Page 56

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES APPLICATION PROCESSING

10/24 VOLUME V, PART II, PAGE 20

H. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES (7 CFR 273.2(n))

The head of the household, spouse or any other responsible member of the household may designate an authorized representative to act on behalf of the household in applying for SNAP benefits or in using SNAP benefits. In the event that the only adult living with a household is classified as a nonhousehold member (as defined in Part VI.C.), that individual may be the authorized representative for the minor household members. If households designate employers, growers, crew chiefs, etc. as authorized representatives for farm workers or when any single authorized representative has access to a large number of EBT cards, the worker should exercise caution to assure that the household freely requested the help of the authorized representative; the authorized representative is accurately stating the household's situation; and the authorized representative is properly using the SNAP benefits.

1. Making Application

When the head of the household or the spouse cannot file an application, another household member may apply or the household may designate an adult nonhousehold member as the authorized representative for that purpose. The head of the household or the spouse should prepare or review the application whenever possible, even though another household member or the authorized representative will actually be interviewed. Agency staff must inform the household that the household will be liable for any overissuance that results from erroneous information given by the authorized representative, except as specified in Part II.H.5 regarding participation by residents of drug addict/alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation centers.

Households may designate adults who are nonhousehold members as authorized representatives for certification purposes only under the following conditions:

a. The head of the household, spouse, or another responsible member of the household may designate the authorized representative in writing; and,

b. The authorized representative is an adult who is sufficiently aware of relevant household circumstances.

The worker may determine, on a case-by-case basis, the frequency with which the agency requests the written designation at a subsequent recertification. The worker may request the household’s written designation at the recertification application as often as necessary.

Upon written authorization by the household, the representative must receive copies of all correspondence sent to the household itself. This will include all notices, e.g. Notice of Action, Notice of Expiration, etc. The agency must send the notices to the representative as long as the representative named on the authorization remains the household's authorized representative unless the written authorization specifies an ending date.

TRANSMITTAL #35