When a household makes application for food stamps for the very first time, the case head must be established. After the case head is established, the case will be filed in the county's file under the name of the case head and all notices pertaining to the household's eligibility will be sent to the case head. In the FACTS system the households's case will be maintained under the social security number and name of the member designated as the case head.

The household, not the caseworker, normally designates the case head. It is not necessary that the case head be present for the interview. Any responsible household member may make application and appear for the interview, or the interview may be conducted with an authorized representative.

In no instance will an application be denied solely due to the lack of a responsible adult member to serve as the case head. If a responsible household member is not available to serve as the case head and the household cannot find a relative or friend to serve as an authorized representative, the caseworker will assist the household in completing the application and obtaining the necessary verification.

Except for ineligible students or members disqualified for intentional program violations (IPV) or for failure to provide an SSN. Only eligible household members will be permitted to serve as the case head. An Ineligible alien will be permitted to serve as the case head only if he or she is the only adult household member. When an ineligible household member is designated as the case head, the caseworker must insure the correct member status code is entered in the member segment field (field 7) of WFSM so that member's income will be handled correctly by the system.

The name of the case head will be entered on the Food Stamp

Authorization Document (EMS-233) in the field entitled "Casehead Name."

The social security number of the case head will be entered on the EMS-

233 in the field entitled "Case Number."

Until a change must be made because the case head is no longer in the home or until the household specifically requests a change, the case head will remain the same. This is true even when the household submits an application at a later date with another responsible household member listed on the front of the Food Stamp) Application (EMS-220) under "Name of Applicant." Instructions for changing the case head are found in EMSUM 20350.

Automatic recoupments of overissuances are tracked by the case head. See FSC 15700. Therefore, when an overissuance has occurred and the household's case has been referred to the Overpayments Unit for collection, the case head will not be changed unless the case head dies or actually leaves the home.

If the person who is designated as the case head leaves the household while the household is certified to receive food stamps, another responsible household member must sign the application form. See FSC

11435.