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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 6 of 20 5. The federal Privacy Act can affect the household. 6. Each individual or household has the right to a fair hearing to appeal a denial, reduction, or termination of benefits or when action on the request for assistance is not taken with reasonable promptness. Information on filing an appeal will be provided to the individual at the time of action. 7. It is unlawful for anyone to charge, either directly or indirectly, for help to the household in filing the application with the agency. 8. TDHS has thirty (30) days (unless the household is entitled to expedited service) to determine SNAP eligibility and provide assistance with help and cooperation. 9. The household has the responsibility to provide truthful information about their circumstances, substantiating information when requested, and if they are approved for assistance, to report any change in their circumstances within ten (10) days of the date the change becomes known to the household. However, cases assigned to Simplified Reporting are not subject to regular reporting requirements. 10.Each SNAP recipient must furnish or apply for a social security number. Non-SNAP recipients are not required to furnish a social security number. 11.All members of the household who are required to register for or participate in a work program must do so. 12.Approval and payment/issuance can be made only after all eligibility requirements are met. 13.SNAP benefits may be used only to purchase eligible food items. 14.If the household is approved, the head of household will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT) for use in purchasing food. 15.All individuals ages eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) who are applying for Families First and/or SNAP must be asked whether they were ever in state custody as a child. If the answer is yes, they should be directed to https://www.tn.gov/dcs/program-areas/youth-in- transition.html for further information regarding resources that may be available. Verifications 1. The household will be informed that this agency cannot guarantee completion of the application within thirty (30) days unless they cooperate timely by supplying requested information promptly. 2. This does not mean that the applicant/recipient has the sole responsibility for obtaining verifications. Indeed, there are instances when it is easier and faster for the Eligibility Counselor to verify needed information. For example, Clearinghouse may be used to verify Unemployment Insurance Benefit information, rather than contacting Employment Security or requesting award letters from household members. It may also be quicker for the Eligibility Counselor to verify employment or earnings by calling the employer than to wait for the applicant to get a statement or copies of pay records and mail them in.