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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD/AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE Section 404 Page 4

JULY 2020

404.7 Disqualification of an Authorized Representative

A. Local departments may disqualify individuals from participation as an authorized representative for up to one year if they have obtained evidence that an authorized representative misrepresented a household’s circumstances or makes improper use of the Independence Card.

NOTE: The provision described in section 404.7A above does not apply in the case of drug and alcohol treatment centers and the heads of group homes that act as authorized representatives for their residents. However, local departments will promptly report to the Food and Nutrition Service any drug and alcohol treatment centers and heads of group homes that act as authorized representatives that intentionally misrepresent a household’s circumstances. Drug and alcohol treatment centers and the heads of group living arrangements acting as representatives who intentionally misrepresent household circumstances may be prosecuted under applicable Federal and State statutes.

B. If a local department obtains evidence that an authorized representative misrepresented a household’s circumstances or makes improper use of the Independence Card, the local department will:

1. Send written notification to the affected household and the authorized representative 30 days prior to the date of the disqualification.

2. Include in the notification the following information:

(a) The nature of the proposed action; (b) The reason for the proposed action; (c) The household’s right to request a fair hearing; (d) The telephone number of the local department; and (e) The name of the local department contact person.

C. A household may not designate an individual disqualified for fraud as an authorized representative during the period of the disqualification (see Section 404.6B).