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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Manual CUSTOMER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Section 403 Page 8

REVISED OCTOBER 2024 403.10 Responsibility of the Household to Cooperate A. The household is responsible for cooperating with the local department to determine eligibility, review its eligibility due to reported changes or recertification, and during Quality Control (QC) reviews. B. The household may be denied, or its case may be closed for refusal to cooperate with SNAP requirements. C. For the local department to make a determination of refusal to cooperate, the household must be able to cooperate, but clearly demonstrate that it will not take the required action. For example, a household must refuse to be interviewed and not merely fail to appear for an interview and provide the requested verification. D. Effective October 1, 2011, the penalty period for refusal to cooperate with a state QC review is 125 days after the end of the Federal Fiscal Year (the FFY ends September 30 each year and 125 days from that date is February 2). E. For Federal QC review non-cooperation, the penalty period is 9 months after the end of the Federal Fiscal Year. F. In the event that one or more household members no longer resides with a household terminated for refusal to cooperate, the penalty for refusal to cooperate will attach to the household of the person(s) who refused to cooperate. G. When QC is unable to determine which household member(s) refused to cooperate, QC shall determine the household member to which the penalty shall apply. H. If a household is terminated for refusal to cooperate with a QC review, the household may reapply but cannot be determined eligible until it cooperates with the QC review. I. A household cannot be denied SNAP benefits if there is any doubt regarding whether the household refuses to cooperate. J. QC determines whether the individual refuses to cooperate.