Limits may not be placed on the number of households that an AR may represent. However, county offices should be alert for situations where AR's have access to large amounts of food stamps. An example of this type of situation is a farmer who may employ and serve as an AR for migrant and seasonal farm workers. In such situations the county office should attempt to assure that:

1.The household has freely requested the assistance of the AR;

2.The household's circumstances are correctly represented;

3.The household is receiving the full amount of its food stamp allotment, and

4.The authorized representative is properly using the food stamps.

An assessment of the situation may be made by contacting the households involved, if possible. If it is not possible to contact the households, or if the households fear reprisal, the county office may attempt to contact collateral contacts who may have knowledge of the situation.

County Offices which suspect an AR is using a household's food stamps improperly will report the circumstances to the Central Office, Food Stamp Section, who will relay the report to FCS.

No formal control procedures are mandated for county offices. If a county office has historically had problems with AR abuse of the Food Stamp Program, or if a problem appears to be developing in this area, a control procedure may be advised by the EMS Supervisor.