Page 64

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES APPLICATION PROCESSING

10/25 VOLUME V, PART II, APPENDIX II, PAGE 1

VIRGINIA COMBINED APPLICATION PROJECT

The Virginia Combined Application Project (VaCAP) is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This demonstration project streamlines the application process for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for elderly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients and increases their SNAP participation. It does not replace all SNAP eligibility criteria but streamlines certain criteria as defined in this appendix.

Eligible VaCAP participants are identified through a cross match of the State Data Exchange (SDX) and the current SNAP caseload. SDX information is also used by VDSS to update eligibility for SSI recipients monthly after approval for VaCAP. Applications and recertification applications are mailed monthly.

VDSS notifies applicants that they have the option to apply for and participate in the regular, ongoing SNAP, and have the case managed through the local department of social services (LDSS) according to standard policies and procedures.

VaCAP Eligible Household:

To be eligible for VaCAP, an individual must be identified through the SDX as one who: • Receives SSI; • Lives in Virginia; • Is 65 years of age or older; • Has any Marital Status other than “Married”; • Is not institutionalized; • Meets Federal Living Arrangement A (FLA=”A”); and • Has no earned income.

In addition, the individual: • Is not currently receiving SNAP; and • Purchases and prepares food separately.

VaCAP Application Procedures:

VDSS will mail a simplified application to SSI recipients who meet the eligibility criteria and who are not currently participating in SNAP. Applicants must sign and return the application to the LDSS in the city or county of residence. If the applicant does not return the application within 30 days, a second application is mailed. If the second application is not returned, an application will be mailed at 12- month intervals until a total of five applications are mailed. Individuals may apply for VaCAP if it is determined they meet the VaCAP criteria but, did not receive a computer- generated application because they had already received five applications, or an application had been mailed less than 12 months ago, or because they were participating in regular SNAP.

TRANSMITTAL #36