Local department employees involved in the certification or issuance processes and retailers authorized to accept the Independence Card cannot act as an authorized representative unless the local department determines that no other representative is available.

Individuals who are disqualified for an intentional program violation cannot act as an authorized representative during the period of the disqualification unless the following conditions are met:

The individual is the only adult member of the household able to act on its behalf, and

The local department determines that no one else is available to serve as an authorized representative.

Homeless meal providers may not act as authorized representatives for homeless SNAP recipients.

404.7 Disqualification of an Authorized Representative

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.

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: