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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION FNS 425 EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCESSING

1 SecƟon 425 Change #1-2024 March 01, 2024 FNS 425 EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCESSING Change #01-2024 March 01, 2024

425.01 EXPEDITED SERVICE APPLICATION TIME FRAME If eligible for expedited service, the initial application or reapplication must be processed (approved) by the fourth (4th) calendar day from the date of the application so the household has access to a valid EBT card and their FNS benefits that provide them the opportunity to purchase food no later than the seventh calendar day following the date of application. This includes initial applications and reapplications. Both are treated the same throughout FNS policy, unless otherwise noted. A. Applications: A FNS household that has never received FNS in North Carolina before is referred to as an application. B. Reapplication: A FNS household that has previously received FNS in North Carolina and is applying for assistance again is referred to as a reapplication.

425.02 EXPEDITED SERVICE APPLICATION PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS To ensure households are provided with benefits in timely manner, the state requires FNS applications and reapplications to be approved no later than four (4) calendar days for households identified as expedited. This processing time must be met to allow the household to have a valid EBT card and access to FNS benefits that provide them the opportunity to purchase food no later than the seventh calendar day from the date of application.

A. It is recommended to process all expedited service applications the same day the interview is completed, but no later than the time frame listed above. B. The first calendar day is the day following the date of application as defined in FNS 410.03 Determining Date of Application. C. A household must be eligible for expedited service in the first eligible month of its certification period. This includes a month in which the benefits are prorated to zero. If a household is eligible for FNS benefits but not entitled to expedited service in the month it applies, certify the household using normal application processing found in FNS 420 Normal Application Processing . Example: The household applies for benefits on January the 10th and has income in January. The income terminates in January and the household