110.1 Residency

A household must live in Maryland to file an application

The State requires households to live in the project area in which they make application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with a few exceptions. These exceptions occur when a household has an open case in a program other than SNAP benefits in another jurisdiction.

An individual cannot participate as a member of more than one household or in more than one jurisdiction (certification office) in any month, except for residents of shelters for battered women and children. For more detailed information on residents of shelters for battered women and children, see Section 103 of this manual, Residents of Shelters.

110.2 Residency Requirements

When determining residency, the local department will:

Not interpret residency to mean domicile which is sometimes defined as a legal place of residence or principal home;

Not impose a durational residency requirement;

Not interpret residency to mean intent to permanently reside in the State or project area. However, do not consider persons in the project area solely for vacation purposes as residents.

Not require a fixed residence, e.g. migrant campsites satisfy the residency requirement for the period of time they are in the project area.

NOTE: If otherwise eligible, households that do not reside in a permanent dwelling or have a fixed mailing address must be certified.

110.3 Verification

The household may provide verification in the form of documentation such as a driver’s license, rent receipt, utility or other bill, voter registration card, or similar means.

This information may be further substantiated by cross-reference to an independent source such as a telephone or city directory, detailed area map, collateral contact, or, if necessary, a home visit.