Connecticut Department of Social Services Uniform Policy Manual: 1525.15 Authorized Representatives - Responsibilities

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES PRIVATE UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 04-01-03 Transmittal: UP-03-03 1525.15 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: AFDC Authorized Representatives AABD ______________________________________________________________ FS Subject: MA Responsibilities ______________________________________________________________________________

1525.15 A. Role of the Authorized Representative

1. AFDC, AABD, MA

a. In the AFDC, AABD and MA programs, the authorized representative's primary role is to allow the applicant to file an application without delay in an emergency when no other person is able to do so.

b. The authorized representative may:

(1) file the application; and

(2) represent the assistance unit at an interview if one is conducted at the time the assistance request is filed.

2. FS

a. The role of the authorized representative in the Food Stamp program may involve the following duties:

(1) filing the application and preparing other application and work registration materials;

(2) representing the assistance unit at interviews and other contacts with the Department, including interim contacts and redeterminations;

(3) using an EBT debit card to purchase eligible food items; and

(4) signing agency documents on behalf of the assistance unit.

b. Eligible food items may be purchased as long as the representative is in possession of an EBT debit card issued in the name of the authorized representative.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 11-22-06 Transmittal: UP-07-14 1525.15 page 2 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: FS Authorized Representatives ______________________________________________________________ Subject: Responsibilities ______________________________________________________________________________

1525.15 B. Emergency Authorized Representative (FS)

1. In an emergency, if neither the person in whose name the EBT card has been issued nor the authorized representative is able to do the shopping, an emergency authorized representative may be designated to do the shopping.

For the purposes of this section, the emergency authorized representative shall be:

a. a responsible assistance unit member of any age designated orally or in writing by the head of the assistance unit and whose name appears on the specially issued debit card; or

b. a responsible adult designated in writing by the head of the assistance unit and whose name appears on the specially issued debit card.

3. An emergency EBT card is issued for and mailed to that authorized representative.

C. Institutions as Authorized Representatives

1. All Programs

a. Residents of institutions may apply for assistance and be certified on their own behalf, or through the use of an authorized representative who may be an individual of the applicant's choice or an employee designated by the institution for this purpose. In the Food Stamp program, for residents of drug and alcohol treatment centers, the authorized representative must be an employee designated by the institution.

b. In order for the institution to represent an applicant, the individual must be a current resident of the institution.

c. In cases of incompetence or incapacity, the institution may act responsibly on behalf of the resident without prior authorization. (Cross Reference 1505)

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES UNIFORM POLICY MANUAL ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: 02-01-97 Transmittal: UP-03-03 1525.15 page 3 ______________________________________________________________________________ Section: Type: Eligibility Process POLICY ______________________________________________________________________________ Chapter: Program: FS Authorized Representatives ______________________________________________________________ Subject: Responsibilities ______________________________________________________________________________

1525.15 C. 2. Specific Food Stamp Provisions

a. Residents of drug or alcoholic treatment centers shall apply and be certified for program participation through the use of an authorized representative who shall be an employee of the institution designated by the institution for this purpose.

Blind or disabled residents of group living arrangements are permitted the option of applying on their own behalf or through the use of an authorized representative of the applicant's choice.

c. Institutions that act in the capacity of authorized representative on behalf of a resident, are responsible for reporting relevant changes in circumstances which affect eligibility or benefit level.

d. The above provision does not relieve the assistance unit of the responsibility of reporting relevant changes which are not known to the institution.

e. Institutions acting in the capacity of authorized representative are liable for any overpayments, losses or misuse of food stamp benefits incurred on behalf of the residents.