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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTIONS 100 TO 900 900 Authorized Representatives 930 Liability

representative. Once this has been established, the county office must determine whether this individual is needed to apply on behalf of the household or to use the SNAP benefits to purchase food for the household. For example, the household may be able to find someone else to make application for SNAP benefits but be unable to find anyone to purchase food regularly with the SNAP benefits. If the county office is unable to find someone to serve as an AR to purchase food with the SNAP benefits, the disqualified individual will be allowed to do so. A homeless meal provider may not be an AR for a homeless household. (A homeless meal provider is an establishment such as a soup kitchen or a temporary shelter that feeds homeless persons. A full definition of a Homeless Meal Provider may be found in the Glossary.) 930 Liability SNAP MANUAL 12/01/98 The county office worker will inform the household that all members will be held liable for any overpayments resulting from erroneous information given by the AR. EXCEPTION: A private non-profit organization, institution or group living arrangement that serves as an AR will be responsible for any misrepresentation or fraud knowingly committed as facility residents are certified to receive SNAP benefits. See SNAP 980 for details on centers as ARs. Since household is liable for the information provided by the AR, a household member should either complete the application or review the information on the application before the application is submitted. Since organizations or institutions serving as ARs are liable for erroneous information, the individual from the institution who will be interviewed will be advised to carefully review the application with the resident before it is submitted to the county office.

940 Records of ARs SNAP MANUAL 12/01/98 The county office will ensure that ARs are properly designated in the household’s case record. The SNAP Application (DCO-220) contains a section for the household to enter the AR’s name, address and telephone number. The household may also submit a signed, dated statement containing the AR’s name, address and telephone number which clearly states that the household wants this individual to serve as an AR.