Page 81

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 1

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 48 Chapter 1 Application/Redetermination Process

The client is not required to provide a complete application form to begin the application process so long as the incomplete application form contains, at a minimum, the client’s name, address, and signature. An incomplete application containing, at a minimum, the client’s name, address, and signature protects the date of application through the application process and must be acted upon. Whether the application received is complete or is an allowable incomplete application, an interview must be scheduled. See Section 1.4.4, Interview Required, below. If, at any time during the application process, the client refuses to sign an application form that contains at a minimum, the client’s name, address, then it is a withdrawal and appropriate eligibility system action and client notification must be completed. The recording in case comments must specify that the client did not want to sign the application and the reason for the decision. When the applicant chooses to leave or end the interview before it is complete and does not indicate to the Worker that he wants to withdraw his application, it is considered a withdrawal and appropriate action is taken. 1.4.3 DATE OF APPLICATION The date of application is the date the applicant submits a DFA-2 or DFA-SNAP- 1 in person, by fax, other electronic transmission, or by mail, which contains, at a minimum, his name, address, and signature. When the application is submitted by mail or fax, it is considered an original application and the date of application is the date that the form with the name, address, and signature is received in the local office. All SNAP applicants must be screened for Expedited Service on the day the application is made, whether the client is applying for SNAP benefits only or SNAP benefits in combination with any other program. NOTE: The Worker should always encourage the client to sign the application to avoid a misunderstanding that he was denied the right to apply.