FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9100 - 9200 SUBJECT: SUMMARY/HOUSEHOLDS
DATE: 6-1-95 ENTITLED TO EXPEDITED SERVICE
9100Summary
Certain households are entitled to receive food stamp benefits within five days of application if otherwise eligible. To accomplish this, special procedures are mandated for processing these applications.
Households entitled to expedited services are identified through a screening process based upon information supplied on page 1 of the Food Stamp Application (DCO-220).
The following section of policy identifies the households entitled to expedited services and describes the procedures under which applications from these households are processed.
9200Households Entitled to Expedited Services
The expedited service requirement applies to the first month of each certification period.
Example 1 -A household is eligible for the month of application but is not entitled to expedited service. The household has very little income in the following month. The household must be certified under normal procedures specified in FSC 8500.
Example 2 -The caseworker determines at the time of the interview that a household is not eligible for the month of application but is eligible for expedited service for the following month. The household must receive its food stamp allotment within five days of the date of application or on the first day of the first month of eligibility, whichever is later. The application will be keyed so the allotment extracts on daily issuance on the first work day of the month. It is permissible to deny the register number for the month of application and to re-register the same application for the next month in these situations.
Expedited application processing will be provided to:
1.All households with $100 or less in countable liquid resources and less than $150 in gross monthly income; or
2.Eligible households in which all members are homeless individuals as defined in FSC 1850; or
3.Eligible households whose total combined gross monthly income and liquid resources are less than the amount incurred by the household for its utilities and rent or mortgage payment; or
4.Destitute households with $100 or less in countable liquid resources. A household may not be considered a destitute household unless it contains migrant or seasonal farmworker members in the job stream. See FSC 9600 for a full explanation.
Sometimes a household disqualified for failure to cooperate with a quality control (QC) reviewer will reapply and be entitled to expedited service. See the Glossary, definition of "Household Cooperation," for additional information.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9200 - 9300 SUBJECT: PRE-SCREENING APPLICATIONS
DATE: 4-1-95
If such a household reapplies within 95 days after the end of the QC annual review period, the household must cooperate with the QC reviewer before it may be certified.
If such a household reapplies more than 95 days after the end of the annual QC review period, the household normally has to provide verification of all eligi-bility requirements prior to being certified. However, if such a household is entitled to expedited service, it must be provided the initial month's benefits based on the expedited service processing requirements. Only identity must be verified before the first month's allotment is issued. Before the household can be issued the second month's benefits, it must provide verification of all eligibility requirements.
9300Pre-Screening Applications
Each initial food stamp application received in the county office must be screened to determine if the household is entitled to expedited services. Screening is accomplished by reviewing the Food Stamp Application (DCO-220) to determine if the household meets the criteria in FSC 9200.
If the household is currently certified and is not in the last month of its current certification period, the household may be attempting to report a change in its circumstances. If the applicant is still in the office, a county worker will interview the applicant to determine why an application was submitted. A Telephone Report (DCO-271) will be completed if necessary.
If the applicant has left the office, a caseworker will review the application in an attempt to determine if the household is trying to report a change in circumstances. If the caseworker can tell that a change has occurred and can determine the extent of the change, the application will be handled as a reported change as specified in FSC 11100-11500. If only page 1 of the application was submitted or if the reason for submitting the application cannot be ascertained through review, the household must be contacted to determine why an application was submitted. If possible, contact will be made by telephone using the DCO-271. If the household cannot be reached by telephone, an Change Report Form (DCO-234) will be issued to the household accompanied by a written explanation and a BRM envelope. The household will be allowed 10 days to respond. If the household does not respond within 10 days by contacting the office to explain why an application was submitted or by submitting the DCO-234, the household's certification period will be shortened. See FSC 11320.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9300 - 9300 SUBJECT: PRE-SCREENING APPLICATIONS
DATE: 6-1-95
EXPEDITED SCREENING GUIDE
STEP 1 - REVIEW ANSWERS TO EXPEDITED QUESTIONS.
Question 1 - If "YES", household is entitled to expedited service. If "NO", go to question 2.
Question 2 - If "NO", go to question 4. If "YES", go to question 3.
Question 3 - If "YES" to both question 2 and question 3, household is entitled to expedited service. STOP and go to Step 2.
If "NO", go to question 4.
Question 4 - If "YES", go to part a and b below. If "NO", go to question 5.
Part a & b - If "YES" to question a and "NO" to question b, household is entitled to expedited service. STOP and go to Step 2.
For any other combination of answers to Parts a & b, refer the case to a service representative.
Question 5 - If "YES", household is entitled to expedited service. STOP and go to step 2. If "NO", the household is not entitled to expedited service. Register as a regular application. Go to field 10 and check "NO". If the household does not agree with the decision, refer the household to a caseworker.
STEP 2 - IF HOUSEHOLD IS ELIGIBLE FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE, REVIEW INFORMATION ON APPLICATION.
Go to page 4. Are there liquid resources listed in items 1, 2, 3, or 4.
If "YES", is the total more than $100?
If the total is more than $100, refer the application to a service representative.
Go to page 5. Is any income listed on the application under unearned and earned income?
If "YES" is the total more than $150?
If the total is more than $150, refer the application to a service representative.
If NO, the application will be handled as a expedited application. Go to Field 10 and check "YES".
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9300 - 9322 SUBJECT: PRE-SCREENING APPLICATIONS
DATE: 4-1-95
For self-employed households, monthly averaged gross self-employment income less allowable costs is used to determine entitlement to expedited service when known. For educational income, the prorated monthly amount (gross educational income minus allowable costs) is used to determine entitlement to expedited service when known. All Title IV income will be excluded prior to determining entitlement to expedited service. For contract income, the prorated monthly amount is used to determine entitlement to expedited service when known.
Liquid resources include cash on hand, checking or savings accounts, savings certificates, and lump-sum payments.
Applications from households found to be entitled to expedited services through this screening process will be processed according to the standards in FSC 9400.
9321Applications Submitted in Person
An individual requesting a food stamp application may verbally indicate that the household is in desperate need. These households will be encouraged to file an application immediately. (If requested, the application form will be provided in an alternative format such as large print, etc.)
Assistance in completing the application form will be provided if requested.
When the application is submitted, county office personnel will immediately screen the application. If the household appears to be entitled to expedited service, the household's application will be processed in accordance with the local county office's expedited procedures. If the household does not appear to be entitled to expedited services, this will be noted at the top of page 1 of the application in the designated area. The application will be processed in accordance with the local county office's regular procedures.
The county should be sensitive to situations where the household may be in desperate need and yet not meet the expedited application criteria. For example, a household may move from one county to another resulting in a break in participation. Participating househlds who move to a new county and reapply will be processed, to the extent possible, so that they receive their food stamps around 30 days from the date they received benefits in the previous month. This applies to any household. Verification will not be postponed on applications that are untimely recertifications.
When an applicant disagrees with a clerical worker's decision not to expedite his application, a caseworker (or eligibility supervisor) must review the application. The applicant may be interviewed to obtain additional information or to clarify inconsistent information. Based upon the application and/or additional information obtained, the caseworker will make a decision about the household's eligibility for expedited services.
9322Applications Received by Mail
Applications received by mail will be screened to see if the applicant has declared an immediate need for food stamps. If, based upon the information on the application, the household is entitled to expedited services, the application will
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9322 - 9324 SUBJECT: AGENCY CONFERENCE
DATE: 4-1-95
be processed in accordance with the local county office's expedited procedures. Lack of a telephone number on the application must not delay delivery of expedited services within the mandated timeframes.
NOTE:Applications received from the Social Security Administration (SSA) through the joint processing provisions (FSC 8920) must also be screened. Expedited applications received from SSA must be processed by the same guidelines.
9323Household Moved From Another State
In some cases, a household that appears to be entitled to expedited service may advise that it has recently moved from another state where it was certified, but it did not receive any food stamp benefits from the other project area for the current month. In such cases, this state must be contacted to determine if food stamps were mailed to the household and not returned or if an Authorization to Participate (ATP) has been cashed. If the state is unable to confirm this and if the household signs a statement that it did not receive these food stamps, the household should be given expedited service. If the state later advises that the household did receive benefits there, a claim must be established for the duplicate issuance in Arkansas.
A household may advise that it has moved and that it has participated in another state for the month in which it applied. In such cases, the household will not be eligible for the month of application because of its previous participation. If the household is eligible for the following month, the caseworker must use the same application to certify the household for the second month. If the household is eligible for expedited service in the second month, the application must be processed within 5 days from the date of application or the first working day of the following month whichever is later.
9324Agency Conference
Households disputing the county office's decision not to expedite a food stamp application will be offered an agency conference within two working days. (The household may request the conference be scheduled at a later date.) Households may orally decline an agency conference.
The household will be advised that the agency conference is optional and will in no way delay or replace an administrative hearing. Even though the agency conference may lead to an informal resolution of the dispute, a hearing must still be held if one has been requested unless the household makes a written withdrawal of its request for a hearing.
Agency conferences will be attended by an eligibility supervisor and by the household and/or its representative. The case worker responsible for the decision to deny expedited services may attend the conference.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9325 - 9401 SUBJECT: PROCESSING STANDARDS
DATE: 1-1-96
9325Use of the Expedited Indicator at Application
See DCOUM 6620 for complete instructions on registering an application.
Dispositions of expedited applications are reported on the FS-3095, Expedited Service Disposals. An expedited application is one where the approval or denial is coded as an initial application (Type A) and the expedited indicator is a code "Y" or "L".
When an applicant is entitled to expedited service, a code "Y" will be entered as the expedited indicator on the registration form. If an applicant is not entitled to expedited service, the expedited indicator will be "N".
If the applicant is found to be entitled to expedited service some time after the application has been registered, the expedited indicator will be changed from a code "N" to a code "L". When a code "L" is entered, the system also requires a late determination date (LDDATE). That will be the date the household was found to be entitled to expedited service.
9400Processing Standards
Food stamps must be received by expedited households (including eligible residents of shelters for battered women and children and drug and alcohol treatment centers) by the fifth calendar day from the date of application. The five day period begins the day after the application is received in the county office and is continuous. No provisions are made for weekends or holidays. For example, if an expedited application is received on Tuesday, November 10; the five day period begins on Wednesday, November 11 (a holiday), and ends on Sunday, November 15.
To insure timely processing, expedited applications from eligible households must be processed and keyed via WFSM no later than the first working day following the day the application was submitted to the county office.
Once the household's allotment has extracted via daily issuance (usually the night of the workday entered via WFSM), Central Mail Issuance will mail the household's allotment the next work day.
Example A -A household applies on Friday, April 17, and is determined to be eligible for expedited service. On Monday, April 20, the household's application is approved via WFSM. That night the household's food stamp allotment extracts via daily issuance. On Tuesday, April 21, the allotment is mailed by CMI.
9401Voter Registration and Expedited Service
Voter registration assistance will be provided to expedited applicants. See FSC 211 - 211.3 for instructions.
Processing of an expedited application will not be delayed to obtain completed voter registration forms.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9410 - 9410 SUBJECT: PROCESSING STANDARDS
DATE: 1-1-96
9410Changes in Expedited Status
If screening fails to identify a household entitled to expedited service and the county later discovers the error, the household must be provided expedited service within five calendar days of the date of discovery. If a household becomes entitled to expedited services as the result of a change which occurred after application but before the interview, the household must be provided expedited service within five days of the date of discovery.
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FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9410 - 9420 SUBJECT: INTERVIEWS
DATE: 4-1-95
Example -The caseworker determines at the time of the interview that the household is entitled to expedited service.
In these instances, the applications must be processed no later than the first work day after the date of discovery.
If a household loses its entitlement to expedited service between the date of application and the date of interview, the caseworker will process the application under the guidelines in FSC 8500.
9420Scheduling Interviews
Application interviews with expedited households must be scheduled to comply with the processing standards specified above. In no instance will the interview be waived in order to process the application within the specified timeframes.
If an expedited applicant misses an interview and requests another, the second interview must be scheduled on the same day if possible since the processing standards still apply. If the applicant declines the rescheduled interview and requests that one be scheduled at a later date, this must be documented in the case record.
When an expedited application is received via the mail, the same processing standards apply. The household will be notified of its appointment for an interview via telephone if possible. If this is not possible, no more than one day will be allowed for mailing the household its appointment for an interview and the reason for the delay must be fully documented in the case record.
When an expedited household misses its first scheduled interview, it still retains its right to expedited service. The application must be held the full 30 day period specified in FSC 8500. When the household requests a second (or third) interview during this 30 day period, its request will be honored. And, if the household is eligible, its application will be processed and keyed via WFSM no later than the first working day following the day of the second interview.
To prevent the application from appearing as overdue on the report of expedited cases, the expedited indicator will be changed on WFAP from a code "Y" to a code "L" and the date of the second interview will be entered as the "LDDATE".
When an expedited household declines an appointment on the date of application or the following day and requests an appointment on a later day, the household retains its right to expedited processing. If the household is eligible, its application will be processed and keyed no later than the first working day following the day of the interview.
Case records will be documented regarding the scheduling of the interviews. This would include copies of all forms used to schedule interviews and a narrative fully explaining the scheduling or rescheduling of the interview.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9430 - 9441 SUBJECT: VERIFICATION
DATE: 4-1-95
9430Out-of-Office Interviews
When expedited households are entitled to an out-of-office interview as specified in FSC 8620, the interview must be conducted on the first working day after the date the application was filed. The application must be processed in accordance with the standards in FSC 9400.
If an application has not been submitted and a telephone interview is conducted, an application must be completed during the course of the interview. The completed application will be mailed that same day to the household for signature. Day one of the processing standards will be the date the signed application is received in the county office.
If an application has not been submitted and a home visit is made, the application will be completed during the home visit. The caseworker who completed the interview will return the application to the county office the same day. Processing standards will begin on the day the home visit is conducted.
9440Processing Expedited Applications
9441Verification
Expedited households must provide verification of the identity of the case head. In addition, the caseworker must make every reasonable effort to verify the household's residency, income (or lack of income), liquid resources, actual utility costs (if used) and medical expenses during the interview. If such verification cannot be obtained during the interview, it will be postponed. That means the application will not be delayed to verify these factors. See FSC 9441.1 for additional information.
The following documentary evidence may be readily available to verify identity. (Other documentary evidence may be used if it clearly verifies the identity of the bearer.)
1.A driver's license.
2.Work or school ID.
3.I.D. for health benefits or other assistance program.
4.Voter registration card.
5.Birth certificate.
6.Wage stubs.
7.Documentary evidence in the case file from previous certifications.
Households which are unable to supply documentary evidence may supply a collateral contact to verify identity. See the Glossary, definition of verification for additional information. Once the collateral has been supplied or assistance has been requested, the caseworker must take immediate action to verify identity through the collateral contact.
The following documentary evidence may be readily available to verify income.
1.Pay check stubs.
2.Pay envelopes.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9441 - 9441.1 SUBJECT: VERIFICATION
DATE: 4-1-95
3.Award letters.
4.Online screens (e.g. - WESD).
It may also be possible to contact an employer or agency by telephone to verify income immediately.
The following documentary evidence may be readily available to verify residency.
1.Rent receipts.
2.Mortgage payment books.
3.Utility receipts.
4.Driver's license containing the applicant's current address.
9441.1Postponed Verification
Verification of the following items may be postponed if a household is entitled to expedited service.
1.Residency.
2.Income (including the lack of income).
3.Liquid resources.
4.Actual utilities.
5.Medical costs.
6.Alien status.
There is no limit to the number of times a household may be certified under the expedited provisions. However, prior to each subsequent expedited certification, the household must either complete the verification requirements that were postponed or be certified under normal processing standards.
Example 1 -A household was certified in August for one month with verification of income postponed. The income verification is supplied when the household reapplies in September. The household is certified for September and October and then does not reapply until the following February. The household is entitled to expedited service in February.
Example 2 -A household was certified in August for one month with verification of income postponed. No income verification is supplied. The household does not reapply until the December. At that time, the household is subject to the full verification requirements.
In some instances when the application period covers more than one month, restored benefits may be provided to households when postponed verification is supplied.
Example 3 -A household applies for food stamps on December 20th. The application shows a member of the household is working so the household is not entitled to expedited service. An appointment is given for January 6. During the interview, the household reports the
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9441.1 - 9443 SUBJECT: THE SSN REQUIREMENT/
DATE: 4-1-95 WORK REGISTRATION
member lost his job. The household is now entitled to expedited service. The household is certified for January and verification of December income is requested. When the income verification is provided, the household is provided restored benefits for December.
Compliance with the social security number (SSN) requirement and the work registration requirement may also be postponed. See FSC 9442 for information on postponing compliance with the SSN requirement. See FSC 9443 for information on postponing compliance with the work registration requirement.
Households certified under the expedited provisions with verification postponed will be issued a Notice of Delayed Application (DCO-206). The DCO-206 will specify which items the household must verify before its next certification.
9442The SSN Requirement
Households certified under the expedited service provisions do not have to declare or apply for a social security number for all members prior to certification. However, the household must declare or apply for a social security number for all members prior to being certified for a second month. See FSC 2200 for a full explanation of the SSN requirement.
9443Work Registration
All non-exempt household members are automatically work registered when the Food Stamp Application (DCO-220) is signed. In counties where the Project SUCCESS Employment and Training (E&T) Program is operated, work registered household members must be referred to the E&T Program via an Information Exchange/Savings Communication (DHS-1410). (This will not apply if the household's upcoming certification period is less than three months.)
Household members who claim a work registration exempt due to disability must provide verification of the exemption unless the disability is obvious. (See FSC 3230.) The processing of an expedited application will not be postponed to obtain such verification. The member who claims the disability will not be referred to the E&T Program. However, this member will be referred at the next certification if verification of disability is not provided and the upcoming certification period will last at least three months.
If an expedited applicant is under a sanction for failure to comply with a Project SUCCESS Program, the applicant will be referred to the Project SUCCESS Unit the same day the application is submitted. Project SUCCESS will be advised on the DCO-1410 that an expedited application was submitted.
If the Project SUCCESS Unit can interview the applicant the same day to determine compliance, the caseworker will wait until compliance has been determined. If not, the application will be processed in accordance with FSC 9400. The household will be assigned the shortest possible certification period. Compliance must be determined before the next certification.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9444 - 9445 SUBJECT: ALIEN STATUS/RESOURCES
DATE: 4-1-95
9444Alien Status
If an alien states he was admitted in an eligible alien category, verification will be completed through the SAVE system if possible within the expedited processing time frames. If not, verification will be postponed.
If an alien states that he was admitted in an eligible alien category and provides a document which appears to be forged, verification of alien status must be postponed if it cannot be completed through SAVE within the expedited processing timeframe. If an alien does not make a statement about alien status but provides a document that shows he is an eligible alien, verification of alien status must be postponed if it cannot be completed within the expedited processing timeframe. (This applies even if the document appears to be forged.) By presenting the document the alien made a statement about his or her alien category.
If an alien does not make a statement regarding his or her alien category and does not provide any verification of alien status, the alien should not be certified for expedited service because the applicant has not provided a statement that he was admitted in an eligible category. Expedited service only provides for postponing verification. If the basic information on citizenship is not provided, there is no basis on which to certify the applicant.
9445Resources
Countable liquid resources include cash on hand, checking and savings accounts, stocks and bonds, and lump sum payments.
Applications from expedited households which have non-liquid resources exceeding the resource limit will be denied. The resource limits are:
1.$3,000 for households with a member age 60 or older (including one-person households); and
2.$2,000 for all other households.
The following chart may be used to determine if the household's declared non-liquid resources exceed the applicable limits. See FSC 7431 for instructions on denying an application whose resources exceed the limits.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9445 - 9445 SUBJECT: RESOURCES
DATE: 4-1-95
NAME OF RESOURCE HOW HANDLED POLICY REFERENCE
Boats Count equity value FSC 4700
unless excluded as
income producing.
Burial Lots Exclude one per FSC 4700
household member.
Count equity value
of excess lots.
Earmarked Funds Exclude as resource if FSC 4460
household is subject to
legal sanction if funds
are not used as intended.
Excess Real Property Count equity value. FSC 4700
Home and Lot Exclude as resource FSC 4410
Household Goods Exclude as a resource FSC 4420
Income Producing Exclude as resource FSC 4440
Property
Indian Lands Exclude as resource FSC 4450
Keogh Plans Count Keogh plans FSC 4650
held solely by a
household member or
members. Count the
total cash value less the
amount of any penalty for
early withdrawal.
IRA's Count the total cash FSC 4630
value less the amount
of any penalty for early
withdrawal.
Jewelry Exclude as a resource FSC 4420
Life Insurance Policies Exclude as a resource FSC 4420
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9445 - 9445 SUBJECT: RESOURCES
DATE: 4-1-95
Resource Chart - Continued
NAME OF RESOURCE HOW HANDLED POLICY REFERENCE
Livestock Exclude as either income FSC 4420/4440
producing property or as a
personal effect.
Property for Sale Consider inaccessible. FSC 4530
Exclude as a resource.
Property in Probate Consider inaccessible. FSC 4520
Exclude as a resource.
Recreational vehicles Count equity value FSC 4840
(three wheelers, motor-
cycles, go-carts, golf-
carts, motor homes, campers
etc.) when used solely for
recreational purposes.
Security Deposits Exclude as a resource. FSC 4550
Tools Exclude as income producing FSC 4420/4440
property or personal prop-
erty.
Trust Funds Exclude as a resource FSC 4510
if inaccessible as defined
in policy reference. If
accessible, count full value
of fund.
Vacation Homes Count equity value unless FSC 4440/4712
(include timeshare the property annually
condominiums, R.V. produces income consistent
parks etc.) with its fair market value.
Vehicles See policy reference. FSC 4800
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9446 - 9446 SUBJECT: CERTIFICATION PERIODS
DATE: 4-1-95
9446Income
Other than destitute households, income for expedited households will be budgeted prospectively. See FSC 7000 for instructions on prospective budgeting. See FSC 6622 for special provisions on selecting the utility standard when the household is entitled to expedited service.
A reference list is provided to assist the caseworker in locating the section of policy which describes the process for determining countable income.
Process Reference
Income........................................FSC 7100 - 7730
FSC 7512
Special Processes
Institutions..................................FSC 1821
Battered Women................................FSC 1841 - 1841.1
Boarders......................................FSC 5621 - 5623
DEFRA Refunds.................................FSC 5704 - 5704.4
Disqualifed Individuals
IPV.......................................FSC 1623.2
SSN Requirement...........................FSC 1623.1
Workfare Sanction.........................FSC 1623.3
Income From Odd Jobs......................FSC 5512.1
Ineligible Alien..............................FSC 1621.3
Installment Contracts.........................FSC 5710
Rental Income.................................FSC 5715
Self-Employment...............................FSC 5640
Sponsored Aliens..............................FSC 1621.5
Strikers......................................FSC 1730
Students
Eligible..................................FSC 1622.7
Ineligible................................FSC 1622.9
Foster Children...........................FSC 5708
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9500 - 9510 SUBJECT: DESTITUTE HOUSEHOLDS
DATE: 4-1-95
9500Assigning Certification Periods
Normal certification periods will be assigned to households certified on an expedited basis when the household has provided necessary verification of all eligibility factors and complied with the SSN and work registration requirements.
See FSC 8700 for instructions on assigning certification periods.
When an expedited application is filed by the 15th of the month, is approved, and verification is postponed per FSC 9441.1, a one-month certification period will be assigned.
When an expedited application is filed after the 15th of the month, is approved, and verification is postponed per FSC 9441.1, the following actions must be completed.
1.Assign a two-month certification period.
2.At certification, furnish the household with another Food Stamp Application (DCO-220) to be completed and submitted to the county office. Also furnish a Notice of Expiration (DCO-239) stating the date by which the household may timely file for recertification. (This date is the 15th of the second month.)
3.Advise the household via Notice of Delayed Application , (DCO-206), of the information the household must furnish to meet the postponed requirements -(e.g., furnish verification of income).
4.Process the second application after all postponed requirements have been met. No second interview will be required. A normal certification period will be assigned.
When a household is certified after the 15th of the month under the expedited procedures, the household will receive an aggregate allotment. See FSC 8651 for the instructions for authorizing aggregate allotments.
9510Notices/Forms
Certain forms and notices are provided to all eligible households (including expedited households) when an application is approved.
These forms and notices are listed below. The policy reference indicates where detailed information regarding the form or notices may be found:
Approval Notice (DCO-1) FSC 8810
The DCO-1 will be issued automatically unless additional information must be provided - e.g., the household is certified pending verification.
Change Report Form (DCO-234) FSC 8820
The DCO-234 will be issued to all households. Its use must be explained.
ID Card (DCO-246 & DCO-247) FSC 8840
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9510 - 9600 SUBJECT: DESTITUTE HOUSEHOLDS
DATE: 4-1-95
An ID card must be issued when:
.The household does not have an ID card; or
.The head of household has changed; or
.The case number has changed; or
.The authorized representative has changed; or
.The household requests a card.
9600Destitute Households
Destitute households are migrant or seasonal farmworker households who have little or no income at the time of application.
A migrant is an individual who travels away from home on a regular basis with a group of laborers to seek employment in an agriculturally related activity.
A seasonal farmworker is an individual who travels away from home on a regular basis to seek employment in an agriculturally related activity.
Even though these households may receive income at some other time during the month of application, they may be in immediate need of food assistance.
There are three income-related criteria under which migrant or seasonal farmworker households may be considered destitute.
1.The household's only income for the month of application is from a new source and no more than $25 from the new source will be received within 10 calendar days of the date of application.
Income normally received on a monthly or more frequent basis is considered to be from a new source if less than $25 has been received from that source in the 30 days prior to the date of application.
Example -A migrant farmworker applies for food stamps on July 15th. He reports that he last worked picking tomatoes on June 16th and received $15.00 in wages for that day's work. He expects to go back to work for the same grower picking okra on July 25th. This income is considered to be from a new source.
Income normally received less often than monthly is considered to be from a new source if less than $25.00 was received at the last normal pay interval.
2.The household's only income for the month of application was received prior to the date of application from a terminated source.
Income received on a monthly or more frequent basis is considered to be from a terminated source when no more income will be received from that source during the month of application or the following month.
3.The household received income from a terminated source prior to the date of application and expects income of less than $25 from a new source within 10 calendar days of the date of application.
Apply this criterium only if the household is to receive no other income in the month of application.
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9610 - 9630 SUBJECT: DESTITUTE HOUSEHOLDS
DATE: 4-1-95
9610Sources of Income for Destitute Households
A migrant or seasonal farmworker's source of income is considered to be the "grower" for whom the farmworker is working at a particular time. A farmworker who travels with the same crew chief but moves to a different grower is considered to have both terminated and new income sources.
A farmworker who changes jobs but continues to work for the same grower is considered to have income from the same source.
A self-employed household member who secures contracts or other work from different customers is considered to be receiving income from the same source as long as he is self-employed. For example, a "crew chief" may contract with a grower to pick a crop for a set amount. The farmworkers are paid from this amount. The crew chief is self-employed. Moving from one grower to another will not result in terminated income for the crew chief.
9620Determining Income for Destitute Households
Destitute households are entitled to special income calculation procedures.
1.Include the income from the terminated source if received between the first of the month and the date of application.
2.Disregard income from a new source anticipated to be received after the date of application.
3.Exclude that portion of a travel advance received by a migrant or seasonal farmworker as reimbursement for travel costs unless paid under written contract as an advance on wages to be subtracted from earnings in that case, count the advance as income.
The receipt of a wage advance for travel costs does not affect the determination of whether subsequent payments from the employer are a new source of income. Neither will these advances affect whether a household is considered destitute.
9621Limits on Special Income Calculations for Destitute Households
The special income calculations will be applied at initial application for the first month of the certification period only. At recertification, income from a new source of less than $25 will be disregarded if not received by the 10th calendar date after the date of the household's normal issuance date. For cases on regular FSMO extract, the first of the month is the household's normal issuance date.
9630Postponing Verification for Destitute Households
Migrant and seasonal farmworker households classified as destitute households applying after the 15th of the month may be assigned a certification period longer than one month. These households will be notified via Notice of Action (DCO-1) that postponed verification from sources within the state must be provided prior to issuance of the second month's allotment. (Verification from out-of-state
FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL SECTION: EXPEDITED CASE ACTIONS
9630 - 9630 SUBJECT: DESTITUTE HOUSEHOLDS
DATE: 4-1-95
sources must be verified before the third month's allotment will be issued.) The EMS-1 must also advise the household that if the supplied verification results in changes in the household's eligibility or food stamp allotment, these changes will be made without advance notice of adverse action.
The household's certification period will be scheduled to end the month before the verification must be supplied.
Destitute households are entitled to postpone out-of-state verification only once each season. If a destitute household has already received this postponement during the current season, verification must be presented prior to the issuance of the second month's allotment.