Page 26

Title 7: SNAP Page 23 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter B: Application Processing Processing Standards Revised September 27, 2024 Delays in Processing Delays Caused by the County Office Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.2(h)(3) The delay is the fault of the county office if the required actions were not taken, such as:  Offering the household help in filling out the application.  Helping the household obtain verification, if the household requests help.  Allowing the household at least 10 days from the request to provide missing verification.  Rescheduling a requested second interview within 30 days following the application date if the household failed to appear for the interview. If the household is found eligible, issue benefits back to the date of application. If household is found ineligible, send a Notice of Decision even when a notice of pending status was sent. Delays Beyond 60 Days Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.2(h)(4), 441 IAC 65.6(2) and 65.5(3) When you cannot determine eligibility within 60 days, decide who caused the delay for each 30-day period.  If the household is at fault for the delays in both the first and second 30-day periods, deny the application. The household must file a new application if it wants SNAP. Do not send a Notice of Decision if the household was sent a notice of pending status.  If the local office is at fault for the delays in both the first and second 30-day periods and eligibility cannot be determined, send a Notice of Decision to deny the application, even when a notice of pending status was sent. Tell the household to file a new application. Also inform the household that it may be entitled to lost benefits back to the date of initial application.  If the local office is at fault for delays in both the first and second 30-day periods, and eligibility can be determined, process the application. If the household is eligible, approve benefits back to the date of application. Determine the household’s eligibility and benefits for the months following the 60-day period, until you reach a month of ineligibility or you cannot determine eligibility. Ask the household to file a new application when you reach a month for which you cannot determine eligibility or benefits.  If the household is at fault for the delay in the first 30 days, and the local office is at fault for the delay in the second 30 days, process the application. If the household is ineligible, deny the application and send a Notice of Decision, even if a notice of pending status was sent.