506.2 CAO Responsibilities at Application
The County Assitance Office ( CAO) must treat every application as if the household is entitled to expedited service .
The CAO must do the following:
Make sure receptionists, caseworkers, and supervisors are aware of policy and procedures for expedited services.
Make sure CAO staff that have contact with potential Supplemental Nutrition Assitance Program (SNAP) households are trained to give correct information on how to apply.
Give all applicants the right to apply or be screened for expedited service.
Encourage people who contact the CAO about SNAP benefits to apply on that day.
Accept and date-stamp upon receipt any application for benefits that has the name, address, and signature of the applicant.
NOTE: SNAP applications received with or without an e-signature or initials by the community partners listed in SNAP Handbook 503 Appendix C are considered an identifiable application and they must be reviewed for expedited SNAP and ongoing SNAP.
NOTE: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services (COMPASS) Community Partners listing by Agency which is found in the CAO resources does not apply to this clarification. Those partners on that list may submit SNAP applications but would be required to still submit a signature page or e-sign the COMPASS
Accept and review each application for expedited service on the day the application is filed, even if there is not enough staffing or the office recieves a large number of applications.
Conduct the application interview for individuals who submit their application in person at the office or ensure that they have provided a phone number where they can be reached that day so they can be contacted for an interview.
For applications that are received through the mail, dropped off at the office or received via COMPASS, the CAO will attempt to contact the household on the day the application is received to conduct an interview.
NOTE: The CAO must interview the applicant prior to issuing expedited SNAP benefits
Frontload the application to the “SNAP Budget Authorization” screen.
NOTE: If the application is received at the end of the day or there are system issues and frontloading is not possible, complete a scratchpad and narrate the results of the review. Frontloading the application should be completed at the beginning of the next business day.
Process all applications for households eligible for expedited service so that benefits begin within 5 calendar days from the application filing date . Authorize expedited benefits no later than day 4 so benefits are available in the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) system by day 5.
Put up posters in the reception area explaining expedited service.
Have copies of PUB 52.1 , SNAP Benefits NOW in the reception area.
Updated March 12, 2026, replacing January 16, 2014