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

If a Department of Human Services (DHS) county office is working to divert a household from the receipt of TEA cash assistance, the eligibility worker must make clear to the household that the application requirements for cash assistance do not apply to the receipt of SNAP benefits. If a SNAP application has been submitted, the household will be encouraged to carry through with this application. The eligibility worker must also advise the applicant that households may continue to receive SNAP benefits, even if the TEA cash assistance case is closed because the case head began working or because the household has reached its time limits. When the SNAP part of a joint application is denied under SNAP rules and the TEA application is subsequently approved, the household becomes categorically eligible. In that case, the household’s SNAP application may be reinstated. See SNAP 8962.

8971 Scheduling Joint SNAP and TEA Interviews SNAP Manual 01/01/2021 When a household makes a joint application or submits two (2) applications at the same time, one (1) for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and one (1) for Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) cash assistance, the agency will conduct a joint interview. If a joint interview is not conducted, the household should not be required to return on another day or at another time to be interviewed for SNAP benefits. Unless the household requests the delay in interview, the SNAP interview is not to be held on a day later than the TEA interview.

8972 Processing Joint SNAP and TEA Applications SNAP Manual 01/01/2021 Once the interview has been conducted, the county may opt to have one (1) worker determine eligibility for all programs, or to have different workers determine eligibility for each program. If different workers are used to determine eligibility for different programs, the county office must develop a plan to ensure that workers work as a team so that the household is not asked to provide duplicate verification.

8980 Processing Applications When Child Abuse Has Occurred SNAP Manual 05/01/2022 When a report of child abuse is substantiated, the Division of Children and Family Services (DCFS) must take immediate action to protect the child. When sexual abuse or life-threatening