Expedited Processing Standards 430-05-20-50-15

(Revised 01/01/04 ML2893)

View Archives

 

 

County application procedures must be designed to identify households eligible for expedited service at the time the household requests assistance.  The household cannot waive its right to expedited service.

 

If any of the following apply, the household is entitled to expedited services:

 

1. Households with less than $150 in countable gross monthly income when their assets do not exceed $100.
2. Migrant or seasonal workers who are destitute and countable liquid assets do not exceed $100.
3. Households who have combined countable gross monthly income and countable liquid assets that are less than the household’s monthly rent or mortgage and the appropriate mandatory utility standard.

If pre-screening identifies a household as not entitled to expedited service and it is later determined that the household is entitled to expedited services, the processing standard is calculated from the date of discovery that the household is entitled to expedited service.

 

Example:

An application is filed on May 5 and indicates that the household is not entitled to expedited service.   At the interview on May 12 it is discovered that the household has countable income of less than $150 and countable liquid assets, which do not exceed $100.  The application must be processed by May 17 so benefits are available to the household by the 7th day (May 18).

 

The Application for Assistance must be used to screen for expedited services. If the applicant is entitled to expedited services, verification of identity of the applicant must be obtained and the applicant must be issued an EBT card if they do not already have one.  The county must ensure that the EBT account is reactivated, if necessary.  If the applicant needs assistance in completing the application, the county must provide that assistance.

 

If the application is mailed in and the county has verification of identity on file, the county must attempt to contact the household to complete the screening process by phone.  If the household does not have a phone, the county must schedule the interview to ensure that the expedited time frames are met.

 

If the application is mailed in, the county does not have verification of identity on file, the county must attempt to contact the household to complete the screening process by phone.  If the household does not have a phone, the county must schedule the interview as soon as possible.

 

There is no limit to the number of times a household can be certified under expedited processing.

 

Exception:

Before a household is entitled to expedited services when verifications were postponed, the household must have completed the verification or have since been certified under 30-day processing standards.