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Each group living arrangement shall provide the DFR with a list of currently participating residents. This list shall include a statement signed by a responsible center official attesting to the validity of the list. The DFR shall require the list on a periodic basis.

Periodic random on-site visits to group living arrangements shall be conducted to ensure the accuracy of the listings of currently participating residents and that the DFR's records are consistent and up to date. These visits are to be conducted at least once every four months, but more often if discrepancies occur.

Appointments do not have to be made in advance of the DFR's visits. During these visits the reviewer may ask to see certain residents of these group living arrangements, but may not ask questions of, or require information from, the residents themselves if the application has been through an authorized representative. The results of these visits are to be kept on file in the DFR and are to be made available upon request for Central Office and/or FNS audits and reviews. Any discrepancies shall be immediately reported to the SNAP Policy Unit. 3210.15.30 RESIDENTS OF SHELTERS FOR BATTERED PERSONS (S)

A shelter for battered persons is defined as a public or private non-profit residential facility that serves battered persons. If such a facility serves other individuals, to be an eligible institution a portion of the facility must be set aside on a long-term basis to serve only battered persons. Shelters having FNS authorization to redeem SNAP benefits through wholesalers meet this definition. 3210.15.30.05

CERTIFICATION OF SHELTER RESIDENTS (S)

Residents of shelters for persons who wish to participate in the SNAP program are subject to the same policies and procedures that apply to other households, with certain exceptions. Shelter residents may apply on their own behalf; however, they are free to designate a shelter staff member or volunteer or some other individual as an authorized representative. The eligibility worker should consider the possibility that shelter residents could be in danger should they leave the shelter and waive the office interview on a case-by-case basis. Persons temporarily residing in a shelter for battered women and children are individual AGs for the purpose of applying for and participating in the program. 3210.15.30.10

RESIDENTS’ CERTIFICATION BASED ON CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES (S)

Shelter residents are certified based on their current circumstances in the shelter. Only the income, resources, and expenses of the current AG are counted in the eligibility determination while the income, resources, and expenses of their former living arrangement are not considered. Resources owned jointly by shelter residents and any individual in the former household are considered inaccessible to the resident if access to the value of the resource is dependent on the agreement of a joint owner who still resides in the former household.