Page 227

114–1310. Definitions. A. ‘‘Applicant’’ means a person who has directly or through his authorized representative made application for Food Stamps (FS) to the County Department of Social Services (CDSS) and whose application has not been denied by appropriate CDSS action. B. ‘‘Application’’ means the action taken by a person or his duly authorized representative by signing an application form requesting FS. C. ‘‘Authorized Representative’’ means someone who is acting for another individual with his knowledge and consent and who has knowledge of the other individual’s circumstances. D. ‘‘Benefit’’ means the dollar amount of coupons or benefits provided to the FS benefit group. E. ‘‘Benefit Group’’ means all the persons whose income and deductions must be included in the computation of the FS benefit amount. F. ‘‘Certification Period’’ means the period for which benefits are authorized. G. ‘‘Department’’ means the South Carolina Department of Social Services. H. ‘‘Effective Date of Application’’ means the date on which an application that includes the applicant’s name, address and signature or authorized representative’s signature is filed at the CDSS. I. ‘‘Initial Month’’ means the first month for which the benefit group is certified for FS. J. ‘‘Recertification’’ means the action taken by the benefit group to reapply for FS after the expiration of the certification period. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 5, eff May 26, 1995. 114–1320. Application Processing. A. The State will inform applicants about the eligibility requirements and their rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Department under the Food Stamp Program. Under this requirement, individuals are given information in written form, and orally as appropriate, about coverage, conditions of eligibility, scope of the program, related services available, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants for and recipients of assistance. Specifically developed bulletins or pamphlets explaining the rules regarding eligibility and appeals in simple, understandable terms shall be available. Applicants for and recipients of assistance shall be notified in writing at the time of application and recertification that the Department will regularly request information from other federal and State agencies which will be used to aid in determining their eligibility for and the amount of benefits. B. The Department will verify the validity of all documents used to verify the immigration status of noncitizens through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Systematic Alien Verification Entitlement (SAVE) Program. C. The Department will use information obtained through the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) to verify the eligibility and benefit levels of applicants and participating households D. If an applicant has failed to complete the initial application process and the Department has taken all action to assist, the applicant is sent a notice of denial on the 31st day following application. If the needed information is provided within 60 days of the date of application the household does not have to complete a new application. Benefits will be prorated from the date the needed information is received by the Department if received within 60 days of the application filing date. E. If the applicant fails to verify a new or changed deductible expense, the Department will not allow the deduction. The applicant, if eligible, must be certified without the deduction. F. The household’s timely recertification application will continue to be denied at the end of the last month of the certification period if the recipient either fails to appear for an interview or fails to submit required verification(s) within the required time frame. G. Applicants shall be informed about the eligibility requirements and their rights and responsibili- ties and the responsibilities of the Department under the Food Stamp Program. Under this requirement, individuals are given information in written form, and orally as appropriate, about coverage, conditions of eligibility, scope of the program, related services available, and the rights and responsibilities of applicants for and recipients of assistance. Specifically developed bulletins or pamphlets explaining the rules regarding eligibility and appeals in simple, understandable terms shall