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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL STUDENTS Section 102 Page 3

102.2 Exemptions from Student Policy (continued) iii. Verification of the inability to work due to physical or mental unfitness is provided. Verification is only required if the unfitness is not evident or is questionable. The following documents are acceptable as verification of an inability to work due to physical or mental unfitness: 1. 500 Medical Form; 2. Statement from a physician, physician's assistant, nurse, nurse practitioner, designated representative of the physician's office, a licensed or certified psychologist, a social worker, or other medical or mental health professional; 3. Letter from the school’s disability or accommodations office; and 4. Collateral contact, as a last resort (see SNAP Manual Section 408.102 for a definition of collateral contact). If the unfitness is not evident and other acceptable verification is unavailable, case managers must make every attempt to verify unfitness using a collateral contact. c. Each LDSS is asked to use plain language in materials and in interviews so applicants can provide the information necessary for the case manager to make the determination. For example, instead of asking if a student is “unfit,” the case manager could ask whether the student faces physical or mental barriers to working while attending school. The word “unfit” has negative connotations, so students may be hesitant to describe themselves as such. Plain language is particularly important to identify students with a non-evident disability or who meet the physical or mental unfitness exemption in a way that is not readily apparent to the case manager.

REVISED APRIL 2026