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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES D-SNAP

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representatives attend the VDSS-provided training. Additionally, there will be daily conference calls where any LDSS staff member may call-in and ask questions of VDSS staff regarding the operation of the D-SNAP.

11. Describe procedures for accepting and processing applications, including crowd management procedures at application and issuance sites and fraud prevention measures. Describe also any pre-screening activities. If any volunteers will be there, explain where they are from and what their duties will be.

Volunteers may perform screening activities that do not involve duplicate participation checks. They cannot perform any interview or certification activities.

12. Plan for crowd control including procedures to reduce applicant hardship (i.e. water, bathrooms, etc.) Include information about how to provide accessibility for the elderly or disabled.

Crowd Control

It is anticipated that the number of applicants for the D-SNAP will be significantly larger than the normal flow of SNAP applicants and recipients. The LDSS must have a plan to address an increased number of people.

In order to even out the flow of applicants on a daily basis, the local agency may ask potential applicants to apply alphabetically or according to birth date or Social Security number. Arrangements should be made to acquire crowd control equipment such as rope barriers, directional signs and some form of public address system.

The plan must provide for the deployment of additional staff and volunteers to carry out various functions. These functions may include maintaining orderly lines, assigning numbers to applicants in order for them to be served, informing applicants of the approximate waiting time, or cutting off lines at the closing hour of business identified in the local plan for operating the D-SNAP.

Human Comforts

The LDSS must attempt to provide basic human comforts to those individuals seeking assistance at D-SNAP certification sites. These comforts include bathroom facilities, access to emergency medical care (which may require having a nurse or other medical personnel on site), and the provision of water and small snacks, which may be available from the local Red Cross or other emergency providers.

Some applicants, such as the elderly, those with disabilities, and those whose primary language is not English, may have special needs that must be addressed. This would include ensuring that certification sites and bathroom facilities are handicapped- accessible and that there is adequate, appropriate staff to assist applicants who are blind or deaf or have other impairments. In some instances, the LDSS may need to arrange transportation, conduct home visits, and secure translation services.

TRANSMITTAL #35