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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTIONS 100 TO 900 900 Authorized Representatives 950 Controls on ARs

If the AR has completed and signed an application and the validity of the application is questioned, the county office worker will obtain a note signed by the case head spouse or other responsible household members indicating that the household wants this individual to serve as an AR. If the case head spouse or other responsible household member is unable to complete and/or sign the note, the worker will attempt to contact the household by telephone to confirm the AR. If telephone contact cannot be made, an interview with the AR in the household’s home may be considered.

950 Controls on ARs SNAP MANUAL 12/01/98 Limits may not be placed on the number of households that an AR may represent. However, county offices should be alert for situations where ARs have access to large amounts of SNAP benefits. For example, when a farmer employs migrant and seasonal farm workers and serves as their AR, the situation may be questionable. 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 all of SNAP benefits authorized; and 4. The authorized representative is properly using the benefits. An assessment of the situation may be made by contacting the households involved. If it is not possible to contact these households or if the households fear reprisal, the county office will contact collateral contacts with knowledge of the situation. If a DHS county office worker suspects an AR is using a household’s SNAP benefits improperly, he or she will report the circumstances to the Central Office, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Section, who will relay the report to Food and Nutrition Services. No formal control procedures are mandated for county offices. If a county office has historically had problems with AR abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or if a problem appears to be developing in this area, a control procedure may be advised by the DCO County Administrator.