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242 1 9 . 1 0 D E F I N I T I O N O F T H E E L D E R L Y S I M P L I F I E D A P P L I C A T I O N P R O J E C T ( E S A P ) The South Carolina Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP) is designed to simplify the SNAP process for elderly households who have traditionally proven to be our most stable population, on fixed income, with few reportable changes in household composition or deductions.

This segment of our population faces barriers to participation in SNAP due to the complexity of the application process and problems associated with age, such as transportation, mobility and disability.

In addition, this project is consistent with the SNAP goal of providing food assistance to raise levels of nutrition among low-income individuals and to better serve the nutritional needs of elderly individuals.

ESAP cases are handled by the county DSS office staff who processes all applications, continuing eligibility and maintenance functions.

1 9 . 1 1 E L I G I B I L I T Y F O R T H E E L D E R L Y S I M P L I F I E D A P P L I C A T I O N P R O J E C T ( E S A P ) To be determined an ESAP household; the household must meet the following requirements:

(A) All household members are elderly (age 60 or older) (B) The household has no earned income. (C) No member of the household receives SNAP benefits under SCCAP. Households mandatory for SCCAP “Y” cannot participate in ESAP. Households that meet the definition for SCCAP but participate in the regular SNAP under SCCAP “E” must participate in ESAP if they meet ESAP eligibility. (D) Complete an interview at initial application and reapplication.

ESAP eligibility will be determined based on information on the application, information obtained during the interview, and any information from state and federal computer matches. To determine eligibility, the household will not have to verify any additional information, unless questionable. If information regarding non-citizen status is needed, the household must provide this verification. In addition, any information that is not verified through state and federal computer matches (SDX, BENDEX, IEVS, etc.) such as medical expenses or child support expenses, may be considered questionable and require additional verification on the part of the household.

ESAP benefits will be calculated the same as for any regular SNAP household. For all households whose eligibility is determined under ESAP, the ESAP indicator on CHIP INRD screen will be coded "Y". Eligible ESAP households are assigned a 36-month (3-year) certification period.