receiving the notice of eligibility (approval notice). Therefore, the reporting requirement notice must not be sent prior to the approval notice for continued benefits. If the required postponed verification is submitted before the end of the expedited period, the approval and the appropriate reporting requirement notices are sent to the household on the same day continued benefits are authorized. The household is required to report changes according to its reporting requirements after receiving the notice of eligibility (approval notice).

There is no limit to the number of times a household may be eligible for expedited processing. The following criteria is required before approval for subsequent expedited services:

1. All postponed verification requested during the previous expedited processing must be received;

   OR,

2. The household was certified under normal processing standards Initial applicants must be provided an opportunity to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days following the date of application. since the last expedited certification.

Note: If the household is unable to obtain the postponed information/verification due to no fault of their own, expedited benefits are approved and verification is not postponed for continued benefits. The eligibility staff member must documentClosed in case notes why the information cannot be obtained.

When a resident of an institution A facility which provides an individual with the majority of their meals (over 50% of three meals daily) as part of the facility’s normal services. applies for SNAP and appears eligible for expedited processing before release from the institution, benefits must be available within seven calendar days from the date of release.

If the household files an incomplete application and is being interviewed at home, the application must be completed during the home visit. If a phone interview is conducted, the application must be completed by the eligibility staff member during the interview and mailed the same day to the household for its signature or be signed telephonically if applying through Great Plains Food Bank. Benefits are not authorized until the application is signed. Document Used as a noun, as in documentary evidence indicates a written record of the circumstances of an event or fact. Used as a verb, indicates the act of entering the case file actual proof or statement of proof that the contents of the record are accurate. in case notes explaining good cause for delayed expedited processing.