Page 92

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CERTIFICATION PERIODS/RECERTIFICATION

10/24 VOLUME V, PART IV, PAGE 5

NOTE: For households entitled to file applications for recertification at the SSA office under the provisions of Part II.G.2, the application filing date will be the date the SSA receives the signed application.

3. Recertification Interviews (7 CFR 273.14(b)(3))

A household that receives a Notice of Expiration must participate in an interview scheduled by the local agency for a date that is on or after a timely application date, to retain its right to uninterrupted benefits. The interview the agency schedules may be face-to-face, by telephone, or by a prearranged home visit.

The agency must schedule interviews for timely filed recertification applications to allow households sufficient time (at least 10 days) to provide necessary verifications to protect the household’s right to uninterrupted benefits. However, an interview is still timely if the agency conducts it by the last date the household can provide necessary verifications to receive uninterrupted benefits.

The local agency may schedule an interview for a date before the last month of the certification period. The agency may not deny the household, however, if the household has not yet filed an application. The BPS may not deny the household if the household fails to appear for the interview or is not available for a telephone interview scheduled before the last month of the certification period.

If the agency does not provide an interview date with the Notice of Expiration, or by some other means before the household files its recertification application, the agency must schedule an interview when the household files an application. If the household misses this scheduled interview, the agency must mail the Missed Interview Notice form to indicate that the household missed the interview. If the household does not reschedule the interview, the agency must deny the application at the end of the processing period.

If the agency schedules an interview on the Notice of Expiration, or by some other means, prior to receiving a timely application, the agency must take no other action if the household misses that interview. If the household files a timely application, the agency must schedule another interview and give uninterrupted benefits if the household provides all necessary verifications before the certification period expires.

If the household files its application for recertification in a timely manner, but due to its fault, is not interviewed in a timely manner, then the household will lose its right to uninterrupted benefits. The BPS must act on the application by the 30th day from the day the application was filed if the household has had at least 10 days to provide needed verifications. If the 30th day falls during the weekend or on a holiday, the agency must take the action on the first business day after the 30th day.

For households that file untimely recertification applications, the agency must schedule interviews to allow households sufficient time (at least 10 days) to provide necessary verifications by the 30-day processing standard.

TRANSMITTAL #35