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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 8 application, such as termination of benefits, overissuances, fines, imprisonment or disqualification from future benefits.  Cooperate as follows: − With ESA in determining and recertifying eligibility and benefits − With ESA and federal staff conducting QC reviews or audits of SNAP programs; households that refuse to cooperate may lose all or part of their SNAP benefits  Not engage in SNAP trafficking, including trading or selling SNAP benefits or EBT cards.  Not use SNAP benefits to buy items not allowed, such as alcohol, drugs and firearms, or pay off credit accounts.  Not allow a person who is not approved as an authorized representative to use the customer’s EBT personal identification number (PIN).  Not use someone else’s EBT card without being designated as an authorized representative on their case.  Not alter, sell, trade or transfer any ESA benefits or privileges, including EBT cards or other documents or cards that remain ESA’s property. Legal Authority Responsibilities of applicants and recipients (federal): SNAP: 7 USC § 2011, et seq.; 7 CFR § 271.1, et seq.

1.5.3 Authorized Representative Responsibilities Authorized representatives are subject to the same requirements and responsibilities as the SNAP household they are designated to represent. See Section 3.1.1.2, SNAP Authorized Representative, for more information on authorized representatives. 1.5.4 Department Rights ESA must ensure that customer rights and responsibilities are respected and enforced. Additional Department rights and responsibilities are detailed in the federal and local legislation governing ESA- administered programs and in the policies in this manual. ESA has the right to use and assign volunteers, community workers or contractors to assist in administering ESA programs. However, only ESA staff employed in accordance with the current standards for a merit system of personnel administration can conduct interviews and determine eligibility for ESA programs. ESA has the right to recover SNAP benefits provided in error, even if ESA was responsible for the overpayment. Return