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MS 2660

[2]

and the benefits for the second month have been issued but not used, the household receives the full allotment for the second month.

If the participant leaves the treatment center without notifying the center and the center is unable to locate the participant, the EBT card is returned to the local office in accordance with Item E of this section.

3. After the participant leaves the treatment center, the center can no longer act as the participant's representative.

4. If possible, the treatment center provides the participant with a change report form. The participant uses the form to report their new address and other circumstances after leaving the center. The center advises the participant to return the form to the appropriate SNAP benefits office in accordance with the participant’s reporting requirements. If the center reports that a participant has left the center, but the participant does not provide a new address, remove the verification source for household composition to allow the case to pend, and correctly discontinue if verification is not returned timely. Comments must address the reason a Request For Information (RFI) was issued.

D. Reporting Changes. The treatment center notifies the local office of changes in accordance with change reporting requirements.

E. Returning Benefits. After returning any applicable benefits the individual may be entitled to, the treatment center returns the participant's EBT card to the address on the back of the card or to the local office if it is received after the participant has left the center. The EBT card is logged in the system and immediately destroyed. The case remains active, and the participant has to request a new EBT card.

F. Center Liability. As a representative, the organization must be knowledgeable about resident circumstances and review those circumstances with residents prior to applying on their behalf. The organization is liable for all losses or misuse of SNAP benefits held on behalf of residents and for all over- issuances which occur while the participants are residents of the treatment center.

G. Center Penalties And Disqualifications. The organization authorized by the Federal Nutrition Administration (FNA) as a retail food store can be penalized or disqualified if it is determined administratively or judicially that benefits are misappropriated or used for purchases that did not contribute to a certified participant's meals. The office promptly notifies the Nutrition Assistance Branch (NAB) by memorandum through the appropriate chain of command when it has reason to believe that an organization is misusing benefits. NAB notifies FNA upon receipt of the memorandum from the local office. NAB takes no action against the organization or institution prior to FNA action. H. Claims for Over-issuance. The treatment center is liable for repayment of SNAP benefits for the misuse of SNAP and/or the misrepresentation of information on behalf of a center resident. The resident is responsible if the