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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION

APPLICATIONS FNS 440 APPLICATION DISPOSITION

FNS 440 Change #02-2022 March 1, 2022 FNS 440 APPLICATION DISPOSITION Change #02-2022 March 01, 2022

440.01 CASE DISPOSITION (APPROVE, DENY, OR PEND AN APPLICATION) There are three different ways to dispose of a Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) application. Disposition occurs when an application is processed. The three methods are approval of the application, denial of the application, or pending the application. 440.02 APPROVING AN APPLICATION When approving an FNS application it is recommended to dispose of the FNS application at the earliest opportunity based on the processing standards referenced below to allow the FNS unit an opportunity to purchase food by the appropriate processing due date. • Normal application processing standards refer to FNS 420 Normal Application Processing. • Expedited services processing standards refer to FNS 425 Expedited Service Processing. 440.03 DENYING AN APPLICATION A. Ineligibility Is Established: 1. Deny assistance at any time during the application process when ineligibility is established based on verification or client’s statement of a required verifications (FNS 435.01 B.) or non-required verifications (FNS 435.01 C.) Including but not limited to ineligible ABAWD status, Ineligible Student of Higher Educations, Fleeing Felons, and Controlled Substance Felons. Example: An FNS unit of one makes a statement that they are a student of higher education. The caseworker determines in the interview that the FNS unit does not meet any student exemptions and is an ineligible student. The caseworker may document and deny the application based on the FNS unit’s statements. 2. Mandatory verification as outlined in FNS 435.01 A. must be obtained prior to denying an application even if the client’s statement indicates the household is potentially ineligible. Example: An FNS unit makes a statement of income that is over the gross income limit, because income is a mandatory verification the caseworker must obtain verification prior to denying the