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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 8000 8900 Special Procedures at Initial Application 8000 Initial Application Process

An informational pamphlet will be provided to households who have applied for SNAP benefits through SSA. The pamphlet will inform the household of the address and telephone number of the DHS county office and the remaining actions to be taken in the application process. 6. Screening Applications for Expedited Services and Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) The SSA will screen all applications for SNAP benefits to determine if the household is entitled to expedited services. If the household is entitled to expedited services, SSA will indicate that on page one (1) of the SNAP application. The SSA worker will advise the household that the time required to complete its application may be reduced if the household delivers the application to the local DHS county office. If the household submits the application to the local DHS County Office, the application will be screened to determine if the household is eligible for ESAP. 7. Completing Telephone Interviews if Necessary If the SSA takes an SSI application by phone, a SNAP application will be completed at the same time, mailed to the household for signature, and returned to the SSA office. The application will then be forwarded to the DHS county office. When an SSI recipient’s eligibility for SSI is redetermined by mail, the SSA will enclose a notice with the SSI application. The notice will advise the SSI household of the right to file an application for SNAP benefits at the SSA. The notice will also advise the household that out-of-office interviews are available if the household cannot go to the office or appoint an authorized representative. 8. Completing Verification SSA must request the following verification: • Gross income • Alien status • Utility expenses to determine which utility allowance will be applied. • Information relating to dependent care, household composition, or non-liquid resources if information about these items is inaccurate, incomplete, inconsistent, or outdated. If the applicant has verification of these items at the time of the interview, SSA will provide copies of the verification to the local DHS county office. SSA may also indicate on the transmittal that verification is being retained in the SSA files. If the applying household does not have the required verification at the time of the SSA interview, the SSA representative must advise the household of the verification needed. The local DHS county office must contact the household to obtain this verification.