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Title 7: SNAP Page 29 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter B: Application Processing Emergency Service Revised September 27, 2024 Emergency Service Processing Time Frames

1. The G household applies for SNAP on October 12. The household is eligible for emergency service. The G household must have its benefits and EBT card no later than the seventh calendar day, October 19. 2. Mr. C applies for SNAP on Monday, May 15. A phone interview is scheduled for May 16. Mr. C does not answer the phone for the interview. On Wednesday, May 17, Mr. C calls and asks to reschedule his interview. There is still time to issue emergency benefits. Mr. C is entitled to be offered an interview for Wednesday or Thursday. System entries must be made by Thursday, May 18. This will allow Mr. C to get benefits by Monday, May 22. 3. Mr. B applies for SNAP on Monday, May 15. An interview is scheduled for May 16, but Mr. B does not appear. On Monday, May 22 (day seven), Mr. B calls and asks to reschedule his interview. Mr. B has lost his right to emergency service. His application will be processed under the normal 30- day processing standards whether he appears for an interview before the 30th day or not. 4. Mr. D applies for SNAP on Monday, May 15, and an interview is scheduled for May 16. Mr. D does not appear for the interview. On Thursday, May 18, Mr. C contacts the office to reschedule. The local office offers to interview in person or by phone that same afternoon in order to meet emergency service time limits. Mr. D says he is not available until Tuesday, May 23. At this point, the local office has done everything possible to ensure timely processing. When Mr. D’s interview is conducted on May 23, he has forfeited his right to emergency service. His application will be processed under the normal 30-day time frames. 5. Ms. A files an application on Tuesday, May 9, listing $800 monthly income from work and $300 rent with no additional utility costs. The interview is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17. At the interview, Ms. A states that she has no income. The income she listed is her roommate’s, and she buys and prepares food separately. The worker issues emergency SNAP and documents in the case file that May 17 is the date of discovery and the first day of the emergency processing time. 6. The M household files an application on the third Thursday in November. The household is eligible for emergency service. Because the seventh day falls on Thanksgiving, the SNAP allotment must be received by the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.