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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 83 by an individual outside the household. The collateral contact may be made in person or over the telephone. ESA will document collateral contacts in the case record.  Expedited benefits cannot be delayed if assets, income and other facts needed to determine SNAP eligibility or benefit level cannot be verified within the time requirement. 7.2.5.1 Expedited Treatment of Assets ESA counts only liquid assets when determining if a household is eligible for expedited service. If a non-categorically eligible household is eligible for expedited service, ESA considers both liquid and nonliquid assets to determine whether the household is eligible for SNAP benefits. If ESA cannot verify the assets during the seven-day processing timeframe, verification can be postponed. Example Charles Davis applies for SNAP for himself and his 20-year-old sons, Marcus and Wynton. They are screened as eligible for expedited service based on their housing costs being greater than their income. Wynton is serving a 12-month disqualification for an IPV, which prevents the household from being categorically eligible for SNAP. In the interview, Charles indicated he has no liquid assets, but he has an older boat he estimates is worth about $2,000. Charles owes nothing on the boat but does not have proof of the boat’s value readily available. Even though the household must meet the asset test because it is not categorically eligible for SNAP, ESA can postpone proof of Mr. Davis’ assets and issue expedited benefits.

7.2.5.2 Expedited Treatment of Income ESA considers all income requirements, including deeming the income of ineligible household members, when determining benefits provided under expedited service. While past income may be used to estimate future income, ESA uses only the income it can reasonably expect the household to receive in that month to determine benefits under expedited service. Example Dave Smith applies for SNAP for himself; his wife, Sally; and their 9-year-old son. They are screened as eligible for expedited service. Dave was steadily employed for two years but was recently laid off. He is actively applying for jobs and hoping to find a new job soon. Sally is currently employed part time. During the interview, ESA needs to examine if Dave received any income during the month of application. If so, that income would be used to determine SNAP benefits for that month only and not included in the determination of future months’ SNAP benefits. Sally’s ongoing income would also be required to determine the household benefits under expedited service.

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