The normal processing standard for initial food stamp applications is 30 days. Eligible households which complete the initial application process must be given an opportunity to participate in the Food Stamp Program as soon as possible. but not later than 30 calendar days following the date the application was filed.

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.

As per FSC 8503, households 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If an applicant whose application has been denied 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:

*Locate the denied application;

*Reregister the denied application using the date on which all needed information was supplied as the date of application; and

*Dispose of the application.

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.

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.