030 Introduction

This chapter contains the SNAP policy and certification procedures for special situation households. Special certification procedures are prescribed when a household’s receipt of income or other circumstances are substantially different from the typical SNAP household. These procedural deviations are intended to minimize any undue advantage or disadvantage to a household as a result of their unusual circumstances. Some examples of these procedural deviations are as follows:

(A) Averaging the income for certain self-employed individuals and seasonal employees instead of considering only that part of their income expected to be received during the certification period. Likewise, certain student income is averaged over the period it is intended to cover;

(B) Allowing self-employed and student households deductions for certain expenses paid prior to the certification period in addition to those expenses paid during the certification period;

(C) Requiring residents of drug or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation centers to apply for and use SNAP benefits through an authorized representative;

(D) Requiring households eligible for expedited service to provide verification of identity but also allowing for immediate certification and issuance for these households; and

(E) Certifying households even if they include ineligible individuals, whether the ineligible individual is a non-household member or a disqualified non-household member. The case manager must evaluate the income and resources available to these households differently depending on whether the ineligible individual is a non-disqualified non-household member or a disqualified non-household member.