Page 54

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES APPLICATION PROCESSING

10/24 VOLUME V, PART II, PAGE 18

The local agency must reevaluate any denied application, filed jointly, or pending simultaneously for SNAP and PA benefits, whenever the household requests it or the agency becomes aware of the household's approval for PA benefits. The local agency may not require the client to come to the office for another interview but, must use any available information to update the application that was denied. The local agency may contact the household by mail or telephone to determine any changes in circumstances.

If the applicant amends the application, the household must initial and date any changes, and re-date and re-sign the application.

Except for residents of public institutions who apply jointly for SSI and SNAP benefits before to their release from the institution, any categorically eligible household determined eligible for TANF, SSI or GR – Unattached Child benefits within the 30-day SNAP processing time must receive benefits back to the date of the SNAP application. The agency may not provide SNAP benefits for a month a household is ineligible for PA benefits unless the household is eligible for SNAP benefits as a NA case.

Households that become categorically eligible after the SNAP application is denied or during the extended pending period are eligible for SNAP benefits retroactive to the PA benefit effective date or the SNAP application date, whichever is later. Residents of public institutions who apply jointly for SSI and SNAP benefits before their release from the institution are eligible for benefits from the date of their release from the institution.

Examples

a. A household files a joint application for TANF and SNAP benefits on 11/15. The household has bank accounts with balances that total $4200. Because of the difference between the TANF and SNAP Programs in the evaluation of resources, the household would be ineligible for SNAP benefits as a NA household but, categorically eligible if TANF was approved.

1) Suppose TANF eligibility is determined on 12/4, with the first money payment issued for December.

Because the household was determined eligible for TANF within the 30-day SNAP application processing timeframe and was not determined ineligible for TANF for November, the household is considered categorically eligible back to 11/15, the date of the SNAP application.

2) Suppose as of 12/15, a determination on the TANF application has not been made because of exceptions to the 30-day TANF processing period. The agency may deny the SNAP application on the 30th day, keeping it easily retrievable, or issue a Notice of Action to extend the pending for an additional 30 days while awaiting a decision on TANF eligibility.

TRANSMITTAL #35