119.01 When Eligibility Is Uncertain (FSM)

SR 22-25 Dated 10/22

Previous Policy

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When eligibility for public assistance or SSI is uncertain, determine SNAP eligibility first.

 

If the SNAP application is approved and the public assistance or SSI request is later approved, do all of the following:

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process the public assistance or SSI approval as a reported change;

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notify the household of the changes; and

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if the individual’s public assistance or SSI check is delayed beyond the first month of eligibility, disregard the retroactive portion of the first check as a lump sum payment.

 

If the SNAP application is approved and the public assistance or SSI request is later denied, continue SNAP eligibility based on the original application and reported changes.

 

If the individual meets SNAP eligibility requirements but is over the income or resource limits, hold the SNAP decision until the 30th day from the application date or the date the public assistance or SSI determination is made, whichever occurs first.

 

If the public assistance or SSI request is approved by the 30th day, determine whether the household is eligible for SNAP.

 

If the SNAP application is denied due to excess income or resources prior to the public assistance or SSI determination (because of the 30-day application processing time frame), do all of the following:

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determine SNAP eligibility via the categorical eligibility criteria. If eligible, open the SNAP case using the original application and any updated information;

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if the household is not eligible via the categorical eligibility criteria:

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determine SNAP eligibility via the expanded categorical eligibility criteria. If eligible, open the SNAP case using the original application and any updated information;

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if the household is not eligible via the expanded categorical eligibility criteria:

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determine SNAP eligibility for regular SNAP benefits.

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if the household is not eligible via the regular SNAP eligibility criteria:

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issue a Notice of Decision (NOD) which informs the household of the denial;

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if the household is denied pending an SSI decision, send the household a manual NOD informing them of the denial. Advise individuals that if they become eligible for SSI, they may become eligible for SNAP;

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keep the application easily retrievable;

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contact the household and update the information without requiring a new interview, if the public assistance or SSI request is later approved;

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if eligible, open the SNAP case using the original application and any updated information; and

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prorate SNAP from the beginning of the period for which public assistance or SSI benefits are authorized (or would have been paid, for a case subject to the $23 minimum grant requirement), or the original application date, whichever is later.

 

References: 7 CFR 273.10(e)(2)(ii)(C); 7 USC 2014; 7 USC 2017