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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTIONS 100 TO 900 300 County Office Worker Responsibilities Overview

300 County Office Worker Responsibilities

SNAP MANUAL 11/01/90

Overview The SNAP Certification Manual is provided as a general guide to the policies governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Because each case situation differs slightly, the county office worker is expected to use “good judgment” in applying these policies. While “good judgment” is impossible to define exactly, this section will provide some information about how this Agency expects a worker to meet his responsibilities in providing prompt, accurate services to all SNAP applicants and recipients on a non-discriminatory basis. Since most households applying for supplemental nutrition assistance have limited income and resources, the worker is expected to consider the effect of his decisions upon individual households. For example, a worker knows that a household is in dire circumstances but that household does not meet the criteria for expedited services. While SNAP 8501 states that household must be provided an opportunity to participate no later than 30 days following the date of application, a worker using “good judgment” would take all the actions required to certify that household as quickly as possible. This may mean making extra telephone calls to obtain required verification or prioritizing work to complete the required paperwork. The worker is also expected to make a conscious effort to base a decision upon his general knowledge as well as his knowledge of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. For example, a household reports that the economic head of the household has quit his most recent employment. SNAP 3600 calls for sanctions to be applied when the economic head of household quits a job without good cause. The worker has general knowledge that the job site at which the household member was employed is hazardous. The worker would base any decision about good cause on his general knowledge as well as the statements provided by the employer and the household. When the worker cannot reach a decision about a case action based upon the policy and his general knowledge, he will consult his supervisor. If the supervisor is not able to reach a decision based upon his general knowledge of the program, a policy interpretation will be sought through the county’s established chain of command.