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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 16 of 20 c. Households that qualify and are certified for twenty-four (24) months that report a one­ time medical expense during the certification have the following options; i. One-time medical expenses reported in the first twelve (12) months of certification, the household will have the option to; a) deducting the medical expense for one month, b) averaging the medical expense over the remainder of the first twelve (12) months of the certification period, or c) averaging the medical expense over the remaining months in the certification period. ii. One-time medical expenses reported after the twelfth (12th) month of the certification period can be deducted in one month or averaged over the remaining months of the certification period, at the household’s option. d. Refer to Consideration of a One-Time Medical Expense for examples. Approval or Denial of Application 1. If it is determined that the applicant is eligible for assistance, the Eligibility Counselor shall: a. Record documentation information in the case management system b. Complete and authorize the case. 2. In some instances, it will be obvious during the intake interview that an applicant is ineligible. When this occurs the Eligibility Counselor should explain the reason for denial to the applicant, document the case, and then authorize the denial. 3. If it is determined late in the process that the applicant is ineligible for assistance, the Eligibility Counselor shall complete the necessary screens in the case management system, document in case notes, and authorize the denial. 4. When an application for initial benefits has been filed and the eligibility interview is not completed as required, the agency must notify the household in writing of the missed interview and that it is the customer’s responsibility to reschedule. If the customer has not rescheduled, the application shall be denied on the thirtieth (30th) day (next business day if the thirtieth (30th) day falls on a weekend or holiday). 5. When an application has been mailed to the county office for a renewal appointment and the customer does not keep the appointment; a. Enter the application in the case management system with the sign date being the date the application was received if the application is received within the month of the appointment. b. If the application is received prior to the first day of the last month of eligibility, the sign date should be the first day of the last month of eligibility.