Disqualification of an Authorized Representative

An authorized or emergency authorized representative (section 4.203.3, below) may be disqualified from representing a household in SNAP for up to one (1) year if the local office has obtained evidence that the representative has misrepresented a household's circumstances and has knowingly provided false information pertaining to the household or has made improper use of SNAP benefits. The local office shall send written notification to the affected household(s) and to the representative thirty (30) calendar days prior to the date of disqualification. The notification shall include the proposed action, the reason for the proposed action, the household's right to request a fair hearing, the telephone number of the office, and, if possible, the name of the person to contact for additional information. This provision is not applicable in the case of drug and alcohol treatment centers or to the heads of group living arrangements that act as authorized representatives for their residents. However, drug and alcohol treatment centers and the heads of group living arrangements that act as authorized representatives for their residents, and that intentionally misrepresent households' circumstances, may be prosecuted under applicable state fraud statutes for their acts.