Page 74

Page | 73 4140 PAPER APPLICATION PROCESS

Paper applications are received by mail, fax, drop off, or email at the local office. If the applicant drops off the application, they are given the option of seeing a Benefits Specialist right away or scheduling an appointment for a later date.

If the application is received by mail, fax, email, or in a drop box, within 1 working day from the date the application form is received, the Benefits Specialist must enter it on ACCESS and complete the DSS-EA-300, Cover letter and Verification Checklist, to notify the household of what action the household needs to take to complete the application process.

Within two working days of receipt of a signed application, the Benefits Specialist must enter the initial application information on the STAT panels with the information that is available AND enter an initial application narrative on ACCESS. The DSS EA 300 should indicate:  A list of the required verification(s)  The appointment date (if the interview has not been completed)  A list of the non-required verifications  The date by which the required verification must be received

If the application is received via mail, fax, drop off, or electronically, the pending notice (DSS-EA- 300) should be mailed to the household within 1 working day of the receipt of the application or first page. A pending notice is also given to the household at the close of the interview whenever some action is required by the applicant or DSS to complete the application process.

4150 ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants can apply online at https://eaportal.sd.gov/. The website has instructions for the applicant on how to file an online application. Customers may electronically submit the entire application or page one (name, address, and signature) of the application. The customer may also start the application process and save the information for submission at a later date. 4160 NOTIFICATION OF PENDING APPLICATION

Whenever information is needed in order to make a determination on the case, a pending notice must be sent informing the household of the necessary information that is needed. The DSS EA- 300 cover letter and verification checklist is considered the pending notice and should be used to inform the household of any necessary information to complete the application process. The cover letter has space for the Benefits Specialist to add any notes that the checklist may not cover. The checklist will also include the timeframe the household has to return the information before the application is denied. *See Appendix 2 for examples for use of the EA-300.

4200 APPLICATION MONTH

A household’s benefit level for the initial application month of certification will be prorated based on date the application was received by the DSS office.

The date of application is the date an application for SNAP is received by DSS as outlined below:  Online Application: The application date will be the current date if the application is filed prior to 5:00 p.m. (CST). If the application is filed after 5:00 p.m. (CST), the application date will be the following day.