Page 41

SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTIONS 100 TO 900 900 Authorized Representatives 981 Alcoholic and/or Drug Addiction Treatment Centers

981 Alcoholic and/or Drug Addiction Treatment Centers SNAP MANUAL 01/01/07 A treatment center is any such residential program conducted by a private non-profit organization or institution or a publicly operated community mental health center (under Part B of title XIX of the Public Service Act) to provide treatment that can lead to the rehabilitation of drug addicts or alcoholics. In order for the residents of a drug addiction and/or alcoholism treatment center to be certified to receive SNAP benefits, the center must provide evidence that it is tax exempt and certified by the State agency responsible for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts or alcoholics as: • Receiving funding under part B of title XIX, or • Eligible to receive funding under part B or title XIX if no funds are being received: or • Operating to further the purposes of part B or title XIX to provide treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts and/or alcoholics. Even if the treatment center does not meet one of these criteria but has been authorized by FNS as a retailer (can use the SNAP benefits to purchase food for residents), the residents may receive SNAP benefits. Residents of alcoholic and/or drug addiction treatment centers must apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through an authorized representative (AR) who is an employee of the treatment center. In order to avoid duplicate entries on the ANSWER System, the AR will not be classified as an alternate payee. The treatment center will maintain control of the resident’s electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card and personal identification number (PIN) as long as the customer continues to reside at the center. When a county office receives an inquiry from an alcoholic and/or drug addiction treatment center about participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the center should be provided with a copy of the pamphlet on DHS SHARE entitled ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTERS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM PARTICIPATION. The DHS county office must verify that the treatment center meets one of the requirements shown in this section of policy (certified as a treatment center by the State or authorized by FNS to accept SNAP benefits) before any of the residents of the treatment center are certified to receive SNAP benefits.