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Subject: SNAP Rights and Responsibilities of Applicants/Participants

Policy 24.00 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Effective Date: 11/01/2019 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 7 of 9 Definitions/Acronyms Term Definition Application or Application Form An application is a form prescribed by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) and/or approved by FNS containing prescribed information which is submitted to the County Office of the TDHS by a person requesting assistance, or by the person’s legally appointed guardian, designated agent or authorized representative. For Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) purposes, an initial application is the first month for which the HH applies for participation, following any period during which the HH was not certified for participation in SNAP. Applicant 1. An applicant is a person who has submitted a completed and signed document prescribed by TDHS requesting SNAP, and/or a form approved by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) containing at least a legible name, address and a signature to request SNAP for the HH of which he/she is a member. 2. An authorized representative or designated agent may actually file the application provided they have been authorized to do so by the head of the HH, spouse, or other responsible HH member. Authorized Representative An authorized representative is the person designated by the head of the HH, spouse, or other responsible HH member for making application for SNAP including participation in the interview. Also, an authorized representative may be an employee of a private treatment and rehabilitation program which must be certified by the designated state agency. This employee shall act in the treatment center patient’s behalf of making application for SNAP, receiving and/or spending the coupons. Complainant A complainant is an applicant or recipient, or individual acting on behalf of the applicant or recipient, who initiates expressed dissatisfaction with action taken by TDHS staff in relation to assistance for which the client has applied or which he is receiving and it does not need to be on a prescribed form. Fair Hearing A procedure whereby an appeal may be made by persons whose applications are denied, not acted upon with reasonable promptness, or who are otherwise aggrieved by the agency’s interpretation of any provision of the SNAP laws and regulations as it affects their situations. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) The division of the United States Department of Agriculture which supervises the SNAP Program at the federal level. FNS Food and Nutrition Service Household (HH) A HH is a social unit comprised of varying numbers of individuals who live together in the same dwelling. It is also the concept used to determine the food purchasing and preparation patterns of all individuals with common living quarters. For SNAP purposes, a group of people who customarily purchase and prepare food together for home consumption. For program purposes, an individual living alone may be a HH. HH Household Income A recurring gain or benefit measured in money amounts.