The expedited criteria in Section 506.3 apply only at the initial determination of eligibility for expedited service. Eligible households applying after the 15th are entitled to expedited processing for the second month.
7 CFR § 273.2(i)(4)(iii)(C)
Entitlement to expedited processing for households applying after the 15th continues in the second month, even if the first benefit is prorated to zero.
Regardless of the application date, the length of the certification period, or the existence of postponed verification, the CAO must do the following:
7 CFR § 273.2(i)(2)
Complete a system inquiry to determine if any household members are active recipients or are disqualified.
Determine if there are postponed verifications from a previous expedited benefit.
Explain to the applicant that expedited service is available.
7 CFR § 273.2(i)(3)(i)
Explain that benefits will be issued electronically through EBT and that the recipient must go to the CAO to get the PA EBT ACCESS card and choose a PIN.
Determine eligibility and, if the household is eligible, authorize benefits.
Authorize the first expedited benefit using the regular opening process with an OTI if all verification is provided or using the NCE process if verification is postponed.
Explain in the case notes any processing delay.
If the household provides all verification when applying or within the five-day expedited service time limit and is eligible, the CAO must process a regular opening with a centrally issued OTI for the first month.
7 CFR § 273.2(i)(4)(iii)
If there is postponed verification, the CAO must process a centrally issued NCE for the first month.
When the household provides all required postponed verifications, the CAO must:
Determine eligibility for continued benefits; and
Process a regular opening for the second month, if the household is eligible.
If the household provides all required verification within the five-day time limit and is eligible, the CAO must process a regular opening with a centrally issued OTI for the first and second months.
7 CFR § 273.2(i)(4)(iii)
If verification is postponed, the CAO must process a locally issued NCE for the first and second months.
When the household provides all required postponed verifications, the CAO must:
Determine eligibility for continued benefits; and
Process a regular opening for the third month, if the household is eligible.
This opening cannot be processed until after the deadline for the second month of the NCE period has passed.
Reissued March 1, 2012, replacing September 2, 2005