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Effective Date: 02/15/2023 RDA: SW22 Page 1 of 13 Date of Last Review: 11/30//2023 Date of Next Review: 11/30/2026 SNAP Continued Responsibilities Policy 24.25 Effective: February 15, 2023 Introduction Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) shall meet federal and state guidelines regarding the requirements for continuing participation for SNAP households after eligibility has been approved. Scope The purpose of this policy is to provide staff an understanding of the required actions by the state agency and participating SNAP households in order to provide a continuation of SNAP benefits. Policy Establishing Certification Periods 1. The period of eligibility for a SNAP household is its certification period. When staff complete the application process and determine the household is eligible, the longest certification period shall be given based on the predictability of the household’s circumstances. Staff shall also refer to Policy 24.02 SNAP Application Processing. a. All households must be given an appropriate certification based on the household circumstances. b. Case notes should indicate the reason why the certification period was given to the household. c. A partial month of benefits is considered one of the months in the certification period even if that month prorates to zero (0), if otherwise eligible. 2. At the expiration of each certification period, entitlement to SNAP benefits will end and benefits shall not be continued without a new application and a determination of eligibility, even if the household has requested a fair hearing of an adverse action.