(Revised 06/01/09 ML3182)
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To expedite the certification process, a worker must use the following procedures.
Interviews
For a household that is entitled to expedited service, the worker must interview the household within the expedited processing standard. If the household states they cannot stay or cannot return for the interview dates and times offered to meet the expedited processing standard or 7-day timeframe, this must be clearly documented in the casefile. The application must then be processed under the 30-day processing standards. If the household fails to keep the scheduled interview, the worker must send notice F018 – Notice of Missed Interview. This notice informs the household that they are responsible to schedule a second interview.
Identity
In all cases, the applicant’s or authorized representative’s identity must be verified through readily available documentary evidence or a collateral contact.
Verification of identity cannot be postponed.
If verification of identity of the applicant is not provided at the interview, the expedited processing standard starts with the date of receipt of identity. For expedited applications identity cannot be waived.
Example:
The county receives the application on May 10 and schedules an interview on May 11. Verification of identity was not provided. The household fails to show for this interview. The worker sends the F018 - Notice of Missed Interview to the household. On May 13 the household calls to set up an interview. Worker schedules an interview for May 14.
On May 14 the household comes in for the interview and provides the application and verification of identity. As verification of identity and interview requirements were met on May 14, the worker has through May 16 to process the application and issue an EBT card so benefits are available on May 17.
Verifications
All reasonable efforts must be made to verify within the expedited processing standards, the household's residency, income, alien status and all other factors, through readily available documentary evidence or a collateral contact. Benefits must not be delayed beyond the expedited processing standard because these eligibility factors have not been verified.
Postponed Verifications
Expedited households are the only households where the mandatory verifications can be postponed. All mandatory verifications including questionable information (i.e. income, deductible expenses, social security numbers, work requirements, citizenship, job quits, verification of participation in another state, etc.) must be postponed if unable to verify within expedited processing standard.
Exception:
The identity of the applicant or the authorized representative.
The worker must postpone the verification(s) which normally would be required, if necessary to meet the expedited processing standard .
A household reapplying must not be denied for failure to provide postponed verifications. However, they lose their entitlement to expedited service and are processed under 30-day processing standards.
If it is determined that benefits were issued incorrectly because verifications were postponed in order to meet the expedited processing standard, a claim is not established.
Exceptions:
- If the household failed to report information, a claim must be established.
- Agency errors.
Work Requirements
The worker must:
- Require the applicant to complete the SFN 385 - Affidavit for Work Requirements or SFN 353 - Affidavit for BEST Registrants unless exempt.
- Require the applicant to complete the SFN 385 - Affidavit for Work Requirements or SFN 353 - Affidavit for BEST Registrants for all non-exempt household members. Work requirements for non-exempt household members must be postponed, if necessary, to meet the expedited processing standard.
- Require an authorized representative interviewing on behalf of a household to complete the SFN 385 - Affidavit for Work Requirements or SFN 353 - Affidavit for BEST Registrants for all non-exempt household members.
- Postpone questionable exemptions if the expedited processing standard cannot be met.
Social Security Numbers (SSN)
Expedited households are the only households in which individuals are allowed to participate without a SSN or without proof of application for a SSN for one full month of benefits.
In all cases, expedited households must be asked to provide a SSN for each individual in the household.
Exception:
A newborn is allowed to participate without a SSN or proof of application of SSN for six months following the month the baby is born or by the next review, whichever is later.
Examples:
The following examples do not include newborns.
- A five person expedited household applies May 1. Two of the five household members do not have a SSN or proof that they have applied. All five individuals are entitled to participate for the full month of May (May 1 through May 31).
In this example, the household must be certified for the month of May only, and must reapply for June. If at the time of review the two individuals are unable to provide a SSN or proof of application for a SSN, they are ineligible household members (DI) when determining benefits for June or until the SSN is provided. June benefits would be for a three-person household.
- A five person expedited household applies May 2 (anytime after the first of the month). Two of the five household members do not have a SSN or proof that they have applied. All five individuals are entitled to participate for the partial month of May (May 2 through May 31), and the full month of June (June 1 through June 30).
In this example, the household must be certified for no more than the months of May and June and must reapply. If at the time of July review the two individuals are unable to provide a SSN or proof of application for a SSN, they are ineligible household members (DI) when determining benefits for July or until the SSN is provided. July benefits would be for a three-person household.
