Page 101

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES EXPEDITED SERVICES

10/24 VOLUME V, PART V, PAGE 3

within the expedited processing standards. Verification may be obtained through collateral contacts or readily available documentary evidence before certification. The BPS may not delay benefits beyond the expedited processing standards solely because these eligibility factors have not been verified, however.

The BPS must attempt to obtain as much additional verification as possible but should not delay the certification of households entitled to expedited service if the BPS determines that it is unlikely that other verification can be obtained within the expedited period.

Once the household has supplied the name of an acceptable collateral contact or has asked the BPS for assistance in locating such a contact, the BPS must promptly contact the collateral contact or otherwise assist the household in obtaining the necessary verification. If the household is unable to provide documentary evidence or the name of a collateral contact, the BPS must assist the household in obtaining suitable verification.

Households entitled to expedited service must furnish a Social Security number for each person or apply for one for each person by the postponed verification deadline. Household members who are unable to provide the required Social Security number or who do not have one prior to the verification deadline may continue to participate only if they satisfy the good cause requirements specified in Part VII.G.4.

Once the applicant verifies identity, the BPS must not delay benefits beyond the delivery standard defined in Part V.C.

E. CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE (7 CFR 273.2(i)(4)(iii)

Households that are certified on an expedited basis and that have provided all necessary verifications as required must have a normal certification period. The length of the certification period and benefit delivery date is determined by the application date.

1. If verification was postponed, and the application was filed on the 1st through the 15th of the month, the BPS may certify the household for the month of application only; or assign a normal certification period to households whose circumstances would otherwise warrant a longer certification period. In either case, however, benefits may not continue past the month of application if verification continues to be postponed, even if the household is not entitled to an allotment for the month of application because benefits prorated to less than $10.

If certified only for the month of application, the BPS must send the Notice of Expiration as required by Part IV.C. The household must reapply and complete the verification requirements that were postponed. If a certification period of longer than one month is assigned, the BPS must notify the household in writing that no further benefits will be issued until the postponed verification is completed. The notice must also include information that the household must provide the postponed verification by the 30th day following the date of application or the household's case will be closed. Additionally, the notice must advise the household that if verification results in changes in the household's

TRANSMITTAL #35