9078.1 Residents of Drug/Alcoholic Treatment and Rehabilitation Programs

Narcotics addicts or alcoholics who regularly participate in publicly operated or private non- profit drug or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation programs on a resident basis may voluntarily apply for the Food Stamp Program. Resident addicts and alcoholics and their children, will have their eligibility determined as one household. Certify residents of addict/alcoholic treatment centers by using the same provisions that apply to all other applicant households except that certification must be accomplished through an authorized representative who is employed by the program. Prior to certifying any residents, verify that the treatment center is authorized by FNS as a retailer if the center wishes to use food stamp benefits through a wholesaler, or, if it is not authorized by FNS as a retailer that it is under Part B of Title XIX of the Public Health Service Act (42 USC 300X et seg.) Each treatment and rehabilitation center must provide DSS with a list of current participating residents on a periodic basis. This list will include a statement signed by a responsible center official attesting to the validity of the list. The agency will conduct periodic random on-site visits to the center to assure the accuracy of the listings and that the agency's records are consistent and current. Prior to certifying any residents for food stamps, verify that the treatment center is authorized by FNS as a retailer or is funded under part B of Title XIX of the Public Health Service Act. The following provisions apply to residents of treatment centers: 1) When expedited processing standards are necessary per DSSM 9041, eligibility for the initial application will be processed on an expedited basis, and DSS will complete verification and documentation requirements prior to issuance of a second food stamp allotment. When normal processing standards apply, complete the verification and documentation requirements prior to making an eligibility determination for the initial application. 2) Changes and recertifications will be processed by using the same standards that apply to all other food stamp households. 3) Resident households will be afforded the same rights to notices of adverse action to fair hearings and to entitlement to lost benefits as are all other food stamp households. 4) The organization or institution may be penalized or disqualified if it is determined administratively or judicially that food stamp benefits were misappropriated or used for purchases that did not contribute to a certified household's meals. Promptly notify FNS when DSS has reason to believe that an organization or institution is misusing food stamp benefits in its possession. Take no action prior to FNS action against the organization or institution. Establish a claim for overissuances of food stamp benefits held on behalf of resident clients as stipulated in DSSM 7000 of this section if any overissuances are discovered during an investigation or hearing procedure for redemption violations. If FNS disqualifies an organization or institution as an authorized retail food store, suspend its authorized representative status for the same period. 9 DE Reg. 799 (11/01/05)