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State employees and SNAP retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits cannot act as authorized representatives. 3605.05.10 RESTRICTIONS ON REPRESENTATIVES (S)

The following restrictions apply to authorized representatives: • State employees, contract employees, and SNAP retailers authorized to accept SNAP benefits cannot act as authorized representatives. • Individuals disqualified for fraud cannot act as authorized representatives during the period of disqualification, unless the disqualified individual is the only adult member of the AG able to act on the AG’s behalf; and • Providers of meals for the homeless may not act as authorized representatives for homeless individuals. 3605.05.15 DOCUMENTATION AND CONTROL OF REPRESENTATIVES (S)

There is no limit placed on the number of individuals a representative may represent. When employers such as those employing migrant/seasonal farm workers are named as representatives, or when a single representative has access to a large number of EBT cards or SNAP benefits, caution should be exercised to ensure the following: • that the payee or another responsible AG member freely requested the representative • that the individual’s situation is correctly represented • that the representative is receiving the correct amount of benefits; and • that the representative is using the SNAP benefits properly. 3605.15.05 EVIDENCE OF MISREPRESENTATION (S)

When evidence is obtained that an authorized representative has misrepresented an individual’s circumstances and has knowingly provided false information or has improperly used SNAP benefits, the representative may be disqualified from participating as an authorized representative. This disqualification may be for a period of up to one year.

A written notice must be sent to the affected AG and the authorized representative 30 days prior to the date of disqualification. This notification will include: • the proposed action • the reason for the action • the AG’s right to request a fair hearing • the telephone number of the Local Office • the name of the caseworker to contact for more information

Disqualification of representatives does not apply in the case of drug/alcohol treatment centers and those group facilities which act as authorized representatives for their residents. In these instances, the facility is liable for any over issuance which may occur.