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S N A P M A N U A L

186 requirements of Section 15.3 Simplified Reporting Households. The Agency may not use the Notice of Expiration to shorten a certification period.

NOTE: Loss of public assistance or a change in employment status is not sufficient in and of itself to meet the criteria necessary for shortening the certification period.

1 3 . 9 C E R T I F I C A T I O N N O T I C E S T O H O U S E H O L D S (1) Initial applications

The Agency will provide applicants with one of the following written notices as soon as a determination is made, but no later than 30 days after the date of the initial application: (A) Notice of eligibility.

1. If an application is approved, the Agency will provide the household with written notice of the amount of the allotment and the beginning and ending dates of the certification period. The household will also be advised of variations in the benefit level based on changes anticipated at the time of certification.

If the initial allotment contains benefits for both the month of application and the current month's benefits, the notice will explain that the initial allotment includes more than one month's benefits and will indicate the monthly allotment amount for the remainder of the certification period. The notice will also advise the household of its right to a fair hearing, the telephone number of the SNAP office (a toll-free number or a number where collect calls will be accepted for households outside the local calling area), and, if possible, the name of the person to contact for additional information. If there is an individual or organization available that provides free legal representation, the notice will also advise the household of the availability of the services. 2. In cases where a household's application is approved on an expedited basis without verification, the notice will explain that the household must provide the verification which was waived and the consequences of failure to provide the postponed verification.

3. For households provided a notice of expiration at the time of certification, the notice of eligibility may be combined with the notice of expiration or separate notices may be sent. (B) Notice of denial. If the application is denied, the Agency will provide the household with written notice explaining the basis for the denial, the household's right to request a fair hearing, the telephone number of the SNAP office (a toll-free number or a number where collect calls will be accepted for households outside the local calling area), and, if possible, the name of the person to contact for additional information.