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87 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Table of contents Chapter 2: Eligibility Application..................................................................................... 93 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 93 Online application................................................................................................................................................... 93 Date of request........................................................................................................................................................ 93 Filing date................................................................................................................................................................ 96 Effective date of benefits........................................................................................................................................ 97 Certification periods..............................................................................................................................................103 The application process.........................................................................................................................................107 When to use an application...................................................................................................................................108 Signing an application and completing the application process.........................................................................112 Interviews...............................................................................................................................................................114 Head of household.................................................................................................................................................117 Authorized representative.....................................................................................................................................118 Alternate payee......................................................................................................................................................120 Assistance with applications................................................................................................................................121 Expedited service and priority processing...........................................................................................................123 Eligibility groups............................................................................132 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................132 Household group ...................................................................................................................................................132 Filing group............................................................................................................................................................141 Financial group.......................................................................................................................................................149 Need group.............................................................................................................................................................151 Benefit group..........................................................................................................................................................152 Individual information...................................................................156 Introduction............................................................................................................................................................156 Name/identity.........................................................................................................................................................156 Date of birth (DOB) and age...................................................................................................................................157 Social Security number (SSN)...............................................................................................................................159