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S N A P M A N U A L

29 Chapter 3 Filing an Application

3 . 1 O P E R A T I O N O F S U P P L E M E N T A L N U T R I T I O N A S S I S T A N C E P R O G R A M ( S N A P ) O F F I C E S The Agency must establish procedures for the operation of SNAP local county offices that best serve households in the State, including households with special needs, such as, but not limited to:

(1) Households with elderly or disabled members, (2) Households in rural areas with low-income members, (3) Homeless individuals, (4) Households with adult members who are not proficient in English, and (5) Households with earned income (working households).

The Agency must provide timely, accurate, and fair service to applicants for, and participants in, SNAP. The Agency cannot, as a condition of eligibility, impose additional application or application processing requirements and must base SNAP eligibility solely on the criteria contained in this policy manual. The Agency must inform persons who wish to apply for SNAP benefits about the application process and their rights and responsibilities.

3 . 2 S N A P A P P L I C A T I O N P R O C E S S The application process includes filing and completing an application form, being interviewed, and having certain information verified. The Agency must act promptly on all applications and provide SNAP benefits retroactive to the month of application to those households that have completed the application process and have been determined eligible. The Agency must meet application processing timelines and must make expedited service available to households in immediate need.

Chapter 3