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Subject: SNAP Application Processing

Policy 24.02 Date of Last Review: 11/30/2023 Effective Date: 12/01/2022 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 RDA: SW22 Page 12 of 20 b. The proration of the household’s initial month’s benefits will be done by the case management system. However, if the Eligibility Counselor does need to prorate benefits please reference Prorating SNAP Benefits or the proration calculator. 6. If an application for recertification is not received until after the certification period has expired, benefits for the initial month will be prorated. However, for verification purposes, it should be treated as a renewal when filed within thirty (30) days of expiration. 7. Eligible households which are entitled to no benefits shall be denied participation, on the ground that their net income exceeds the level below which benefits are issued. a. The certification period will begin with the month of application for eligible households, which are not entitled to benefits because the initial proration is less than ten dollars ($10.00) but will be entitled to benefits in subsequent months. b. If a household is claiming actual utility expenses in excess of the Department’s utility standard and the expense would actually result in a deduction, the expense must be verified. c. If the actual utility expenses cannot be verified before the thirty (30) days allowed to process the application expire, the Eligibility Counselor shall use the standard. d. If the household wishes to claim expenses for an unoccupied home, the Eligibility Counselor shall verify the actual expenses for the unoccupied home in every case and shall not use the standard utility allowance. e. If a deductible expense must be verified, and obtaining the verification may delay the SNAP certification, the Eligibility Counselor shall advise the household that the eligibility and benefit level may be determined without providing a deduction for the claimed, but unverified, expense. This shall also apply to the allowance of medical expenses and dependent care costs. f. If the expense cannot be verified within thirty (30) days of the date of application, the Eligibility Counselor shall determine the eligibility and benefit level without providing a deduction for the unverified expense. g. If the household subsequently provides the missing verification, the Eligibility Counselor shall determine the benefits and provide increased benefits, if any, in reported changes. The household shall be entitled to the restoration as a result of the disallowance of the processing standard because the Eligibility Counselor failed to allow the household sufficient time to verify the expense. h. If the household would be ineligible unless the expense is allowed, the application shall be handled as provided in SNAP Policy 24.03 Timeliness Standards. Disposition of Application An application continues in the application stage until action is taken. This action consists of: 1. Approval of application;