Food assistance: determining eligibility of supplemental security income assistance groups

Supplemental security income (SSI) assistance groups are those in which all members are applicants for, or recipients of SSI as defined in rule 5101:4-2-03 of the Administrative Code. SSI assistance groups, who are not certified for supplemental nutrition assistance program

(SNAP) benefits, have not applied for SNAP benefits during the previous thirty days, and do not have an application for SNAP pending have the option of applying for SNAP benefits at their local social security administration district office or at the local county agency. The county agency shall not require persons potentially eligible for SSI to make application for SSI benefits as a condition of SNAP eligibility.

(A) What are the eligibility standards for SSI assistance groups? SSI assistance groups applying simultaneously for SSI and SNAP benefits are subject to SNAP eligibility criteria until the assistance group is considered categorically eligible. However, when each assistance group member receives or is authorized to receive Ohio works first

(OWF), SSI, or a temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) funded service, or any combination of these benefits, the assistance group is categorically eligible as described in rule 5101:4-2-02 of the Administrative Code.

(B) What forms are required for SSI assistance groups? The following forms are required:

(1) JFS 07200, "Application for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance or Child Care Assistance."

(2) JFS 01846, "Case Worksheet-Cash, Food Stamps, and Medical Assistance Interview" shall be completed by the social security administration when a telephone interview is completed.

(C) How are applications for individuals participating in the social security administration's prerelease program processed?

(1) An assistance group that consists of a resident or residents of a public institution(s) that applies for SSI under the social security administration's prerelease program for the institutionalized is allowed to apply for SNAP benefits jointly with their application for SSI prior to their release from the institution. These applications will be forwarded to the county agency by the social security administration. The application used for prerelease applicants will be the JFS 07200, to be followed by an interactive interview.

(2) The county agency is to make an eligibility determination and issue SNAP benefits to a resident of a public institution who applies jointly for SSI and SNAP within thirty days following the date of the applicant's release from the institution. Expedited processing time standards for an applicant who has applied for SNAP and SSI prior to release is to begin on the date of the applicant's release from the institution. In addition, if, for any reason, the county agency is not notified on a timely basis of an applicant's release date from a public institution, the county agency is to restore benefits.

(D) What is the social security administration's responsibility? In accordance with 7 C.F.R. 273.2 (3/2023), the social security administration is required to:

(1) Inform an applicant for or recipient of social security benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act of 1935 or SSI of the availability of benefits under the SNAP program and the availability of a SNAP application at the social security administration office.

(2) Accept all SNAP applications received at the social security administration office from SSI assistance groups and forward them within one working day after receipt of a signed application to the county agency. The social security administration is to also forward to the county agency a transmittal form. The prerelease applications will be forwarded to the county agency consistent with the above timeframe. The social security administration will later notify the county agency of the applicant's impending release date. Note: counties are required to keep local social security administration offices supplied with the JFS 07200, and the JFS 01846.

(3) Prescreen all applications for entitlement to expedited services on the day the application is received at the social security administration and shall mark "Expedited Processing" on the first page of all applications that appear to be entitled to such processing. The social security administration will inform assistance groups that appear to meet the criteria for expedited service that benefits may be issued a few days sooner if the assistance group applies directly at the county agency. The assistance group may take the application to the county agency for screening, an interview, and processing of the application.

(4) Send information to SSI assistance groups redetermined for SSI by mail of their right to file a SNAP application at the social security administration or at their local SNAP office.

(E) What are the interview requirements for SSI assistance groups when the interview is completed at the social security administration?

(1) In accordance with 7 C.F.R. 273.2(k), when the social security administration completes an interactive interview for SNAP on the telephone with a member of an SSI assistance group, the social security administration is required to complete a JFS 01846 during the telephone interview. In these cases, the JFS 07200 is required to be mailed to the claimant for signature and returned to the social security administration or county agency. The social security administration is required to forward any SNAP applications it receives to the county agency within one working day.

(2) The social security administration will provide the county with documentation (i.e., photocopies) of items that must be verified (e.g., income) if the applicant is in possession of such documents at the time of the interview.

(3) The county agency shall not require the assistance group to be interviewed again and it shall not contact the assistance group further in order to obtain additional information unless: