A client may appeal the requirement to participate in SAR. The client must request the appeal within 30 days from the Due Date on the SAR form or L/IN. If the CAO receives the appeal within 10 days of the Due Date, benefits continue or are reopened at the current level without the SAR requirement, until the hearing decision.
If the CAO receives the appeal after the 10th day, benefits are issued according to information provided on the SAR form or L/IN, if the client completes one. If the client chooses not to complete a SAR form or L/IN, benefits are not continued.
A client may also appeal any decision on eligibility. See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 870.
The CAO must process appeals according to the provisions in Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 870. The CAO must promptly process appeals regarding the SAR participation requirement that are made on the SAR form within 30 days from the Due Date.
The CAO must continue or open benefits, if necessary, at the current level pending the hearing decision, if the appeal is received within 10 days from the SAR form Due Date.
NOTE: SNAP benefits the client receives do not continue unless the SAR form is completed.
The CAO must not continue benefits if the appeal is received 10 or more days after the SAR form Due Date.
The CAO must determine eligibility based on the information provided on the SAR form if the client later submits a complete SAR form by the L/IN Extended Due Date. The CAO must notify the client with a Confirming Notice if information provided on the SAR form causes any changes or terminations.
The CAO must promptly process appeals made on the L/IN according to the provisions of Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 870, as follows:
Reinstate a suspended budget at the current level pending the hearing decision if the appeal is received within 10 days of the L/IN Mailing Date.
NOTE: SNAP benefits the client receives do not continue unless the SAR form is completed.
Determine eligibility based on the information provided on a completed L/IN, if the L/IN is received within 10 days from the L/IN Mailing Date. The CAO must reinstate benefits if the client is eligible. The CAO must notify the client using a Confirming Notice if the information provided causes termination or a change in benefit amount.
If the CAO receives an incomplete L/IN later than 10 days from the L/IN Mailing Date, send a Confirming Notice. List the missing information. Tell the client that benefits are terminated for failure to provide the information.
Close the budget if the appeal is received after the Extended Due Date but within 30 days from the date of the L/IN.
Reissued September 27, 2005, replacing February 11, 2005; Reviewed January 31, 2012