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401.1 TANF MANUAL 10/21 Page 1a

The Food Stamp Act of 1997 requires that each applicant who is applying for TANF and also wishes to apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, must be allowed to do so in one interview if all members of the TANF assistance unit will be the same as those individuals who comprise the SNAP household.*

All applications for TANF, except on those on which the household has indicated that it does not want SNAP benefits, shall be regarded as SNAP applications. (At application the household will indicate if it does not want SNAP.) If the household's intention to apply for SNAP is unclear, the local agency shall determine at the interview, or in other contact with the household, whether or not the household wants to apply for SNAP benefits. The local agency shall conduct a single interview at initial application for both TANF and SNAP purposes. TANF households shall not be required to see a different EW or otherwise be subjected to two interview requirements to obtain the benefits of both programs. (Refer to the SNAP Manual, Volume V, Part II, H.)

B. Where/How Applications are Made - An application may be made either electronically or in writing.** Forms must be made freely available to the public upon request. The request for assistance must be made with the local department of social services in the county/city in which the applicant resides on either a permanent or temporary basis. Applications may be completed in the local agency and an intake interview conducted. Applicants may also apply, make changes and complete renewals at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov.

Any individual may request that an application be mailed to him. This must be done. An applicant may also file the TANF application by fax. When an application is filed the applicant must be advised that an interview with an EW is required in order to complete the processing of the application. This interview must be scheduled at the earliest date convenient to the applicant and may be conducted either in the local department, in the applicant's home, or by telephone. Any individual may request an application on someone else’s behalf. If an individual requests an application on someone else’s behalf, the local department must provide an application to the individual or mail the application directly to the person on whose behalf the application has been requested.

C. Definition of Applicant - In TANF, the applicant is the parent or relative with whom the child is living who has, either directly or through an authorized representative, made application for assistance and whose eligibility has not been determined. An authorized representative must be at least 18 years of age and must have sufficient knowledge of the applicant's circumstances to provide the necessary information. The authorized representative is usually a spouse, a guardian, or another relative who is able to provide the essential information. If an authorized representative is applying on behalf of a household, written permission from the applicant must be provided to the local agency. The written statement must include the name, address, and telephone number of the authorized representative. Additionally, the written statement must include the applicants/client’s signature, date, address and duties the authorized representative is to perform. The written statement must be filed in the case record.

When an authorized representative applies on behalf of a household, the agency must verify the identity of both the authorized representative and the applicant. The agency may verify identity through readily available documentary evidence, including DMV inquiries through SPIDeR, or through collateral contact, if no other source is available. Acceptable documentary evidence includes, but is not limited to, a driver's license, work or school ID, ID for health benefits or assistance or social services program, a voter registration card, wage stubs, a Social Security card or card stub issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), or a birth certificate. The agency must accept any documents that reasonably establish the applicant’s identity. Households do not have to provide a specific type of verification.

Note: For TANF, an authorized representative can only apply for benefits and receive notices (see notices at 401.4.F.).

* 7 CFR 273.2(j) ** 63.2-501

TANF Transmittal 72