Application 430-05-20-15

(Revised 10/01/15 ML 3457)

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IM 5323

 

 

An SFN 405 - Application for Assistance is considered incomplete if it contains only the applicant's name, address (residential or mailing) and signature of a responsible household member or authorized representative. The household must be advised that it does not have to be interviewed before filing the application and may file an incomplete application form. The incomplete application must be registered, the pending notice sent and the interview scheduled.    

If the household files an application without an address (residential or mailing), it is not an application. The county must file the application and note on the form that it is not considered an application.

If a household provides a residential address but does not provide a mailing address and the applicant is not able to get their mail at their residence, General Delivery must be used. The worker must explain to the household that they may not get information necessary to keep their case open. If mail is returned with an unknown address, the case, if otherwise eligible, would continue until review.

Section 1 of the SFN 405 – Application for Assistance can be filed and is used to screen applicants for expedited service. If the household files section 1, it must be registered as an application and an interview scheduled. The remainder of the application with signature on the last page, an interview and all mandatory verifications are required to process the application.

Exception:

For households entitled to expedited service, all mandatory verifications with the exception of identity must be postponed in order to meet the expedited processing standard.

The date of application is the date the county receives a signed SFN 405 – Application for Assistance. provided the application was submitted during normal county business hours. When an application is submitted after normal county business hours, on a weekend, or on a North Dakota Department of Human Service holiday, the application is considered received the next business day. The county must document the date an application is filed by recording the date it was received on the application. The processing timeframe begins the day following the date of application.

 

For residents of institutions who apply prior to release, the date of application is the date of the release.

 

If an applicant completes an application online at a county social service office, the county is not required to print a copy and provide it to the household unless the household requests a copy of the application.

 

The county must display signs indicating a household can request a paper copy of their online application near application kiosks.

 

An individual’s signature on the application attests to providing full information and to understanding the reporting requirements of the program.

 

If a household has a pending application and files a second application the application date of the first application is used along with any additional information reported and verified from the second application to determine eligibility. Documentation on the second application must clearly state there already is a pending application for SNAP.