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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES CERTIFICATION PERIODS/RECERTIFICATION

10/24 VOLUME V, PART IV, PAGE 6

4. Time Frames for Providing Verification at Recertification (7 CFR 273.14(b)(4))

For a timely recertification application, the household must provide verifications within 10 calendar days of the agency’s request or by the last day of the certification period, whichever is later. If the household does not provide verification timely, the household will lose its right to uninterrupted benefits.

The BPS must approve or deny the application by the 30th day after the filing date provided the household has had at least 10 days to provide the verification requested. If the 30th day falls during the weekend or on a holiday, the BPS must take the action on the first business day after the 30th day.

5. Agency Action on Timely Applications for Recertification (7 CFR 273.14(d))

If a household filed a timely application for recertification, as allowed by Part IV.C.2, had an interview, as allowed by Part IV.C.3, and provided requested verifications within the timeframes given in Part IV.C.4, the BPS must provide uninterrupted benefits to the household.

The time standards for providing uninterrupted benefits are as follows:

a. A household certified in the last month of its certification period must get a notice of its eligibility or ineligibility, and be provided an opportunity to participate, no later than 30 calendar days after the date the household had an opportunity to obtain its last SNAP benefit.

b. Any other household must have the Notice of Action to approve or deny the case mailed by the last day of the current certification period. An eligible household must have an opportunity to participate by the first day of the first month of the new certification period.

The agency must provide an opportunity to participate within five working days after a household supplies any missing verification if the agency is unable to process a timely filed application by the normal processing period because of the 10-day time frame for providing verification. The agency may not prorate benefits if the household provides requested information within the 10-day period.

If the BPS is unable to process a timely application in enough time to give uninterrupted benefits, the BPS must give the household an opportunity to participate the next working day after determining the household eligible. The household must receive a full month’s allotment for the first month of the new certification period.

6. Household Failure to Act (7CFR 273.14(e))

A household that submits a timely application for recertification and meets all other required processing steps must have the right to receive uninterrupted benefits, as defined in Part IV.C.5. A household that fails to participate in an interview (Part IV.C.3).,

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