10:87-2.13 Filing an application

(a) The CSSAs shall utilize an application form approved by the Division of Family Development. The application shall prominently contain understandable terms that benefits will be subject to verification by Federal, State and local officials to determine that the information is factual and that incorrect information can lead to denial and may subject the applicant to criminal prosecution for knowingly providing incorrect information, as well as civil and criminal provisions and penalties. In addition, the front page shall provide space for the applicant to write his or her name, address and signature; a clear statement of the household's right to immediately file an application; and notice that benefits are provided from date of application. (b) Households must file an NJ SNAP application by submitting the appropriate form to the NJ SNAP office in person, through an authorized representative, by mail, by data- faxing or electronically. The amount of time for the CSSA to deliver benefits is calculated from the date the application is filed in the NJ SNAP office designated to accept the household's application (see N.J.A.C. 10:87-2.26 and 2.27). Households subject to SSI joint processing (see N.J.A.C. 10:87-2.12(a)3) must file an NJ SNAP application by submitting the appropriate form to the SSA/DO in person, through an authorized representative, or by mail. The amount of time for the CSSA to deliver benefits is calculated from the date the application is filed in the SSA/DO designated to accept the household's application (see N.J.A.C. 10:87-2.26). Residents of public institutions who jointly apply for NJ SNAP benefits and SSI under SSA's Prerelease Program for the Institutionalized shall have their date of release from the institution considered as the date of application for NJ SNAP purposes. (c) Each household has the right to file an application during office hours of the same day it contacts the NJ SNAP office within the county of its residence. The household shall be advised that it does not have to be interviewed before filing the application and may file an incomplete application. 1. In order to be considered an application for NJ SNAP purposes, the paper or electronic application must contain, at a minimum, the applicant's name and address, and must be signed by a responsible member of the household or the household's authorized representative (see N.J.A.C. 10:87-2.7). 2. The CSSA shall document the date the application was filed by recording on the application the date it was received by the CSSA. 3. CSSAs shall accept and process applications during a month(s) in which a reduction, suspension, or cancellation is in effect in accordance with the requirements in this subchapter. Benefits shall be issued in accordance with the requirements at N.J.A.C. 10:87-2.26(c). (d) The CSSA shall encourage households to file an application the same day the household or its representative contacts the certification office, in person or by telephone, and expresses interest in obtaining NJ SNAP assistance or indicates food insecurity. The CSSA shall inform households that receiving NJ SNAP benefits will have no bearing on the time limits that apply to any other program and shall inform households that the requirements associated with applying for cash assistance do not apply for the NJ SNAP program. 1. If the household has contacted the certification office by telephone designated to accept that household's application but does not wish to come to the office to file the application that same day and instead prefers receiving an application through the mail, the CSSA shall provide an application form to the household on the same day the telephone request is received. Additionally, the household shall be advised that a copy of the application may be obtained from the website maintained by the State of New Jersey, or it may be data-faxed. If the household has requested food assistance in writing, the CSSA shall mail an application form or if requested, data-fax the form, to the household on the same day the written request is received. 2. If a household contacts the wrong certification office within the county, either in person or by telephone, that certification office shall, in addition to meeting the requirements at (d)1 above, give the household the address and telephone number of the appropriate office, explain how to file an application, and encourage the household to file its application in person, by mail or by electronic means at the appropriate office that same day. The certification office shall also offer to data-fax the household's application to the appropriate office that same day if the household has completed enough information to file. The household shall be informed that its application will not be considered filed and the processing standards shall not begin until the application is received by the appropriate office. If the household has mailed its request or application for food assistance to the wrong office, the certification office shall data-fax the request or application to the appropriate office on the same day. (e) The CSSA shall make application forms readily accessible to potentially eligible households and those groups and organizations involved in outreach efforts. The CSSA shall also provide an application form or on-line copy of the application form for electronic filing to anyone who requests this form. Electronic signature techniques and hand-written signatures transmitted electronically are acceptable for signature identification. (f) The CSSAs shall post signs in each certification office which explain the application processing standards and the right to file an application on the day of initial contact. The CSSA shall include similar information about same day filing in outreach materials. (g) The household may voluntarily withdraw its application at any time prior to the determination of eligibility. The CSSA shall document in the case record the reason for withdrawal, if any was stated by the household, and that contact was made with the household to confirm the withdrawal. The household shall be advised of its right to reapply at any time subsequent to the withdrawal. History HISTORY: As amended, R.1980 d.117, effective March 19, 1980. See: 11 N.J.R. 517(a), 12 N.J.R. 194(b). (c)2: Added second to last sentence; added "that same day" to previous sentence; made minor language changes. As amended, R.1981 d.64, effective February 26, 1981. See: 13 N.J.R. 226(b). (b)3 added. Amended by R.1989 d.121, effective February 21, 1989. See: 20 N.J.R. 2689(a), 21 N.J.R. 511(b). Substantially amended. Amended by R.1989 d.464, effective September 5, 1989. See: 21 N.J.R. 1636(a), 21 N.J.R. 2790(a). Date of application for applicants who are institutionalized is now the same as date of release from institution. Amended by R.2004 d.181, effective May 17, 2004. See: 36 N.J.R. 28(a), 36 N.J.R. 2425(a). Rewrote the section. Administrative change. See: 44 N.J.R. 1529(a).