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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION APPLICATIONS FNS 435 DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

6 FNS 435 Change #XX-2021 November 15, 2021 435.05 DELAY IN REQUESTING VERIFICATIONS A. If the DSS-8650’s 10 calendar days extends beyond the 30th day from the date of applications. 1. The following actions must be taken on the 30th day if processing delay is caused by the agency: a. Pend the application, do not deny on the 30th day. Allow the household 10 days from the DSS-8650 to provide the required (FNS 435.01 B) and mandatory (FNS 435.01 A) verification, regardless of whether the 10 days extend beyond the 30-day application processing standard. b. If missing required (FNS 435.01 B) and mandatory (FNS 435.01 A) verification is not provided, deny the application for failure to provide on the expiration of the DSS-8650. This is an overdue application. c. Upon receipt of the required (FNS 435.01 B) and mandatory (FNS 435.01 A) missing verification, determine eligibility within five calendar days, approve or deny benefits from the date of application. 2. The following actions must be taken on the 30th day if processing delay is caused by the household or household with a good cause reason: a. Processing delay is caused by the household: i. Deny the application on the 30th day if the required (FNS 435.01 B) and mandatory (FNS 435.01 A) missing verification is not provided from the DSS-8650. ii. Upon receipt of required (FNS 435.01 B) and mandatory (FNS 435.01 A) missing verification, determine eligibility within five calendar days. If determined eligible the household loses its entitlement to benefits in the month of application. iii. Processing delay is caused by the household and a good cause reason exist; regulatory delay is allowable. • Enter appropriate reason in NC FAST and document the reason for the delay. • Evaluate good cause on a case-by-case basis. Regulatory delay is the only entry that prevents the case from being counted as overdue regardless of the actual processing time.