410 APPLICATION PROCESS
410 APPLICATION PROCESS
In order for the Division of Public Assistance ( DPA ) to determine a household’s eligibility, the household must:
Submit an application that meets the identifiable application requirements in one of the following ways:
1. by mail; 2. in person;
3. online;
4. by fax;
5. by phone; or
6. by e-mail.
Participate in an interview with a DPA caseworker or DPA -contracted fee agent; and
Provide documentation and verification, including required forms, needed to determine program eligibility.
All households may file an application the same day they contact DPA to establish a protected filing date. DPA will help all households with the application and renewal process.
Fee agents help households who live in communities that do not have a local DPA office apply for public assistance. The fee agent can help the household apply online or use DPA applications and other forms provided by DPA . Households are not required to go to a fee agent and may apply directly through DPA .
The receipt of an identifiable application by DPA establishes the application filing date. An identifiable application must contain the applicant's name, address, and signature. The caseworker has 30 days following the application filing date to process the application. When the applicant asks to apply for another program prior to the eligibility decision, use the original filing date and benefit start date for all programs.
When an APA applicant ask apply for another program prior to a timely APA eligibility decision, use the original filing date and benefit start date for all programs. If the request occurs more than 30 days after an APA application was received, a new application is required for another program.
Note: Online applications include an electronic signature. Paper applications can be signed by e-signature, digital signature, or a handwritten signature created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen) starting October 1, 2024. Telephonic signatures must be recorded by a caseworker through the VCC .
When households apply for multiple programs, DPA must make an APA determination based on the information in the application. DPA must not delay the APA determination if more information is needed for other programs.