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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES INTRODUCTION

10/24 VOLUME V, PART I, PAGE 8

H. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION (7 CFR 272.1(c), 272.1(d))

Use or disclosure of information obtained from SNAP applicant households exclusively for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is restricted to the following:

1. Persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the provisions of the Food and Nutrition Act or regulations, other federal assistance programs, or federally assisted State programs which provide aid, on a means-tested basis, to low- income individuals. This includes the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS).

2. Employees of the Comptroller General's Office of the United States for audit examination authorized by any other provision of law.

3. Local, state, or federal law enforcement officials upon a written request to investigate an alleged SNAP violation. The written request must include the identity of the individual requesting the information and the authority to do so, the violation being investigated, and the name of the person for whom the information is requested.

4. Law enforcement officials upon notification that an individual is fleeing prosecution or imprisonment, is in violation of parole or, that an individual has information needed to investigate a felony or parole violation. The request for information must specify the name of a SNAP household member. Disclosure is limited to an individual's address, Social Security number, and photograph, if available, upon a written request. The agency may not disclose scheduled appointment dates or times, SNAP case information, or EBT account information. In addition, the agency may not disclose information about other unspecified household members or other SNAP cases. The written request must include the identity of the individual requesting the information and the authority to do so, and the violation being investigated.

5. The parent locator service to assist in the Child Support Enforcement Program under Title IV-D, upon request; and

6. Persons directly connected with the verification of immigration status of aliens applying for SNAP benefits through SAVE to the extent the information is necessary to identify the individual for verification purposes.

If there is a written request by a responsible member of the household, its currently authorized representative, or a person acting on its behalf, the household representative must be allowed to review material and information contained in the case file, during normal business hours. The agency may withhold confidential information, however, such as the names of individuals who have disclosed information about the household without the household's knowledge, or the nature or status of pending criminal prosecutions.

All local departments of social services must maintain state regulations and manuals that affect the public for examination by the public on regular workdays during regular office hours.

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