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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 3 of 20 c. Offer to forward the applicant’s application to the appropriate office that same day if the applicant has completed enough information on the form to submit it. 13.The applicant must be informed that the application is considered filed, and the processing standards begin the date the application has been received in a county office. 14.A household cannot be denied the right to file an application. Staff may refer to Multiple Application Processing for SNAP when duplicate applications are filed prior to or after a household’s certification. Prescreening The county’s application procedures shall be designed to identify applicants who are eligible for expedited service at the time they request assistance. For detailed instructions on pre-screening refer to Prescreening for Expedited Services. Scheduling Interviews TDHS must schedule an interview for all applying households who are not interviewed on the same day they submit their application. The interview must be scheduled as promptly as possible to ensure eligible households receive an opportunity to participate within thirty (30) days after the application is filed or within seven (7) days if screened and eligible for expedited services. In instances where a customer applied and is interviewed the day after providing an application, a notice must be sent to the customer that will state the following: “Your scheduled phone interview was held on mm/dd/yy at hh:mm. Thank you for keeping this appointment. Since you completed your phone interview, you will not need to reschedule this appointment. If you have any questions concerning your interview or application, please call the One DHS Contact Center at 1-833-772-8347 (TDHS). If verification(s) of your household’s details are needed, you will receive a separate notice explaining what is needed and the due date.“ The notice should also be sent with the appeal language and the yellow language insert included when sent to the household. Interview 1. The county will schedule face-to-face or out-of-office interviews as promptly as possible after the filing of applications in order to ensure that eligible household receives an opportunity to participate in SNAP within thirty (30) days after the application is filed. 2. An applicant/recipient has the right to request that their office interview be waived. a. A telephone interview can be offered in lieu of a face-to-face interview; or b. A mutually agreed-upon site for the interview can be arranged between the county and applicant/recipient or their authorized representative. c. A telephone interview does not exempt the household from the verification requirements. Special procedures may be used to permit the household to provide verification and thus obtain its benefits in a timely manner. These may include substituting a collateral contact in cases where documentary verification would normally be provided.