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\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008100 - 8100                            \'00SUBJECT:  INITIAL APPLICATION       \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                          \'00          PROCESS - SUMMARY         }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8100{\ul Initial Application Process - Summary}
\par
\par An initial application for food stamps is one of the following:
\par
\par A.An application from a household which has never before participated in the Program; or
\par
\par B.An application from a household whose case has been closed or expired and who did not submit an application for recertification before the end of the month {\ul after} the last month of certification.
\par
\par The determination of initial application status is important because the first month's food stamp allotment is usually prorated to date of application when initial application is made.
\par
\par The initial application process begins the day the application is submitted to the county office and ends when the application is approved or denied.  Eligible households who have completed the application process will be allowed to participate in the program by the 30th day.  If this is not possible, the application must be evaluated at the end of the 30-day period to determine if the household or the county was at fault for the delay in processing the application.  If the county office is at fault the application will continue to be processed,; but, if the household is at fault, the application will be denied.
\par
\par Upon approval, food stamp benefits for the month of application are prorated to the date of application if the household's application is approved within 30 days or if the county office causes the initial delay in application processing.
\par
\par The application process consists of the following actions:
\par
\par 1.{\ul Registering the Application}
\par
\par The date of application is the date the application was received in the county office.  The date of application will be entered on page 1 and/or page 4 of the application form as it is received in the county office.
\par
\par 2.{\ul Providing each adult household member with voter registration application assistance as explained in FSC 211 - 211.3}.
\par
\par 3.{\ul Interviewing the Applicant}
\par
\par 4.{\ul Determining that declared household composition is correct and that all members are eligible}.
\par
\par 5.{\ul Work registering members not exempt from this requirement}.
\par
\par 6.{\ul Determining that all members have declared or applied for an SSN}.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008100 - 8120                            \'00SUBJECT:  THE HOUSEHOLD'S RIGHTS AT \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                          \'00          APPLICATION               }\'00
\par
\par
\par 7.{\ul Determining if the household is eligible based on income and} {\ul resources}.
\par
\par 8.{\ul Obtaining all necessary verification}.
\par
\par 9.{\ul Completing all necessary forms, routing them as required and} {\ul organizing the case record as specified}.
\par
\par 10.{\ul Issuing forms and notices to the household as specified}.
\par
\par FSC {\ul 8000} explains the processes of filing an application, registering the application, interviewing the household and determining fault when an application is delayed.  The time frames for completion of the application are also explained.  The actual process used to determine eligibility is covered in FSC {\ul 7000}.
\par
\par 8120{\ul The Household's Rights at Application}
\par
\par A {\ul household} filing an application for food stamps has the following rights.
\par
\par 1.The right to receive, upon request, an application form from the county office.  Requests may be in writing, in person, by telephone, or through another agency or individual.
\par
\par 2.The right to receive the application form in an alternative form, if requested.
\par
\par 3.The right to file an incomplete application in the county of residence either in person, or by mail or through the use of an authorized representative.  An incomplete food stamp application must contain at least the applicant's name and address and the signature of either a responsible member of the household or the household's authorized representative.
\par
\par Applications not containing at least this information will not be registered but will be returned to the household if possible.
\par
\par 4.The right to receive assistance in completing the application form if such assistance is requested.
\par
\par 5.The right to file an application during regular office hours on the same day the household initially contacts the county office to request an application form.
\par
\par 6.For all adult household members, the right to apply to register to vote.  See FSC 211 - 211.3.\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008130 - 8130                            \'00SUBJECT:  THE COUNTY OFFICE'S       \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                          \'00          RESPONSIBILITY            }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8130{\ul The County Office's Responsibilities}
\par
\par The {\ul county office} has the following responsibilities:
\par
\par 1.To {\ul display the required posters}.  The county will prominently display the following posters:
\par
\par a."And Justice For All" or "Nondiscrimination" (FNS-193);
\par
\par b."Food Stamp Rights" (FNS-183);
\par
\par c."Nutrition Information" (PA-1240);
\par
\par d."USDA Food Assistance" (FNS-200);
\par
\par e."SSI Joint Application Processing";
\par
\par The county must also display the Client Assistance Hotline Number poster or in Pulaski County, the local Client Assistance number - 682-8233 or 682-8275 (TDD).  These posters must be displayed in {\ul at least} each waiting area designated for food stamp clients in both public assistance and non-public assistance categories.
\par
\par 2.{\ul To provide food stamp applications}
\par
\par Food stamp application forms (DCO-220's) will be made readily available, upon request, to anyone including outreach groups.  Applications may be requested {\ul in any manner}.  Applications requested by telephone or by mail will be mailed to the household (or outreach group) on the same day the request is received in the county office.
\par
\par 3.{\ul To encourage each household to file an application on the same day} {\ul the initial contact with the county office is made}.  This includes households who contact the office by telephone or in person.
\par
\par 4.{\ul To provide each household with voter registration assistance}.  Voter registration assistance will be provided to adult applicants. (This applies at both initial application and application for recertification.  See FSC 211.3 for additional information.)  Any applicant who does wish to apply to register to vote will be offered assistance in completing the{\i  Arkansas} {\i Voter Registration Application} in the same manner as assistance is offered in completing the food stamp application.
\par
\par 5.{\ul To advise each household of its rights}.  (See these rights in FSC 8120.)
\par
\par 6.{\ul To advise households that they may file their application before} {\ul the date of the scheduled interview}.\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008130 - 8131                            \'00SUBJECT:  THE COUNTY OFFICE'S       \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  5-1-95                          \'00          RESPONSIBILITY/TIMELINESS }\'00
\par
\par
\par 7.{\ul To screen applications to determine if the household is entitled to expedited services}.  (See FSC 8170.)
\par
\par 8.{\ul To record on the application form (DCO-220) the date the applica-tion is received}.
\par
\par 9.{\ul To process the application within the required time frames.  (See} {\ul FSC 8500-8530.)}
\par
\par 8131{\ul Monitoring Timeliness}
\par
\par FSC 8500, Normal Processing Standards, states "Eligible households which complete the application process must be given an opportunity to participate as soon as possible, but not later than 30 calendar days following the date the application was filed."
\par
\par An opportunity to participate means the household must have the food stamps in hand, and food stamp benefits must be mailed to eligible households no later than the 28th day of the application period.  If a food stamp allotment is to be mailed on the 28th day of the application period, FSMO extract must occur on the night of the 27th day.
\par
\par As per FSC 8503, households {\ul found to be ineligible} must be sent a notice of denial as soon as possible but not later than 30 days following the date the application was filed.
\par
\par When an application remains pending on the 30th day, the county must review the application to determine whether the county office or the applicant is at fault for the delay in processing the application.  If the applicant is at fault for the delay, the application will be denied.
\par
\par When the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the application will be denied the first work day following the weekend or holiday.  However, the 30th day will be entered as the denial date on the Food Stamp Application (DCO-220) or the Food Stamp Registration Denial (DCO-211) to prevent the denial from appearing on the system as overdue.
\par
\par Food stamp applications must be monitored daily to insure that these timeliness standards are met.  Each county will devise its own monitoring system.  Any system should make use of the FACTS Pending Applications Screen (WFPA).
\par
\par A list of all food stamp applications currently pending in the county may be viewed on WFPA.  The screen will display each pending application in register number order.  Or, the applications can be displayed by category, by worker, by application type, or by application date.  The following fields are available on WFPA for sorting records.
\par
\par- Category (1-NA or 2-PA)
\par- Worker Number
\par- Expedited Indicator (Y - Retrieves applications code Y or L.)
\par- Application Type (A, B, C, or D)
\par- Prior (Y)
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL       \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS       \'00
\par\'008131 - 8160                           \'00SUBJECT:  CONTACTING THE WRONG OFFICE\'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                         \'00                                     }\'00
\par
\par
\par An entry in the prior field accompanied by a entry in the application date field will display all pending applications for that date and earlier.
\par
\par See Appendix E of the DCOUM for instructions on accessing the WFPA screen.
\par
\par 8140{\ul Contacting the Wrong Office}
\par
\par See FSC 1300 for an explanation of the residency requirements.  A household which contacts a county office in the wrong state will be advised to contact the food stamp office in its state of residence.
\par
\par 8142{\ul Transfers of Case Records}
\par
\par See DCOUM 7360 for instructions about transferring cases from county to county.  Case records are not transferred out of state.  When the household reports that it is moving out of state, any application will be denied and the household will be advised to reapply in its new state of residence.  An DCO-1 may be manually issued to the household stating the date and reason for the denial.
\par
\par 8150{\ul Withdrawing Applications}
\par
\par *A household may voluntarily withdraw its application for food stamps at any time during the application process.  The request may either be made in written or oral form although a written request is preferred.  The household's request to withdraw its application will be documented in the case file.  If the household gives a reason for its withdrawal, this will be included in the documentation.  An automated client notice will be issued to the household to confirm that its application has been withdrawn per its request.  An automated notice will be issued via the FACTS system when the denial reason "21" and client notice "Y" code are completed on the DCO-220, {\i Food Stamp Application}, or the DCO-211, {\i Food Stamp Registration/Denial} form.
\par
\par Completed food stamp application forms {\ul are} {\ul not} {\ul returned} to a household which withdrew an application.
\par
\par NOTE:If the withdrawal request was made by telephone and the household later states it did not make such a request, The same application will be reinstated via DCO-211 using the original date of application.  The household will not be considered to have caused any delays in application processing.
\par
\par 8160{\ul Registering Pending Applications}
\par
\par This section of policy deals only with the registration of pending applications.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008160 - 8161                            \'00SUBJECT:  LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT        \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  5-1-95                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par All food stamp applications with at least a name, an address, and the signature of a household member or an authorized representative are to be registered via the WFAP screen using either the DCO-220 (Food Stamp Application) or the DCO-211 (Food Stamp Registration/Denial) as the input document.  Applications which do not contain at least this amount of information will be returned to the household, if possible, for completion.  The date used as the date of application will be the date when an application which contains at least this minimum amount of information is received in the county office.  (The date of receipt is to be entered on the DCO-220 by the county office on the date received.)
\par
\par NOTE:If the application contains any member's social security number (SSN), name, and date of birth, this information must be entered via WFAP to be used in the IEVS matching process.  If  the member's name, SSN, or date of birth is not available, no information will be entered in the member segment of WFAP since matching will not occur.
\par
\par Expedited applications are to be registered via WFAP no later than one day after the application is received by the county office.  All other applications will be registered no later than the fifth day.  (For applications received on the last work day of the month, the application should be registered before the night of the 4th work day when the application reports are generated.)
\par
\par All applications entered via WFAP in a "pending" status are tracked and related reports are generated through the Food Stamp Automated System to be used by the county office to monitor application processing.
\par
\par 8160.1{\ul Food stamp Lawsuit Settlement}
\par
\par Deleted 5-1-95.
\par
\par 8161{\ul Pseudo SSN's}
\par
\par The social security number (SSN) of the head of the household is the food stamp case number.  In cases where the head of the household cannot locate or does not have his SSN and the application is registered on the Food Stamp Application File (WFAP), all zeroes will be used for the head of the household's SSN.  Any other applicant household member which does not furnish an SSN will not be listed on WFAP.
\par
\par Once the applicant household has been determined eligible to receive food stamps, each member must have an SSN listed on the Food Stamp Master File (WFSM).  For any member who has not provided an SSN at the time the application is approved, a unique pseudo SSN will be obtained from the DHS Social Security Number Data Base (WDHS).
\par
\par The following procedures are to be used in obtaining a unique pseudo SSN.
\par
\par .If a client has never applied for an SSN with DHS, no WNAM search need be conducted.  A unique pseudo SSN will be obtained from WDHS and used on the SS-5, DCO-12, and DCO-233 completed by the caseworker.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008161 - 8170                            \'00SUBJECT:  OBTAINING PSEUDO SSN      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          /SCREENING APPLICATIONS   }\'00
\par
\par
\par .If it is verified that a client has applied for an SSN (completed the SS-5) for AFDC or Medicaid purposes, then the appropriate case record will be checked and a copy of the completed SS-5 will be obtained for the food stamp record.  If the SS-5 was never submitted to the Social Security Administration, it will be necessary to follow the appropriate process in FSC 2221, 2222 or 2223.  If a unique pseudo number is listed on the SS-5 found in the record, it will be necessary to inquire to WDHS to determine if the pseudo number remains on the file.  If a pseudo number is found on WDHS, this number will be used on the new SS-5, DCO-12, and DCO-233.  If no pseudo number is found on WDHS, a new unique pseudo SSN must be obtained for use on the SS-5, DCO-12, and DCO-233.
\par
\par .If it appears a client has applied for an SSN with another division of DHS, the Name Search File (WNAM) will be checked. If WNAM shows only a unique pseudo SSN, WDHS must be checked to see if the pseudo number process has been completed.  If, on inquiry, the number no longer shows on WDHS, the client should have received their SSN.  If the unique pseudo SSN remains on WDHS, the SSN has not yet been reported back to the agency.  The client should be questioned to ensure a second application for a SSN is not made.  If application for an SSN was never completed, the unique pseudo number on WDHS will be used in the SSN application process.
\par
\par .Whenever a member is listed on WFSM with an old pseudo SSN such as 800-00-0001, etc., the appropriate correction should be made.  If an SSN is not located in the case record or cannot be obtained from the household, a unique pseudo SSN should be obtained from WDHS for the member and used in the application for an SSN.
\par
\par Refer to FSC 2221 - 2223 for instructions on completion of the SS-5 and EMS-12.  Refer to DCOUM 20140 for instructions regarding access to WDHS.
\par
\par 8170{\ul Screening Applications}
\par
\par All food stamp applications are to be screened by county office staff at the time of submission to determine if the household is entitled to expedited services.
\par
\par    *\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008170 - 8210                            \'00SUBJECT:  INTERVIEWS                \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par
\par See FSC 9300-9400 for screening procedures and processing households determined to be eligible for expedited services.
\par
\par 8200{\ul The Application Interview}
\par
\par A qualified certification worker (case worker) must conduct an interview with each food stamp applicant.  The applicant may be the head of the household (FSC 1500), his or her spouse, another responsible household member, or the household's authorized representative (FSC 900).
\par
\par The applicant may bring anyone to the interview.  If the applicant (or any accompanying person) becomes physically or verbally abusive to the caseworker during the interview process, the caseworker may terminate the interview and reschedule another time for completion of the interview process.  When applicants are under the influence of intoxicants or are mentally impaired to the extent that an interview cannot be conducted, the caseworker may request the interview be held with another household member or an authorized representative.
\par
\par At any time the caseworker finds it necessary to terminate an interview and/or request that someone else complete the interview, all circumstances surrounding the incident will be fully documented in the case record and reported to supervisory personnel in the county office.
\par
\par 8210{\ul Scheduling Interviews}
\par
\par *Counties may select one of two options for assigning interview times to food stamp applicants.
\par
\par{\ul Option 1} - The county office may assign an interview time to anyone upon that person's request.
\par
\par{\ul Option 2} - The county office may assign an interview time only to households which have submitted a complete food stamp application form.
\par
\par No matter which option is chosen, county offices must insure the policy is applied fairly and consistently to all food stamp applicants.
\par
\par NOTE:For counties which select Option 1, the assignment of an appointment prior to the submission of an EMS-220 must not affect a household's entitlement to expedited service.
\par
\par The minimum requirement is for interviews to be scheduled upon receipt of the food stamp application.  The county office will schedule all interviews with applicant households as promptly as possible.  {\ul Eligible} households must be given an opportunity to participate in the Food Stamp Program within 30 days; therefore, interviews should be scheduled no later then 20 days from the date of application.  When this is not possible, the interview should be scheduled at the first available \page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008210 - 8240                            \'00SUBJECT:  INTERVIEWS                \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par
\par appointment time.  If a household fails to appear for a scheduled interview, no additional interviews will be scheduled unless requested by the household.  Also, each county office must have a plan for scheduling out-of-the office interviews as provided in FSC 8260.
\par
\par 8220{\ul Same Day Interviews}
\par
\par Same day interviews are those interviews conducted with the household the same day the application is filed.  Same day interviews relieve the county office of routinely assigning an appointment time for the interviews.  The caseworker must document the date of the interview on EMS-220.
\par
\par 8230{\ul Interviews Scheduled at a Later Date}
\par
\par When it is not possible for a caseworker to complete an interview with an applicant on the same day as the application is submitted, the applicant must be assigned a date and time to return for the interview.
\par
\par No system of assigning appointments is mandated.  The county may assign each household a specific date and time or may assign appointments in blocks of time.  (In county offices where group presentations are made to cover the household's rights and responsibilities appointments would be assigned in blocks of time.)  However, each county office must have a system in which appointments are assigned in specific manner without favoritism toward any applicant or group of applicants.
\par
\par See FSC 9420 for special instructions on scheduling  interviews for expedited households.
\par
\par 8240{\ul Interviews for Joint AFDC and Food Stamp Applicants}
\par
\par When a household applies for AFDC for {\ul all} of its members, the household will be allowed to apply for food stamps at the same time.  If the applicant wishes to apply for food stamps, an application form (EMS-220) will be completed by the household and processed in accordance with the same standards applied to all other households.
\par
\par See FSC 8960 for a full explanation of processing these applications.
\par
\par The county office will conduct {\ul only} {\ul one} {\ul interview} {\ul when} {\ul a} {\ul household} {\ul makes} {\ul a} {\ul joint} {\ul application} {\ul for} {\ul AFDC} {\ul and} {\ul Food} {\ul Stamps}.  The interview will be comprehensive enough to obtain all information needed for both the AFDC and food stamp applications.  Joint applicants will not be required to see two caseworkers or otherwise be made subject to two interviews in order to make application for both programs; however, such applications may be processed by separate workers to determine eligibility and benefit levels for each program.
\par
\par NOTE:This policy does not prevent a household from making application for food stamps separately {\ul if} this is what the household wishes to do.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008240 - 8250                            \'00SUBJECT:  INTERVIEWS                \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par There is no mandated procedure for scheduling interviews for joint AFDC/Food Stamp applicants; however, any procedure used must ensure that eligible households have access to the Food Stamp Program within 30 days of the date of application.
\par
\par 8250{\ul Conducting Interviews}
\par
\par At a minimum the interview of the food stamp applicant must cover the topics listed below.
\par
\par 1.Applicants must be advised of their right to a confidential interview.
\par
\par 2.Applicants must be advised of their rights and responsibilities.  This includes:  (a) their rights under the Privacy Act (that information in the case record will only be released under the conditions specified in FSC 530); (b) their right to review the contents of their case record (FSC 540); (c) their right to a administrative hearing (FSC 16300); and (d) their responsibility to cooperate during the interview and certification process.
\par
\par 3.All adult applicants present in one office will be provided with voter registration assistance.  See FSC 211 - 211.3.
\par
\par 4.Applicants must be advised that all food stamp cases are subject to review by Quality Control and that failure to cooperate with Quality Control results in case closure.
\par
\par 5.Applicants must be advised that Social Security numbers (SSN's) must be declared and verified for all household members.  The uses of the SSN will also be explained.  (See FSC 2000).
\par
\par 6.The caseworker must assist applicants in completing the application form if necessary.
\par
\par 7.The caseworker must review the information on the application with applicants and resolve any unclear or inconsistent information.
\par
\par 8.The caseworker must request needed verification, and must advise applicants how to return this information to the county office.  As long as the household is cooperating in completing the application process, the caseworker must assist the household in obtaining the needed verification when the caseworker becomes aware that assistance is needed.  See FSC 8300 for an explanation of cooperation.  A business reply mail envelope will be provided to the household to return the verification or applicants may return the information in person.
\par
\par 9.Applicants will be advised of the time frames under which his or her application will be processed.
\par
\par 10.Applicants will be advised of the consequences of a voluntary quit as explained in FSC 3600.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008260 - 8270                            \'00SUBJECT:  INTERVIEWS                \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par
\par 11.Applicants will be issued an EMS-234 (Report of Change form) and advised to use the form to report changes.  See FSC 11210 for the reporting requirements.
\par
\par 12.Applicants will be advised of the consequences of a voluntary quit as explained in FSC 3600.
\par
\par 8260{\ul Interviews Held Out of the Office}
\par
\par Normally, a face-to-face interview with the applicant is conducted in the county office.  However, the in-office interview will be waived upon request by any household which is unable to appoint an authorized representative and which has no household member able to come to the office because all members are aged (60 and/or older) or have a physical or mental impairment.
\par
\par In addition, out-of-office interviews may be granted to households on a case-by-case basis under a hardship provision.  Hardship provisions apply to any household which is unable to appoint an authorized representative and which no household members can appear for the interview due to lack of transportation or similar problems.  Valid hardships also include:
\par
\par a.Illness;
\par
\par b.The presence of the applicant is required in the home to care for an ill or disabled household member;
\par
\par c.Prolonged severe weather; or
\par
\par d.Work hours or hours of participation in a job training course which preclude an in-office interview - e.g. the only member available to come in for the interview works from 8:00 to 4:30 and cannot leave the job; or
\par
\par e.Residing in a rural area.
\par
\par The household may also choose to appoint an authorized representative to appear at the interview.
\par
\par The case record will be documented to reflect the household requested an out-of-office interview and why the request was either approved or denied.
\par
\par The county office has the option of conducting the out-of-office interview either by telephone or through a home visit.  If a home visit is selected, the date and time of the visit must be scheduled in advance with the household.
\par
\par All normal verification requirements apply to households who have an out-of-office interview.  However, special procedures such as the use of collateral contacts may be necessary in order for the household to comply with verification requirements within the allowed 30-day processing period.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008260 - 8300                            \'00SUBJECT:  INTERVIEWS WITH AR's/     \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  1-1-96                          \'00          HOUSEHOLD COOPERATION     }\'00
\par
\par
\par At the time of the home visit, the worker must provide voter registration assistance as instructed in FSC 211 - 211.3.
\par
\par 8270{\ul Interviews with Authorized Representatives}
\par
\par Interviews with authorized representatives (AR's) will be conducted when requested by the household.  The authorized representative will be an individual designated on the DCO-220 or in writing by the head of the food stamp household, his or her spouse, or another responsible household member.
\par
\par Interviews with AR's are conducted in the same manner as interviews with a member of the food stamp household.  For this reason the AR must be an individual familiar with the household's circumstances.
\par
\par The household is liable for any overissuances of food stamps resulting from erroneous information given by the AR.  Therefore, if possible, the head of the household, his or her spouse, or another responsible household member should prepare the application or review it before its submission to the county office.
\par
\par See FSC 900 through 986 for full information on authorized representatives.
\par
\par 8300{\ul Household Cooperation}
\par
\par Before the household's eligibility can be determined, it must cooperate by:
\par
\par 1.{\ul Completing} {\ul and} {\ul signing} {\ul the} {\ul application} (the county office is to provide assistance in completing the application if such assistance is requested by the household); and
\par
\par 2.{\ul Cooperating} {\ul in} {\ul the} {\ul interview} {\ul process}; and
\par
\par 3.{\ul Verifying} {\ul certain} {\ul information} {\ul on} {\ul the} {\ul form}.
\par
\par Refusal to cooperate with any of these processes will result in denial of the application at the time of the refusal.
\par
\par Refusal to declare and/or verify a Social Security number (SSN) for any household member as specified in FSC 2200 will result in the disqualification of that member at the time of the refusal.
\par
\par A household which {\ul is} {\ul able} to cooperate but clearly demonstrates that {\ul it} {\ul will} not take the actions required to complete the processing of its application for food stamps is considered to have refused to cooperate.
\par
\par Example 1 -A household which refuses to sign the DCO-220, {\i Food Stamp Application}, would be denied immediately for refusal to cooperate.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008300 - 8320                            \'00SUBJECT:  SUSPECTED OVERPAYMENTS/   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          REFUSAL TO COOPERATE      }\'00
\par
\par
\par If there is any question about whether the household has refused to cooperate or simply failed to cooperate, the application will not be denied.
\par
\par Example 2 -A household which fails to appear for an interview is not {\ul clearly} demonstrating that it is refusing to cooperate.  Therefore, the application will not be denied until the end of the normal processing period.
\par
\par No household will be denied food stamp benefits solely because someone outside the household failed to cooperate with a request for verification.  The term "outside the household" will not apply to ineligible students, ineligible aliens, or to individuals disqualified for one of the following reasons:  a) intentional program violation; b) failure to provide a Social Security number; c) non-compliance with the work registration requirements; or d) non-compliance with the workfare requirements.
\par
\par Households which are denied for refusal to cooperate may reapply but eligibility cannot be determined until the needed cooperation is provided.
\par
\par 8310{\ul Households with Suspected Overpayments}
\par
\par At times, caseworkers must process an application (initial or recertification) on a household which is suspected of having received an overpayment of food stamps but which left the Program before the county office could determine if an overpayment did exist.  These households must cooperate with the county office in determining the amount of the overpayment by providing check stubs, income statements, etc.
\par
\par Refusal of the household to attempt to furnish the information needed to complete the overpayment will result in denial of the household's application.  If the household attempts to furnish the information but is {\ul unable} to do so, the caseworker must assist the household in attempting to obtain the information.  All attempts to obtain the needed information will be documented in the case record, but the application will not be denied.  See FSC 15400 for the procedure to complete overpayments when needed verification cannot be obtained.
\par
\par A households which refuses to furnish information needed for an overpayment may reapply but will not be found eligible until it agrees to cooperate in attempting to furnish the information.
\par
\par 8320{\ul Refusal to Cooperate Following Certification}
\par
\par If a household currently participating in the Food Stamp Program refuses to cooperate in any subsequent review of its eligibility, the food stamp case will be closed.  Such reviews may be:
\par
\par 1.Requests for information, verification or compliance with a Program requirement following a report of a change by the household;
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008320 - 8500                            \'00SUBJECT:  NORMAL PROCESSING         \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00          STANDARDS                 }\'00
\par
\par
\par 2.Requests for information, verification or compliance with a Program requirement following a report from a source other than the household - e.g. field investigation;
\par
\par 3.Requests for information, verification or compliance with a Program requirement at recertification;
\par
\par 4.Requests for an interview and/or information necessary to complete a Quality Control Review including the household's signature on consents for information needed by Quality Control;
\par
\par 5.Requests for the household to participate in any special reviews conducted by the county for targeted households; and
\par
\par 6.Requests for information and/or verification necessary to complete outstanding overpayments.
\par
\par A household which refuses to cooperate in a subsequent review of its case may reapply for food stamps but will not be found eligible until it cooperates with the county office with the following exception.
\par
\par Exception -A household which refuses to cooperate in the Quality Control Review process may reapply after the end of the review period and be found eligible.  See the Glossary definition of "Household Cooperation" for an explanation.
\par
\par *8500{\ul Normal Processing Standards}
\par
\par The normal processing standard for initial food stamp applications is 30 days.  {\ul Eligible} households which complete the initial application process must be given an opportunity to participate in the Food Stamp Program {\ul as soon as possible, but not later than 30 calendar days following the date the application was filed}.
\par
\par An application is filed the day the appropriate county office receives an EMS-220, Food Stamp Application, containing at least the applicant's name, address and the signature of a responsible member of the household or the household's authorized representative.  See FSC 8100 through 8141 for a full explanation of the filing process.
\par
\par As per FSC 8503, households {\ul found to be ineligible} must be sent a notice of denial {\ul as soon as possible but not later than 30 days following the date the application was filed}.  If the 30th day falls on a non work day, the notice of denial must be sent on the first work day after the 30th day.
\par
\par At the time of the application interview, the household will be issued an EMS-206, Notice of Delayed Application, if the application is pended for additional information.  Unless additional time is requested by the household, the household will be allowed 10 days to furnish needed verification.  See FSC 8506.  Before the form is issued to the household, a county worker must explain the actions the household must take and offer to assist the household in obtaining the verification.  The county worker must check the appropriate box on the EMS-206 to show if assistance was offered.\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008500 - 8500                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING APPOINTMENTS    \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par
\par On the 30th day following the date of application the county must assess each application that is still pending.  (If the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, this will be the first work day after the 30th day.)  A county worker must review the information found in the case record to determine if the household or the county caused the delay in processing the application.  See FSC 8520 - 8521.
\par
\par If the county is at fault for the delay in processing, the application will not be denied.  Instead, the application will be held for up to 30 additional days from the date of application while the county office and/or the household takes any actions necessary to complete the application process.  
\par
\par A delay will be considered the fault of the household if the household has failed to complete the application process even though the county office has taken all the actions it is required to take to assist the household.  If the client is at fault for the delay in processing the application, the application will be denied on the 30th day or if the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the first working day after the 30th day.  
\par
\par Although the application will be denied, the applicant retains his right to complete his application for a full 60 calendar days after the date of application by supplying all needed information.
\par
\par Applicants who must supply additional information will normally be allowed 10 days to do so.  When an application is denied before the 30th day of the application processing period, the applicant still retains his right to benefits back to the date of application.  Therefore, if the application is denied before the 30th day and the applicant supplies the needed information on or before the 30th day, the application will be reinstated using the original date of application.  Benefits will be prorated to the date of application.
\par
\par If an applicant whose application has been denied {\ul on} the 30th day supplies all needed information before the 60th calendar date following the date of application, the county must take the following actions:
\par
\par   .Locate the denied application;
\par   .Reregister the denied application using the date on which all needed information was supplied as the date of application; and
\par   .Dispose of the application.
\par
\par The household must not be required to either submit a new application form or have a second interview.  If the household reports any changed information then this information must be acted upon before approval of the application.
\par
\par Each county must develop a system to insure applicants who were denied on the 30th day retain their right to complete the original application when all needed information is submitted before the 60th day.  No system is mandated, but each county must be able to demonstrate compliance with these provisions.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008501 - 8503                            \'00SUBJECT:  PROCESSING STANDARDS/     \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00          DENIAL NOTICE             }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8501{\ul Assigning Appointments}
\par
\par Households should be assigned an appointment for an interview within 20 days following the date of application.  If the household misses this appointment, another will be assigned only upon request.  If a household misses an appointment for an interview assigned within 20 days of the date of application and does not request another by the 30th day, the application will be denied effective the 30th day.  Day one is the day following the date the application is received by the county office.  See FSC 8210 - 8240 for additional information.
\par
\par 8502{\ul Time Frames for Processing Approvals} 
\par
\par Households which have completed the application process and been found eligible will be provided an opportunity to participate as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days following the date of application.  "Opportunity to participate" means receipt of coupons by the household.  In order to give a household an opportunity to participate by the 30th day, coupons must be mailed on or before the 28th day.  In order to meet these mandated time frames, the county office must key the approval no later than the 27th day.  If the 28th day falls on a non-workday, the county office must key the approvals far enough in advance so that benefits will be received by the 30th day.
\par
\par Example:A household filed an application on October 31.  The 28th day is on a Monday and that is a holiday.  In order for benefits to be received by the 30th day, the approval must be keyed no later than the 24th day.
\par
\par 8503{\ul Time Frames for Processing Denials}
\par
\par Households found to be ineligible will be denied as soon as possible.  Households which failed to appear for an interview scheduled by the 20th day and did not request another will be denied effective the 30th day.
\par
\par Households which fail to provide needed verification at the time of the application interview will be allowed 10 days to provide the verification.  (EXCEPTION - Households which miss their first interview must complete the application process before the 30th day of the application period {\ul if} the first interview was scheduled on or before the 20th day of this period.  If the household requests a second interview which is scheduled after the 20th day, the household must complete all requirements and supply all information by the 30th day.)  If the household indicates additional time is needed, up to 30 days, or 60 days as applicable, may be allowed to provide the needed information.  If the missing verification is not received during the specified 10 day period and the household does not contact the county office to report a problem, the application will be denied at the end of the 10 day period.  See FSC 8506.
\par
\par For applications to be denied on the 30th day or the worker will allow the household the entire 30th day of the application processing period.  "Allow the household the entire day" means the household may provide the requested verification at any time on the 30th day.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008503 - 8505                            \'00SUBJECT:  SUMMARY OF ACTIONS        \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par *The notice of denial must be sent no later than the 30th day following the date of the application.  The effective day (denial date) of denial is the date of the 30th day.  Even if the 30th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the effective date remains the date of the 30th day.  Denial documents should be completed no later than the first work day following the 30th day and no earlier than 30th day.  Generally, denial documents should be keyed no later than the second day following the date the EMS-211 or EMS-220 is completed.  If denial documents are completed prior to the time the household supplies needed information on the 30th day, the denial notice will be voided.
\par
\par 8504{\ul Contents of Denial Notice}
\par
\par When a household's application is denied, a notice explaining the action will be sent to the household.  Automated notices may be sent unless the denial is based on the household's failure to provide requested informa-tion.  See EMSUM, Appendix H.
\par
\par If the denial is based upon the household's failure to submit requested information within 30 days of the date of application, the household retains the right to have its application re-instated by submitting all requested information within the 60 day period from the date of application.  (This includes denials completed at the conclusion of 10 day notice period as explained in FSC 8506.)
\par
\par A manual EMS-1, Notice of Action, will be prepared to advise the household of the following information:
\par
\par 1)That its application has been denied and the reason for the denial.  If the household has not provided required information, the statement must specify which information has not been provided.
\par
\par 2)What action the household must take to reactivate the application.  If information is missing, the statement must specify the information to be supplied.
\par
\par 3)That the household may continue the application process without submitting another application until (specify day 60 of the application period) by providing the required information.
\par
\par 4)That the household must submit a new application, if, at the end of the 60 day period, the household has not taken the needed action but still wishes to participate in the program.
\par
\par *8505{\ul Summary of Actions on Application Approvals/Denials}
\par
\par An application for food stamps may be completed as soon as all requirements for an interview, verification, work registration and the SSN requirements are met.  (See FSC 9440-9448 for special procedures on households entitled to expedited application processing.)
\par
\par At any time the household is found to meet all requirements and is determined eligible to participate in the Program.  The following actions will be completed.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008505 - 8506                            \'00SUBJECT:  DELAYED APPLICATIONS      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par 1.If the applicant is still present, he will be verbally advised of the determination of eligibility, the length of the period of certification, and the food stamp allotment.  The notice of action will be generated via the online system.
\par
\par 2.If an EMS-234, Change Report Form has not already been issued the household at its interview, and a business reply mail envelope will be given or mailed to the household.  If the applicant is present, the use of the form will be explained.  See FSC 11200.
\par
\par 3.An EMS-236, Food Stamp Identification Card will be issued if the household does not have one.  The fact that many grocers require the household to present a Food Stamp Identification Card before food stamps are accepted will be explained.
\par
\par 4.An EMS-233, Food Stamp Authorization Document will be completed and routed.  
\par
\par 5.Supporting documentation will be completed.
\par
\par 6.E & T Forms such as the EMS-205 or EMS-1410 will be routed.  Any completed SS-5's and/or EMS-12's will be sent to SSA.
\par
\par 7.The case record will be organized as specified in Appendix A.
\par
\par 8.The case record will be routed in accordance with local county office procedures.
\par
\par If the household is determined to be ineligible, the following actions will be completed.
\par
\par 1.If the applicant is still present, he will be verbally advised of the reason for ineligibility and the household's rights to an administrative hearing.  The notice of action will be prepared manually.  The application form will not be returned to the household.
\par
\par 2.The applicable sections of the EMS-211 or EMS-220 will be completed, and the form submitted to the terminal operator for entry into FACTS.
\par
\par 3.The case record will be organized as specified in Appendix A.
\par
\par 4.The case record will be routed according to office procedures.
\par
\par 8506{\ul Pending Applications}
\par
\par At the time of the application interview, the caseworker may determine that the household must provide additional information/verification in order to establish its eligibility for the Food Stamp Program.  In most instances, households may be allowed 10 additional days to provide the missing verification.
\par
\par NOTE:Households which miss their first interview may not have 10 days to provide all needed information.  It the first interview was scheduled before the 20th day and the household missed this \page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008506 - 8506                            \'00SUBJECT:  DELAYED APPLICATIONS      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par appointment but requested another appointment which was scheduled between the 20th and the 30th day, the household must complete all requirements before the 30th day.
\par
\par At the time of the interview, households will be notified via the {\ul Notice of Delayed Application} (EMS-206) of the information which must be supplied and of the date by which it must be provided.  (Day one of the 10 day period will be the date after the EMS-206 is issued to the household.)  The case worker will offer to assist the household in obtaining the missing verification and will advise the household that its application will be denied if the information is not returned by the date indicated on the EMS-206.
\par
\par If the missing verification is not received in the county office within the specified 10 day period, and the household does not contact the county office during that period to report a problem with obtaining the missing verification, the household's application will be denied or, when the missing verification is for medical costs or actual utility costs, these costs will be disallowed when the application is processed.  (The application will be denied only if disallowing these costs cause the household to be ineligible.)  See FSC 6524 for information on verification of medical costs.  See FSC 6627 for information on verification of actual utility expenses.
\par
\par If the household contacts the county office to report a problem with obtaining the missing verification, the case worker will offer to assist the household in obtaining the needed verification.  The application will be held for up to the maximum number of days (30 or 60 as applicable per FSC 8520 - 8521) to allow the household time to provide the information.
\par
\par If the household supplies requested verification and the case worker determines that additional information is needed, the household {\ul may} {\ul be} {\ul given} {\ul up} {\ul to} {\ul 10} more days to supply the missing verification.  An EMS-206 will be issued to the household to advise the household of the missing information, and the date by which the information must be supplied.  However, the application will not be held longer than the 30 day (or 60 day) standard to obtain the missing verification.
\par
\par For applications denied before the 30th day, when missing verification is supplied after the date of denial but before the end of 30th day after the date of application, the application will be reinstated.  If the household is found eligible, benefits will be prorated from the date of application.
\par
\par For applications approved before the 30th day with medical costs or actual utility expenses disallowed, if the household provides verifica-tion on or before the 30th day, the budget will be recalculated {\ul for} {\ul the} {\ul month} {\ul of} {\ul application}.  Lost benefits will be issued to the household via a supplemental issuance (FSC 13200) or a restored benefit (FSC 13300).  Verification of medical costs or actual utility expenses received after the 30th day will be handled as a reported change.  See FSC 11300.  
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008506 - 8520                            \'00SUBJECT:  DELAYED APPLICATIONS      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00                                    }\'00
\par
\par When the county causes the delay in processing, a denial may occur between the 31st day and the 59th day.  In these instances, when verification is supplied after the denial date but before the end of the 60th day after the date of application and the household is found eligible, benefits will be prorated from the date of application.  See FSC 8520 for additional information.
\par
\par Households which cause the delay in processing resulting in the application's denial on the 30th day of the application processing period retain their rights to reinstatement of the application if the missing information is supplied after the 30th day but before the 60th day.  However, if the household is found eligible, benefits will be prorated to the date the needed information is supplied.  See FSC 8521 for additional information.
\par
\par 8510{\ul Delayed Applications}
\par
\par Applications which have been neither approved nor denied by the 30th day of the application processing period are considered delayed applications.  This includes applications given 10 day notices to supply information.  These applications do not become "overdue" until the 31st day of the processing period.
\par
\par On the 30th day, all delayed applications must be assessed; and depending on whether the county or the household is at fault for the delay, the appropriate actions must be taken.
\par
\par See FSC 8520-8521 and the chart in FSC 8522 for information on determining fault.
\par
\par 8520{\ul Determining Fault - County Caused Delay}
\par
\par The county office is considered to have caused a delay in application processing when the household has completed all required actions but the caseworker has:
\par
\par a.Not followed processing guidelines; or
\par
\par b.Not scheduled the first appointment for an interview by the 20th day after the date of application; or
\par
\par c.Failed to provide the household with a statement of required verification (EMS-206); or
\par
\par d.Failed to offer assistance in obtaining required verification even though the household was cooperating and the caseworker was aware that the household was having difficulty obtaining the verification; or
\par
\par e.Not allowed the household sufficient time to provide the missing verification; or 
\par
\par f.Failed in some other way to complete the application process - e.g., not completed all the necessary paperwork.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008520 - 8521                            \'00SUBJECT:  DETERMINING FAULT ON      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00          DELAYED APPLICATIONS      }\'00
\par
\par The county office must take any actions necessary to complete the application process.  For example, if all the information required to complete the application has been provided by the household, but the application has not yet been processed, the county must process the application immediately.  If this is not done, a notice (EMS-1) must be sent to the household explaining the delay.
\par
\par In cases where verification is incomplete, the county office must have:
\par
\par 1.Provided the household with a statement of required verification (properly completed EMS-206);
\par
\par 2.Offered to assist the household in obtaining required verification; and
\par
\par 3.Allowed the household sufficient time to provide the missing verification.
\par
\par If the household has not been notified by EMS-206 of the information which must be provided to process its application, an EMS-206 will be prepared and mailed to the household.  For example, if the delay in application processing is due to the fact that the household has not been notified via EMS-206 of its responsibility to provide verification of its income, a EMS-206 requesting verification of income will be completed and sent to the household.  The EMS-206 must specify the date by which this information must be provided.  (This is the 60th day after the date of application.  Or, if the 60th day falls on a weekend or holiday, this is the first working day after the 60th day.)
\par
\par The timing of the household's first interview is vital.  If the household's first interview was scheduled between the 20th and 30th day of the application period and the household appeared for the interview but did not provide all required verification, the delay is considered the fault of the county.  If the household has failed to appear for its for its first interview and has requested a second interview but the county office cannot reschedule the interview until after the 30th day, the delay is considered to be the fault of the county.  If a household fails to appear for its first interview scheduled between the 20th and the 30th day of the application period and makes no request to reschedule its interview, the delay is considered the fault of the county.  In each instance the household's application must be held for 60 days before denial unless the household is otherwise determined to be ineligible.  If the household completes the application process and is found eligible, benefits will be provided from the date of application.
\par
\par 8521{\ul Determining Fault - Client Caused Delay}
\par
\par A delay will be considered the fault of the household if the household has failed to complete the application process even though the county office has taken all the actions it is required to take to assist the household.
\par
\par For households that have failed to complete the application form, the household is at fault if the county office offered or attempted to offer assistance in its completion on or before the 30th day of the application period.  (This will apply if the household is interviewed on or before the 30th day of the application period and refuses to provide the information needed to complete the application form and determine the household's eligibility.)
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008521 - 8521                            \'00SUBJECT:  DETERMINING FAULT ON      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00          DELAYED APPLICATIONS      }\'00
\par
\par If the household attended an interview scheduled by the 20th day of the application period, was properly notified of any missing information via EMS-206, and was offered assistance in obtaining verification, the delay is considered to be the fault of the household.
\par
\par If the household fails to appear for an interview scheduled on or before the 20th day of the application period and makes no request to reschedule its interview, the application will be denied on the 30th day.  The household must submit another application if it wishes to reapply.
\par
\par If the county office schedules at least two interviews during the first 30 days of the application processing period and the household appears for neither interview, the application will be denied on the 30th day.  The household must submit another application if it wishes to reapply.  Additional requests for rescheduling of interview will be granted. However, this does not alter the fact that the application will be denied on the 30th day or the fact that the household must submit another application if it wishes to reapply.
\par
\par If the household has failed to appear for its first interview and a second interview is requested but cannot be rescheduled until after the 20th day but before the 30th day following the date the application was filed, the household must appear for the interview and provide verification by the 30th day; otherwise, the delay will be the fault of the household and the application will be denied on the 30th day.
\par If the household has failed to appear for its first interview and has requested its second interview be rescheduled after the 30th day, the application will be denied on the 30th day.  If the household appears for the interview, the same application form will be reregistered with the date of the interview as the date of application.
\par
\par See the charts in FSC 8530 for additional information.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008530 - 8530                            \'00SUBJECT:  DETERMINING FAULT ON      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  7-1-93                          \'00          DELAYED APPLICATIONS      }\'00
\par
\par\page
\par                                                                                                       
\par{\b FSC 8530 - CHART - DETERMINING FAULT AS PER FSC 8520-8521}
\par
\par
\par{\ul           REASON FOR THE DELAY              \'00      FAULT     \'00                 ACTION                         }
\par                                             \'00                \'00
\par The household has been interviewed and has  \'00     Agency     \'00 Process the application.  If the application
\par furnished all needed information.  The      \'00                \'00 cannot be approved, or denied, notify the
\par application has not been processed.         \'00                \'00 household.  If approved, prorate benefits to
\par                                             \'00                \'00 the date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par No appointment for an interview was         \'00     Agency     \'00 Schedule an appointment for an interview.
\par scheduled for the household.                \'00                \'00 Continue to hold the application up to 60
\par                                             \'00                \'00 days.  If approved, prorate benefits to the 
\par                                             \'00                \'00 date of application.             
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household's first interview was         \'00     Agency     \'00 Continue to hold the application up to 60
\par scheduled more than 30 days following the   \'00                \'00 days.  If approved, prorate benefits to the 
\par date of application.                        \'00                \'00 date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household's appointment for an interview\'00     Agency     \'00 Continue to hold the application.  Allow house-
\par was first scheduled between the 20th and    \'00                \'00 hold 10 days to provide needed information.  
\par 30th day following the date of application. \'00                \'00 (If household indicates additional time is needed,
\par The household appeared for the interview but\'00                \'00 allow up to 60 days.)  If application is approved,
\par failed to furnish all needed information.   \'00                \'00 prorate benefits to the date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household was interviewed but failed to \'00     Agency     \'00 Offer assistance to household via EMS-206.
\par provide the necessary verification.  The    \'00                \'00 Continue to hold the application.  Allow house-
\par caseworker did not offer to assist in       \'00                \'00 hold 10 days to provide needed information.  (If 
\par obtaining the needed verification.          \'00                \'00 household indicates additional time is needed, 
\par                                             \'00                \'00 allow up to 60 days.)  If application is approved
\par                                             \'00                \'00 prorate benefits to the date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household was interviewed but was not   \'00     Agency     \'00 Prepare an EMS-206 to notify household.  
\par notified via EMS-206 of any missing infor-  \'00                \'00 Continue to hold the application.  Allow house-
\par mation/verification which is needed to      \'00                \'00 hold 10 days to provide needed information.  (If
\par establish eligibility.                      \'00                \'00 household indicates additional time is needed,
\par                                             \'00                \'00 allow up to 60 days.)  If application is approved,
\par                                             \'00                \'00 prorate benefits to the date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household missed their first interview  \'00     Agency     \'00 Continue to hold the application up to 60
\par and requested a second.  The second inter-  \'00                \'00 days.  If approved, prorate benefits to the
\par view is scheduled after the 30th day.       \'00                \'00 date of application. 
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par Page 1 of 2
\par\page
\par
\par                                                                                                       
\par
\par
\par
\par{\ul           REASON FOR THE DELAY              \'00      FAULT     \'00                 ACTION                         }                                                  \'00                \'00
\par The household missed its first interview    \'00     Household  \'00 Reregister the application if the household
\par scheduled before the 20th day and {\ul requested} \'00                \'00 appears for the second interview.  Prorate 
\par its second interview be scheduled after the \'00                \'00 benefits to the date of the second interview.
\par 30th day.                                   \'00                \'00
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The application form is not complete even   \'00     Household  \'00 Deny the application.  Reregister the applica-
\par though at the interview the household was   \'00                \'00 tion if it is completed in the next 30 day 
\par offered assistance in completing the form.  \'00                \'00 period.  Prorate benefits to the date on which
\par                                             \'00                \'00 the application was completed.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household failed to appear for its      \'00     Household  \'00 Deny the application.
\par scheduled interview and did not request a   \'00                \'00
\par second interview.                           \'00                \'00 This application cannot be reinstated within
\par                                             \'00                \'00 next 30 day period.  The household must 
\par                                             \'00                \'00 reapply.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household's first interview was         \'00     Household  \'00 Deny the application.
\par scheduled within 20 days of application.    \'00                \'00
\par The household appeared for the interview but\'00                \'00 Reregister application if requested verifica-
\par failed to provide all needed verification,  \'00                \'00 tion is received within 60 days of the date of
\par within the specified time.  (Households are \'00                \'00 application.  Prorate benefits to the date on
\par allowed up to 10 days to provide verifica-  \'00                \'00 which the verification was received unless 
\par tion unless additional time is requested.   \'00                \'00 verification was received before the 30th day.
\par                                             \'00                \'00 In that case, benefits willbe prorated to the 
\par                                             \'00                \'00 date of application.
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par The household's first interview was         \'00     Household  \'00 Deny the application.
\par scheduled within 20 days of application.    \'00                \'00
\par The household missed this interview but     \'00                \'00 Reregister the applicant if the household 
\par requested another which was scheduled       \'00                \'00 completes all requirements.  Prorate benefits
\par between the 20th and 30th day.  The house-  \'00                \'00 to the date on which all requirements were
\par hold appeared for the interview but did not \'00                \'00 completed.
\par complete all requirements before the 30th   \'00                \'00
\par day.                                        \'00                \'00
\par\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00\'00
\par Page 2 of 2
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008530 - 8530                            \'00SUBJECT:  DETERMINING FAULT ON      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          DELAYED APPLICATIONS      }\'00
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008540 - 8540                            \'00SUBJECT:  APPLICATIONS PENDING      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          60 DAYS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par *8540{\ul Handling Applications Pending 60 Days or More}
\par
\par All applications which have been neither approved or denied before the 60th day of the application processing period must be evaluated on the 60th day.  The action to be taken depends upon whether the second delay in application was the fault of the county office or the household.
\par
\par A delay will be considered to the fault of the household if the household has failed to complete the application process even though the county office has taken all the actions it is required to take to assist the household.  If the household is at fault for not completing the application process by the end of the second 30 day period, the application will be denied and the household will be required to submit another application if it wishes to participate in the Program. 
\par
\par A delay will be considered the fault of the county office when the household has completed all required actions but the caseworker:
\par
\par 1)Did not schedule an appointment for an interview; or
\par 2)Scheduled the first appointment for an interview after the 50th day of the application processing period; or
\par 3)Did not provide the household with a statement of required verification (EMS-206); or
\par 4)Failed to assist the household in obtaining needed information; or
\par 5)Did not complete all the necessary paperwork.
\par
\par If the delay is the fault of the county office, corrective action must be taken before the application is denied.  See the chart below for the specific action.
\par
\par         {\ul REASON FOR DELAY                    COUNTY ACTION                     }
\par         No interview scheduled.           \'00 An interview will be scheduled.
\par                                           \'00
\par                                           \'00 If the household appears for the
\par                                           \'00 interview but does not furnish all
\par                                           \'00 needed information, the EMS-206
\par                                           \'00 will allow the household 10 days
\par                                           \'00 to furnish the information.  (The
\par                                           \'00 date will be specified on the 
\par                                           \'00 EMS-206.)  If the information is 
\par                                           \'00 not provided on or before this
\par                                           \'00 date, the application will be
\par                                           \'00 denied on the 11th day.             
\par                                           \'00
\par                                           \'00 If the household does not appear
\par                                           \'00 for the interview, the application
\par                                           \'00 will be held for 10 additional
\par                                           \'00 days (beginning with the day after
\par                                           \'00 the date of the scheduled interview)
\par                                           \'00 to see if the household requests a
\par                                           \'00 second interview.  If no request
\par                                           \'00 is made, the application will be
\par         {\ul                                   \'00 denied on the 11th day.           }
\par                                           \'00\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008540 - 8540                            \'00SUBJECT:  APPLICATIONS PENDING      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          60 DAYS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par{\ul REASON FOR DELAY                    COUNTY ACTION                    }                                          \'00
\par         Scheduled the first interview     \'00 If the household appears for the
\par         after the 50th day.               \'00 interview but must provide
\par                                           \'00 additional information, the
\par                                           \'00 application will be held for 10
\par                                           \'00 days (beginning with the day 
\par                                           \'00 after the request) to allow the
\par                                           \'00 household sufficient time to 
\par                                           \'00 provide the information.  The date
\par                                           \'00 will be specified on the EMS-206.
\par                                           \'00 If the information is not provided 
\par                                           \'00 by the 10th day, the application will
\par                                           \'00 be denied on the 11th day.
\par                                           \'00
\par                                           \'00 If the applicant does not appear
\par                                           \'00 for the interview and does not
\par                                           \'00 request a second appointment, the
\par                                           \'00 application will be denied on the
\par                                           \'00 11th day following the date of the
\par                                           \'00 scheduled interview.  If a second 
\par                                           \'00 appointment is requested, the     
\par                                           \'00 appointment will be scheduled on or
\par                                           \'00 before the 60th day of the application
\par         {\ul                                   \'00 period.                           }
\par                                           \'00
\par         No EMS-206 provided.              \'00 An EMS-206 will be provided.  The
\par                                           \'00 household will be given 10 days
\par                                           \'00 (beginning the day after the date
\par                                           \'00 of the notice) to provide the
\par                                           \'00 requested information.  If the
\par                                           \'00 information is not provided, the
\par                                           \'00 application will be denied on the
\par         {\ul                                   \'00 11th day.                         }
\par                                           \'00
\par         Failed to assist the household    \'00 The information will be obtained
\par         in obtaining needed information   \'00 and the application approved or
\par                                           \'00 denied within 10 days beginning
\par                                           \'00 with the date of discovery of the
\par         {\ul                                   \'00 failure.                          }
\par                                           \'00
\par         All information has been          \'00 The paperwork will be completed
\par         provided, the paperwork is not    \'00 and all documents keyed on the
\par         {\ul complete.                         \'00 60th day.                         }
\par
\par For applications approved on or after the 60th day, benefits will be provided back to the date of application.
\par
\par NOTE:In each instance below when an action date falls on a weekend or holiday, the action will actually be taken on the next work day; however, approval and denial dates will be the date on which the action should have occurred.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                              }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS       \'00
\par\'008600 - 8610                            \'00SUBJECT:  BUDGETING/PRORATED         \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          INITIAL ALLOTMENTS         }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8600{\ul Budgeting}
\par
\par Initial case actions are budgeted prospectively.  See FSC 7000, Prospective Eligibility, for instructions on budgeting and determining eligibility.
\par
\par 8610{\ul Prorated Initial Allotments}
\par
\par When a household files an initial application for food stamps, the household's food stamp allotment for the first month of the period of certification will be prorated.
\par
\par Proration of the food stamp allotment usually begins on the day the household filed its application; however, if the application is reinstated in the second 30 day period proration will begin on the day the household takes the steps necessary to complete its application (i.e., appears for interview or submits requested information).
\par
\par The amount of the prorated initial allotment will be determined by using the chart found in FSC 8612 or the following formula.
\par
\par{\ul Monthly allotment x 31 - date of application} = Prorated Allotment 30
\par
\par{\ul Rounding} -Prorated allotments ending in 1 through 99 cents will be  rounded down to the nearest dollar.
\par
\par Example 1 -A household applies for benefits on the 17th day of the month and is certified for a food stamp allotment of $55.00 per month.
\par
\par $55 x {\ul 31 - 17} = $25.66 rounded to $25.00
\par               30
\par
\par $25.00 is the prorated initial allotment.
\par
\par A household which applies on the 31st day of the month will be treated as if it had applied on the 30th day of the month when calculating the prorated allotment.
\par
\par Example 2 -A household applies for food stamps on the 31st of themonth and is certified for a food stamp allotment of $355 per month.
\par
\par $355 x {\ul 31 - 30} = $11.83 rounded to $11.00
\par                     30
\par
\par $11.00 is the prorated initial allotment.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                              }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS       \'00
\par\'008610 - 8611                            \'00SUBJECT:  PRORATED INITIAL ALLOTMENTS\'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00                                     }\'00
\par
\par
\par If the household's prorated initial food stamps allotment is less than $10.00, food stamps will not be issued.
\par
\par Example 3 -A household applies for food stamps on the 17th of the 
\par month and is certified for a food stamp allotment of $21.00 per month.
\par
\par $21 x {\ul 31 - 17} = $9.80 rounded to $9.00
\par                   30
\par
\par The household will not receive any food stamps for the month of application because the prorated initial allotment is less than $10.00.
\par
\par NOTE:The state of residence will have no bearing on the decision to prorate an initial allotment.  If a household lived in a state besides Arkansas but made application in Arkansas {\ul before} its case closed in the other state, the household's allotment for the first month of participation in Arkansas will not be prorated.
\par
\par 8611{\ul Proration for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Households}
\par
\par Migrant and seasonal farmworker households must receive a full allotment for the month of application {\ul when} the household has participated in the Food Stamp Program within 30 days prior to the date of application.  This means if a migrant or seasonal farmworker household makes application for food stamps, the caseworker must determine if the household has participated in the Food Stamp Program in any state within the 30 day period prior to the date of application.  If the household has participated within this period of time, its benefits for the month of application will not be prorated.  Proration will be prevented by changing the household's date of application to the last day of the previous month.  For example, if such an application is submitted on September 26th, the date of application will be changed to August 31st.
\par
\par When a migrant or a seasonal farmworker household states it has participated in the Program within the 30 day period prior to submitting a food stamp application in Arkansas, the household will be asked to submit some proof of participation such as an ID card or an approval notice.  However, if a household has no such proof, its statement as to the location and the date of its last participation will be accepted.  The household's statement regarding both the date and location of its last participation must be documented.
\par
\par NOTE:This provision does not entitle households to participate twice in the same month.  If a migrant or seasonal farmworker household has already participated in the Food Stamp Program in any state in the month of application, it may not participate again.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                              }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS       \'00
\par\'008612 - 8620                            \'00SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP PRORATION CHART/\'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          MINIMUM ALLOTMENTS         }\'00
\par                                             
\par                                             
\par 8612{\ul Food Stamp Proration Chart}   
\par                                             
\par To determine benefits for the initial month, locate the date of application in column I, then multiply the corresponding factor in Column II by the monthly food stamp allotment calculated.
\par                                             
\par{\ul                                                                                }
\par      Column I           Column II         \'00\'00     Column I           Column II
\par{\ul      Date of Appl.      Factor            \'00\'00     Date of Appl.      Factor     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         1               1.0000            \'00\'00      17                 .4667     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         2                .9667            \'00\'00      18                 .4334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         3                .9334            \'00\'00      19                 .4000     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         4                .9000            \'00\'00      20                 .3667     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         5                .8667            \'00\'00      21                 .3334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         6                .8334            \'00\'00      22                 .3000     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         7                .8000            \'00\'00      23                 .2667     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         8                .7667            \'00\'00      24                 .2334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul         9                .7334            \'00\'00      25                 .2000     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        10                .7000            \'00\'00      26                 .1667     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        11                .6667            \'00\'00      27                 .1334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        12                .6334            \'00\'00      28                 .1000     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        13                .6000            \'00\'00      29                 .0667     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        14                .5667            \'00\'00      30                 .0334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        15                .5334            \'00\'00      31                 .0334     }
\par                                           \'00\'00
\par{\ul        16                .5000            \'00\'00                                   }
\par                                              
\par 8620{\ul Minimum Food Stamp Allotments }
\par                                              
\par The minimum food stamp allotment is the smallest food stamp allotment which may be issued to an eligible household.  The minimum coupon allotment for each household size is listed on the "Exhibit A - Food Stamp Basis of Issuance Charts."  To determine the minimum food stamp allotment for one and two persons households, see FSC 8630 below.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008620 - 8641                            \'00SUBJECT:  MINIMUM FOOD STAMP        \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00ALLOTMENTS/RETROACTIVE BENEFITS     }\'00
\par
\par
\par To determine the minimum food stamp allotment for households with three or more members, see FSC 8640 below.
\par
\par NOTE:Minimum allotment requirements do not apply in the initial month of eligibility.  In the initial month of eligibility, prorated allotments of less than $10.00 are not issued.  Therefore, a one or two person household could have a {\ul calculated} monthly food stamp allotment of $8.00 and a date of application on the 1st of the month.  This household would not receive food stamps for the month of application. In the following month, the $8.00 allotment would be rounded to the $10.00 minimum allotment and issued to the household.
\par
\par 8630{\ul Minimum Food Stamp Allotment for One and Two Person Households}
\par
\par The minimum food stamp allotment for eligible one and two person households is $10.00.
\par
\par This provision applies to all classes of households (aged/disabled, categorically eligible and regular).  See the Glossary, Appendix A, for definitions of both Aged/Disabled and Categorically eligible households.
\par
\par A categorically eligible household with one or two persons will receive a minimum of $10, regardless of the household's net income.
\par
\par 8640{\ul Minimum Food Stamp Allotments for Households with Three or More Members}
\par
\par Categorically eligible households with three or more members will be entitled to benefits of at least $2.00 if the Thrifty Food plan reduced by 30% of the household's net income is at least $1.00.  The minimum allotment for all other households (regular households) with three or more members varies with the household size and depends on the point at which the household's net income exceeds the limit on the issuance charts.  The minimum coupon allotments may be found on the "Exhibit A."
\par
\par For example, as of October, 1991, the minimum food stamp allotment for an eligible regular household of five was $48.00, and the minimum food stamp allotment for an eligible regular household of six was $79.00 (See the current Exhibit A - for the current minimum food stamp allotment figures.)
\par
\par When the minimum coupon allotment is calculated as $1.00, $3.00, or $5.00, the allotment is automatically rounded to $2.00, $4.00, and $6.00 respectively to correspond with food stamp book denominations.
\par
\par 8641{\ul Coupon Allotments For Categorically Eligible Households}
\par
\par A categorically eligible household is eligible for food stamps, regardless of its net income.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008641 - 8650                            \'00SUBJECT:  MINIMUM FOOD STAMP        \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00ALLOTMENTS/RETROACTIVE BENEFITS     }\'00
\par
\par
\par Exception:Households with three or more members receive benefits only if the household benefit calculation is $1 or more.  If the household's allotment is less than $1, the case is treated as an otherwise eligible case.  These cases must be keyed onto the food stamp system in the same manner as cases which receive benefits are keyed.  Field 98 will contain a "O" for such households.
\par
\par Households with 1 or 2 persons who are categorically eligible will receive a minimum of $10, regardless of the benefit calculation.
\par
\par 8650{\ul Retroactive Benefits}
\par
\par Retroactive benefits are food stamps due the household for prior months following the approval of a pending application.  For example, if an application is submitted in June and approved in August, June and July food stamps would be considered retroactive benefits.
\par
\par Retroactive benefits will be issued only if the county was at fault for the delay in process- ing the application and the household is eligible for those months.
\par
\par Retroactive benefits are subject to proration.
\par
\par Example:A household applies on March 15 and its application is approved on April 10.  Retroactive benefits for March will be prorated to the date of application, March 15.
\par
\par When a household is entitled to retroactive benefits, the amount of retroactive benefits will be calculated, proration will be applied as necessary, and the retroactive benefits will be entered in the "RETRO" fields of the EMS-233, Food Stamp Authorization Document.
\par
\par If a household is found to be ineligible for the current month but eligible for a previous month or months in the application period, the household will be issued any retroactive benefits to which it is entitled.
\par
\par Example:A household applies for food stamps on March 15th.  On May 2nd, the caseworker determines:
\par
\par That the household is currently ineligible and that the county was at fault for the delay in processing its application.  The household was eligible for food stamps in March and April so the caseworker calculates the household's March and April food stamp allotments with March food stamps are prorated to the date of application, March 15.  These benefits are authorized as retroactive benefits.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008651 - 8700                            \'00SUBJECT:  AGGREGATE ALLOTMENTS      \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  8-1-93                          \'00          CERTIFICATION PERIODS     }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8651{\ul Aggregate Allotments}
\par
\par A household which files an {\ul initial} application after the 15th of the month and is approved by the end of the month of application will be issued an aggregate allotment.  An aggregate allotment is a combined allotment for the month of application and the following month.  (If the initial month's allotment is less than $10, only the household's allotment for the following month will be issued.  Prorated initial allotments of less than $10 are not issued.  See FSC 8610.)
\par
\par Example:A household submits an initial application on November 21st.  This application is approved on November 29th.  On November 30th the household will be mailed an aggregate allotment which will include the household's benefits for the months of November and December.
\par
\par Households that apply after the 15th of the month and are certified under expedited service provisions will be issued the prorated initial month's benefit and the second month's full benefit within the expedited timeframe.  This provision was effective on June 16, 1993.  Any household denied benefits on or after this date because this provision was not fully implemented is entitled to restored benefits.
\par
\par Aggregate allotments will be authorized via the RETRO fields of the EMS-233 and will be mailed in two envelopes on the same day.  See EMSUM 7300 for instructions on authorizing an aggregate allotment.
\par
\par Example:A household is authorized to receive an aggregate allotment for the months of November and December.  The November allotment will be mailed in one envelope and the December allotment will be mailed in another envelope.
\par
\par The automated approval notice code "30" has been revised to contain a statement advising households receiving aggregate allotments that coupons will be mailed in separate envelopes.  See EMSUM, APPENDIX H.
\par
\par 8700{\ul The Certification Period}
\par
\par The certification period is a designated period of time during which the household will be eligible to receive food stamps. Certification periods are based upon calendar months.  The month during which a household applies for food stamps is usually the first month in the certification period even if the application is not approved until a later month.
\par
\par A household may be determined eligible for the month during which the application was submitted but not receive any food stamps due to prora- tion. In these cases, the certification period will begin with the month of application even though the household will not actually receive any food stamps for that month.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008700 - 8710                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  6-1-96                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par Example:A household applies on May 20 and is approved on May 22.  The prorated allotment for May is $8.00; therefore, no food stamps will be issued to the household in May.  Regardless of this, the certification period May/July is assigned.
\par
\par When the household is ineligible for a month (or months) in the period of application, the certification period begins with the first month of eligibility.
\par
\par Example:A household applies for food stamps on July 7 and is found ineligible for July benefits but eligible for August.  The period of certification will begin in August.
\par
\par Eligibility for food stamps ceases at the end of each certification period.  All households must reapply for food stamps, be interviewed, verify certain information, and be found eligible to participate in the program before additional food stamps will be issued.
\par
\par Certification periods range in length from 1 month to 24 months and are assigned according to the current household situation.
\par
\par 8710{\ul Assigning Certification Periods}
\par
\par Households will be assigned certification periods as specified below.
\par
\par 1.Households where all members are included in a single AFDC case will be assigned a certification period of up to 12 months.  (This will also include households where the only members not included in the AFDC grant are SSI recipients.)  AFDC reevaluations are conducted every six months.  If the food stamp case is certified at the same time the AFDC case is reevaluated, two AFDC reevaluations should occur during the 12 month food stamp certification period.  The food stamp recertification should occur at the same time as the second AFDC reevaluation.
\par
\par For example, a PA household is recertified for food stamps at the time of the AFDC reevaluation in June 1994.  The household's food stamp recertification is set to expire in May 1995.  The first AFDC reevaluation should occur in December 1994 and the second AFDC reevaluation should occur in May 1995.
\par
\par See FSC 11600 for additional information.
\par
\par 2.Households consisting totally of aged/disabled members who have no earnings will be assigned certification periods up to 24 months.
\par
\par Households composed entirely of SSI recipients will be assigned a 12 certification period if one or more SSI recipients has earned income from a sheltered workshop.
\par
\par Households composed entirely of aged and/or disabled members and minor dependent children will be given up to a 12 month \page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008710 - 8720                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  6-1-96                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par certification period.  In most instances a 12 month certification period will be assigned.  However, if a change is expected, a shorter certification may be assigned.  For example, if a minor child will be turning 18, the certification period should expire in month of his or her birthday.
\par
\par
\par 3.Households subject to quarterly reporting will be assigned a 12 month certification period.  
\par
\par 4.Households which cannot reasonably predict what their circum-stances will be in the near future or those which are very likely to have significant changes in income or household status will not be subject to quarterly reporting.  {\ul Example} - A household which is living on the streets or in a homeless shelter of a household which cannot reasonably predict its future situation.  These households will be assigned a one or two month certification period.
\par
\par 5.Household certified under the expedited service provisions in which verification is pending will be assigned a one or two month certification period.  See FSC 9500.
\par
\par 8720{\ul Prioritizing Assignment of Certification Period}
\par
\par Assignment of certification periods will be prioritized according to the following guidelines.
\par
\par First, PA households in which all members are included in a single AFDC case will be assigned up to a 12 month certification period.  (This will also included households where the only members not included in the AFDC grant are SSI recipients.)  The certification period will be set to expire in the month in which the second AFDC reevaluation of the 12 month period is expected to occur.  All other PA households will be assigned up to a six month certification period.  The certification period should always expire in the month during which the casehead's AFDC reevalution is expected to occur.
\par
\par Second, households in which all members are either aged on disabled will be assigned a certification period of up to 24 months.
\par
\par Third, households certified under expedited service procedures with verification postponed will be certified for one or two months.
\par
\par Fourth, households subject to quarterly reporting will be assigned a 12 month certification period.  
\par
\par Other households will be assigned a one or two month certification until the household's situation stabilizes.  When this occurs, the household will become subject to quarterly reporting.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008720 - 8810                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  5-1-95                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8800{\ul Forms and Notices Supplied at Certification}
\par
\par Certain forms and notices are provided to all eligible households when an initial application is approved.  These are described in the sections of policy below.
\par
\par 8810{\ul Approval Notice}
\par
\par Each eligible household must be provided with an approval notice at initial application and recertification.  Approval notices will contain at least the following information:
\par
\par 1.The amount of the monthly food stamp allotment;
\par
\par-  CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE -\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008810 - 8820                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  5-1-95                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 2.The amount of the prorated initial allotment, if any, included in the first issuance of food stamps with an explanation that the first issuance contains food stamps for more than one month;
\par
\par 3.Variations in the food stamp allotment based on changes anticipated at certification;
\par
\par 4.The beginning and ending months in the certification period;
\par
\par 5.The household's rights to an administrative hearing; and
\par
\par 6.The telephone number, TDD #, or Ark Relay Service # of the county office.
\par
\par The food stamp automated system  automatically generates notices to all approved households except when:
\par
\par 1.Restored benefits are being authorized to households whose application is being approved;
\par
\par 2.A household is being certified under the expedited provisions of this policy and verification is waived under these provisions;
\par
\par 3.The household's certification period ends in the current month or the household is certified for retroactive benefits only;
\par
\par 4.A member of the household being certified has not verified his or her social security number; or
\par
\par 5.The automated notice is inappropriate because it does not provide the household with adequate information.
\par
\par A notice will be prepared manually in these situations using the DCO-1, Notice of Action.  All required information must be included.
\par
\par Example -The caseworker prepares a DCO-1 for a household because there is a member who has not verified his SSN.  The notice must contain all information generally required.  In addition, the notice must contain the name of the individual who must provide the SSN, the date by which the SSN must be provided, and the penalty for failure to provide the SSN in a timely manner.
\par
\par 8820{\ul Change Report Form/Households Not Subject to Quarterly Reporting}
\par
\par All households will be advised at the time of the application interview of their responsibility to report required changes.  If a Change Report form, DCO-234, and a business reply mail (BRM) envelope was not issued to the household during the application interview, one will be issued with a business reply mail envelope.  (The form is available in different formats such as large print.)
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008820 - 8821                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  5-1-95                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par When the DCO-234 is issued during the application process, whether during the interview or at approval, the household will be instructed in the use of the form.  The changes that the household is required to report are listed on the front of the DCO-234.  These will be reviewed with the household when the form is issued.
\par
\par The change reporting process is fully explained in FSC 11300-11350.
\par
\par 8821{\ul Quarterly Reporting Households}
\par
\par Households which will be subject to quarterly reporting will be trained at the time of the application interview.  During the training the caseworker will give a copy of the pamphlet entitled "Quarterly Reporting" to the household and will explain the contents of the pamphlet.  The caseworker will also give the household a copy of the specially annotated quarterly report and will show the household how to complete the form.
\par
\par Video tapes and audio tapes are also available for use in training households subject to quarterly reporting.  Tapes may be requested from the Food Stamp Section via memorandum.
\par
\par If for any reason the household is not trained at the time of the interview, the training material will be mailed to the household.  The household will be instructed to contact the county office if additional information is needed.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008830 - 8850                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  6-1-93                          \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8830{\ul Notice of Food Stamp Certification Expiration}
\par
\par Each household must receive a Notice of Food Stamp Expiration (DCO-239) before the first day of the last month of the household's certification period. DCO-239's are generated by the food stamp automated system around the third workday of the month for all households expiring the following month.  The date by which the household must reapply to insure
\par uninterrupted receipt of benefits and the date for the household's interview appear on the DCO-239.  For this reason it will be necessary to manually issue an DCO-239 at the time an initial application is approved if:
\par
\par 1.The household is being assigned a one or two month certification period; or
\par
\par 2.The household is being certified for three or more months but one or more months of the certification period is retroactive and the system has already generated DCO-239's for the month in which the certification period expires.
\par
\par See FSC 10210 for information on completing the DCO-239.
\par
\par 8840{\ul ID Card}
\par
\par Households will be issued an identification card (DCO-236) in the name of the head of the household when:
\par
\par 1.The household has never received an ID card;
\par
\par 2.The name and/or social security number of the head of household has changed;
\par
\par 3.The household has a new authorized representative;
\par
\par 4.The household's ID card needs to be replaced due to wear and tear; or
\par
\par 5.The household has lost or discarded its original ID card.
\par
\par The head of the household and, if applicable, the authorized representative must sign the card before it is used.  If the household has no authorized representative, notate "none" on the line provided for the authorized representative's signature.
\par
\par The ID card is to be presented to retail grocers when the eligible household purchases food with food coupons.  The household will be informed of this at the time the ID card is issued.  They will also be advised that ID cards will not be issued except as specified above.
\par
\par 8850{\ul ID Cards for Special Households}
\par
\par Any household eligible for and interested in using delivered meal services or communal dining facilities including restaurants authorized to accept food stamps from homeless households, will receive an ID card marked with the letters "CD".  Such facilities must be approved to accept food stamps.  See FSC 121.
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008900 - 8930                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8900{\ul Special Procedures at Initial Application}
\par
\par 8920{\ul Processing Joint SSI/Food Stamp Applications}
\par
\par Food stamp households composed only of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and/or recipients may apply for food stamps at Social Security Administration (SSA) offices.  SSA will accept the application
\par for food stamps, obtain verification, and forward the application with an approved transmittal and any other appropriate documents to the county office.
\par
\par The county office will then determine eligibility; and if the household is eligible, will determine the food stamp allotment.  The county office will notify the household whether it is eligible or ineligible.  If the household is found to be eligible, the notification will specify the amount of the food stamp allotment and the certification period.
\par
\par 8930{\ul SSA Responsibilities}
\par
\par 1.{\ul Advising} {\ul SSI} {\ul households} {\ul of} {\ul joint} {\ul SSI/Food} {\ul Stamp} {\ul Processing} -
\par
\par When a member of a household composed entirely of SSI recipients transacts business at a Social Security Office, the household will be advised that it has a right to apply for food stamps at the local Social Security Office or at the local office or at the DHS County Office.
\par
\par 2.{\ul Accepting} {\ul food} {\ul stamp} {\ul applications} -
\par
\par If the household chooses to submit its food stamp application at the Social Security Office, Social Security is required to accept the application.
\par
\par 3.{\ul Forwarding} {\ul food} {\ul stamp} {\ul applications} - 
\par
\par Food stamp applications accepted by SSA must be forwarded to the appropriate DHS County Office within one working day along with the transmittal and verification supplied by the household.
\par
\par 4.{\ul Referring} {\ul other} {\ul households} {\ul to} {\ul the} {\ul appropriate} {\ul EMS} {\ul county} {\ul office}-
\par
\par The SSA office will refer non-SSI households and households in which not all members are SSI recipients tot he appropriate DEMS office.  These households will be offered a blank food stamp application (EMS-220) to take with them.
\par
\par 5.{\ul Providing} {\ul other} {\ul information} -
\par
\par An informational pamphlet will be provided to households who have applied for food stamps through SSA.
\par
\par The pamphlet will inform the household of the address and telephone number of the appropriate DHS County Office, the remaining actions to be taken in the application process, and all information contained in the pamphlet "How to Apply For and Use Food Stamps".
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008930 - 8930                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 6.{\ul Screening} {\ul applications} {\ul for} {\ul expedited} {\ul services} -
\par
\par Social Security will screen all food stamp applications to determine if the household is entitled to expedited services.
\par
\par If the SSA worker determines that the household is entitled to expedited services, this will be indicated on page 1 of the food stamp application.  The SSA worker will advise the household that the time required to complete its application may be reduced if the household delivers its application to the local DHS County Office.
\par
\par 7.{\ul Completing} {\ul telephone} {\ul interviews} {\ul if} {\ul necessary} - 
\par
\par If SSA takes an SSI application by telephone from a member of a pure SSI household, a food stamp application will be completed at the same time, mailed to the household for signature, and returned to the SSA office.  The application will then be forwarded to the DHS County office.
\par
\par When SSI recipients' eligibility for SSI is redetermined by mail, SSA will enclose a notice with the SSI application.  The notice will advise the SSI household of its right to file an application for food stamps at the Social Security Office.  The notice will also advise the household of its right to an out-of-office interview to be performed by the local DHS County office if the household cannot go to the office or appoint an authorized representative.
\par
\par 8.{\ul Completing} {\ul Verification}
\par
\par Social Security is required to request the following verification:
\par
\par a. Gross income;
\par
\par b. Alien status;
\par
\par c. Utility expense if the expense is higher than the utility standard; and
\par
\par d. Information relating to citizenship, dependent care, household composition, or non-liquid resources if infor-mation about these items is inaccurate, incomplete, incon-sistent or outdated.
\par
\par If the applicant has verification of these at the time of the interview, SSA will provide copies of the verification to the local DHS County office.  (SSA may also indicate on the transmittal that verification is being retained in the SSA files.)
\par
\par If the applying household does not have the required verification at the time of the SSA interview, the SSA representative must advise the household of the verification needed and that the local DHS County office will contact the household to obtain this verification.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008940 - 8940                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 8940{\ul DEMS Responsibilities}
\par
\par 1.{\ul Register} {\ul food} {\ul stamp} {\ul applications} {\ul forwarded} {\ul by} {\ul the} {\ul Social} {\ul Security} {\ul office} -
\par
\par The date of application will be:
\par
\par a.For non-expedited applications, the date the application is received by SSA; or
\par
\par b.For expedited applications, the date the application is received in the correct county office.
\par
\par 2.{\ul Process} {\ul food} {\ul stamp} {\ul applications} {\ul forwarded} {\ul by} {\ul the} {\ul Social} {\ul Security} {\ul office} -
\par
\par See FSC 8500-8530 for processing time frames for initial applications.
\par
\par See FSC 9400-9800 for processing time frames and special procedures for expedited applications.
\par
\par 3.{\ul Obtain} {\ul all} {\ul needed} {\ul verification} -
\par
\par Social Security will attempt to obtain needed verification; however, DEMS {\ul must} obtain any verification not provided by SSA.
\par
\par All further contact with the household to obtain needed verification will be made by telephone, letter or scheduled home visit.  Another interview {\ul will} {\ul not} be scheduled to complete the verification requirements.
\par
\par 4.{\ul Work} {\ul register} {\ul household} {\ul members} {\ul as} {\ul necessary} -
\par
\par Work registration requirements will be waived on all household members applying for SSI until:
\par
\par a.They are determined eligible for SSI and become exempt on that basis; or
\par
\par b.They are determined ineligible for SSI.  When a member is determined ineligible, the normal work registration requirements will apply.
\par
\par See FSC 3000 for the work registration requirements.  If a household member is denied for SSI and continues to claim that he is not able to work, a doctor's statement will be requested unless the disability is obvious.  (When the disability is obvious, the nature of the disability and the anticipated length of the disability must be documented in the case record.)  The doctor's statement must support the member's contention that he is unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment and must state if, or when, he will be able to return to work.
\par
\par\page  {\ul                                                                             }
\par\'00FOOD STAMP CERTIFICATION MANUAL        \'00SECTION:  INITIAL CASE ACTIONS      \'00
\par\'008940 - 8945                            \'00SUBJECT:  ASSIGNING CERTIFICATION   \'00
\par\'00{\ul DATE:  10-1-92                         \'00          PERIODS                   }\'00
\par
\par
\par 5.{\ul Assign} {\ul the} {\ul proper} {\ul period} {\ul of} {\ul certification} -
\par
\par See FSC 8710-8720 for information about the proper period of certification.
\par
\par NOTE:Certification periods will be shortened if a household member's application for SSI is denied and the household's eligibility or food stamp allotment may be affected.
\par
\par See FSC 11320 for instructions on shortening periods of certification.
\par
\par 6.{\ul Develop} {\ul proper} {\ul controls} -
\par
\par Each county office must develop and implement controls to determine if members of households applying through SSA are already participating in the Food Stamp Program.
\par
\par 8945{\ul The Prerelease Program}
\par
\par Residents of public institutions who apply for SSI prior to their release from