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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 29 − Apply for benefits at any time, including while a fair hearing request is pending or after a hearing decision has been made. − Request a face-to-face interview and be provided a face-to-face interview in lieu of a telephone interview. − Receive free language assistance or other aids and services to complete the application and interview if the applicant has limited English proficiency or a disability.  Receive a determination of eligibility within the following timelines from the date the application is filed if the applicant has completed the application, interview and verification requirements in a timely manner: − Seven days for expedited SNAP − Thirty days for SNAP 3.3 Assisting Customers If a customer cannot read or write and does not want to have another family member or acquaintance help them with the application process, ESA must assist the customer in completing the application if the customer requests assistance.  Note: ESA staff are not permitted to sign the application or act as the authorized representative for the customer they assist. If ESA assists the customer by entering the customer’s responses into the application, a staff member must do the following:  Read the contents of the application and each completed response aloud to the customer.  Review the information with the customer in the presence of a second ESA staff person, preferably a supervisor or center manager.  Perform these tasks in a location that ensures the confidentially and privacy of the customer and customer’s information on the application. 3.3.1 Applying for SNAP Through the SSA Office SSA informs SSI customers at an SSA office of their right to apply for SNAP benefits either at the SSA office without going to an ESA Service Center or at an ESA Service Center if they choose. If a member of a household consisting only of SSI customers or recipients chooses to apply for SNAP at the SSA office:  SSA will accept the application, help the customer complete the SNAP application and forward the signed application to the ESA SSI Processing Unit within one day.  ESA must make an eligibility decision and issue SNAP benefits to eligible SSI households within 30 days following the date SSA received a signed application. The expedited time standard begins on the date ESA receives a SNAP application.  ESA will not contact the household to obtain information for certification for SNAP benefits except in the following cases: Return