9029 Household Cooperation [7 CFR 273.2(d)]

A. Households are required to cooperate in the application process in order to receive food benefits. The household or its authorized representative must complete the application, have an interview, and verify certain information on the application before DSS can determine eligibility. If the household refuses to cooperate in completing this process, DSS will deny the application at the time the household refuses to cooperate. B. DSS will not deny a case because a household merely failed to cooperate or was unable to cooperate. DSS must determine that the household refused to cooperate. Before DSS can make a determination of refused to cooperate, the household must: ·"be able to cooperate, ·"clearly demonstrate that it will not take actions that it can take, and ·"fail to take required actions to complete the application process. If there is any question as to whether the household merely failed to cooperate, as opposed to refused to cooperate, the DSS worker will not deny the household. The worker must provide assistance. C. DSS will determine the household ineligible if it refuses to cooperate in any subsequent review of its eligibility. A subsequent review of eligibility includes, but is not limited to: ·"reviews generated by reported changes, ·"applications for recertification, and ·"reviews of cases certified under disaster FSP procedures. After a DSS denial or termination for refusal to cooperate, the household may reapply and must cooperate before determined eligible. If there is any question as to whether the household has merely failed to cooperate, as opposed to refused to cooperate, the DSS worker will not deny the household. The worker must provide assistance. The household may voluntarily withdraw its application at any time before the determination of eligibility. D. If a household withdraws its application, the worker will: ·document the case record to include the reason for withdrawal. ·contact the household to confirm the withdrawal and document the case record. ·advise the household of its right to reapply at any time. E. DSS will not determine the household to be eligible when a person, organization or agency outside of the household fails to cooperate with a request for verification. The worker will document the case record. Non-household members, like roomers, live-in attendants or others sharing the residence, are not considered as living outside the household for the purposes of this policy. This means the failure of a non-household member to cooperate could cause the household to be ineligible. 12 DE Reg. 1225 (03/01/09)