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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 87 it will provide the household retroactive benefits from the month of application. ESA always provides lost benefits to the household that result from a Department-caused delay. If ESA denies the application based on circumstances that changed since the original application date, ESA must inform the household that it may be eligible for benefits lost from ESA-caused delay. If ESA is at fault for not completing the application process by the end of the second 30-day period (60 days or more), but the case file is not complete enough to reach an eligibility determination, ESA may continue to process the original application or deny the case and notify the household to file a new application. If the case is denied, the household should also be advised of its possible entitlement to benefits lost as a result of ESA-caused delay. If ESA were also at fault for the delay in the initial 30 days, the amount of benefits lost would be calculated from the month of application. However, if the household were at fault for the initial delay, the amount of benefits lost would be calculated from the month following the month of application. Retroactive SNAP and cash assistance program benefits can only be provided up to 12 months prior to the month when ESA discovers a loss of benefits a household was entitled to, had ESA processed the application timely. Example The Smith family submitted a combined application on February 4, 2021; however, ESA did not discover the application until April 15, 2022. On May 1, 2022, ESA finishes reviewing the original application and determines the Smith family is eligible for SNAP and TANF. The Smith family is eligible for benefits retroactive to April 15, 2021.

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