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38 (B) An individual disqualified for an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) cannot act as an authorized representative during the disqualification period, unless the Agency has determined that no one else is available to serve as an authorized representative. The Agency must separately determine whether the individual is needed to apply on behalf of the household, or to obtain benefits on behalf of the household. (C) If the Agency has determined that an authorized representative has knowingly provided false information about household circumstances or has made improper use of SNAP benefits, it may disqualify that person from being an authorized representative for up to one year. The Agency must send written notification to the affected household(s) and the authorized representative 30 days prior to the date of disqualification. The notification must specify the reason for the proposed action and the household's right to request a fair hearing. This provision is not applicable in the case of DAAs and those GLAs which act as authorized representatives for their residents. However, DAAs and the heads of GLAs that act as authorized representatives for their residents, and which intentionally misrepresent households’ circumstances, may be prosecuted under applicable Federal and State statutes for their acts. (D) Homeless meal providers may not act as authorized representatives for homeless SNAP recipients. In order to prevent abuse of the program, the Agency may set a limit on the number of households an authorized representative may represent. In the event a single authorized representative has access to a large number of households’ benefits, the Agency will exercise caution to assure that each household has freely requested the assistance of the authorized representative, the household's circumstances are correctly represented, the household is receiving the correct amount of benefits and that the authorized representative is properly using the benefits.

3 . 7 L I M I T E D E N G L I S H P R O F I C I E N T ( L E P ) O R S P E C I A L N E E D H O U S E H O L D S For a SNAP applicant who may not speak English well or who is deaf, hard of hearing, or visually impaired, a DSS Form 2664, Accommodation Assessment, must be completed at the initial interview/contact with the household. A DSS Form 2664 is not required for other household members unless another member sometimes communicates with the Agency. For additional information, please refer to the Individual & Provider Rights Division’s Civil Rights Tool Kit.

If the assessment determines that accommodations such as an interpreter and translated materials are needed, the accommodations must be provided at no cost to the household. The designation and use of an authorized representative will not be considered an accommodation.