Page 3

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

FNS 175 AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE

3 Section 175 Change #02-2021 June 1, 2021 B. The head of household's signature is not required on the DSS-1688 when: 1. The authorized representative is a person employed by and designated to act on behalf of residents of an ADTC or a group home. Document this designation on the application form. 2. The authorized representative has full Power of Attorney for the FNS unit. File a copy of the Power of Attorney document in the case file and document the application form. 3. The authorized representative has legal guardianship of a disabled person who is not capable of signing the DSS-1688. Use prudent judgment to determine if an authorized representative is appropriate. Document the case file and include legal guardianship documentation. 4. The head of household of a Simplified Reporting case is deceased and the remaining household members are minors. 5. Due to Simplified Reporting requirements, there may be other situations in which the HOH is not available to sign the DSS-1688. Use prudent judgment to determine if an authorized representative is appropriate. C. Do not complete the DSS-1688 for FNS unit members designated as authorized representative to use the benefits.

175.05 REMOVING AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE If you have evidence that an authorized representative provided false information, misrepresented the FNS unit’s circumstances, or improperly used FNS benefits, prohibit the authorized representative from serving as a representative for any household for one calendar year. A. Document the situation in the case file or on the application form. B. Notify the FNS unit and the authorized representative in writing 30 calendar days prior to the date of removal. Include the proposed action, the reason, the FNS unit’s right to a fair hearing, and the name and telephone number of the person to contact for additional information. NOTE: Representatives designated to act on behalf of residents of an ADTC or group home are exempt from this provision. 175.06 STATUS OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IF FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CASE CLOSES Evaluate the need of deactivating an authorized representative’s EBT card when a Food and Nutrition Services case terminates. NC FAST does not automatically deactivate the authorized representative. Use the evidence dashboard in NC FAST to reactivate an authorized representative when necessary.