Delays in Processing Beyond Thirty (30) Days

If the local office does not determine a household's eligibility and provide an opportunity to participate within thirty (30) calendar days following the date the application was filed, the office shall determine whether the delay was caused by failure to act on the part of the household or on the part of the local office. The following shall be used to determine causes of delay beyond thirty (30) calendar days in the application process: A. If a household has failed to complete a SNAP application form even though the local office offered to assist the client in its completion, the household shall be at fault. If the local office failed to assist the household, the local office is at fault. If the local office offered the household assistance in completing the application but the household failed to cooperate or failed to complete the application process, the local office shall document in the case record its attempt to assist the household. B. If a nonexempt household member failed to register for work even though the local office informed the household of the work requirements, the household shall be at fault unless paragraph D of this section applies. If the local office did not give the client at least ten (10) calendar days to supply information, the local office is at fault. C. If requested verification is missing even though the local office offered assistance and a written notice of needed verification was provided and the household was allowed ten (10) calendar days to supply necessary verification, the household shall be considered at fault unless paragraph D of this section applies. If the local office did not request necessary verification through a written notice, or assist the client as required by these regulations, or give the client time to provide information, then the local office is at fault. D. If the household failed to appear for the first (1st) interview, failed to schedule a second (2nd) interview and/or requested to postpone the interview until after the thirtieth (30th) day following the date of application, the delay shall be the household's fault. E. If the household missed both scheduled interviews and requests another interview, the delay shall be the fault of the household. F. If the local office failed to notify the household to schedule a second interview or failed to schedule a second interview within the thirty (30) calendar days following the date the application was filed or failed to request verification or other necessary action at the interview, the local office is at fault.