Page 3

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION FNS 425 EXPEDITED SERVICE PROCESSING

3 SecƟon 425 Change #1-2024 March 01, 2024 EXAMPLE 2: A household applies for FNS benefits on January 20. The household received FNS benefits in another state for the month of January; therefore, they are ineligible for FNS benefits in North Carolina until February. The prescreening process determines that the household is entitled to expedited service for the following month. The application is taken and processed January 25, which is within seven days. The FNS benefits will be available for the month of February. 425.03 CHANGES IN EXPEDITED STATUS The agency is not required to re-screen pending applications every time a change is reported. However, if the agency discovers that a household is entitled to expedited service as the result of a change, the agency must: A. Provide expedited service to the household within the expedited processing standards. B. Calculate four (4) calendar days for the households identified as expedited processing standard beginning the day after the agency discovers the household is entitled to expedited service. 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 the agency discovers the household is entitled to expedited service. C. If a household loses its entitlement to expedited service between the date of application and the date of processing, the agency must process the case using normal application processing procedures. 425.04 EXPEDITED SERVICE BENEFITS ISSUANCE A. NC FAST determines eligibility for expedited benefits and issues benefits based on policy rules and information entered into the system. B. Households that apply between the 1st and 15th of the month will receive FNS benefits with expedited service, if otherwise eligible, for the month of application. C. Households that apply after the 15th of the month, if determined eligible, will receive a combined allotment of FNS benefits with expedited service for the month of application and the following month.

425.05 PROCESSING PROCEDURES FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE CASES