PFS17947506 Processing Expedited SNAP for ABAWD's March 30, 2016
The expedited criteria in Section 506.3 apply only at the initial determination of eligibility for expedited service. Eligible households applying for initial benefits after the 15th of the month that are entitled to expedited processing must receive a combined allotment consisting of prorated benefits for the initial month and full benefits for the second month.
Households applying after the 15th of the month are entitled to expedited benefits for the second month, even if the initial 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:
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.
Explain that benefits will be issued electronically through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) and that the recipient must go to the CAO to get the PA EBT card and choose a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Determine eligibility and, if the household is eligible, authorize benefits.
Make sure the date the application was received is entered in eCIS. Override the system date if it is not the actual date of application.
Authorize the first expedited benefit using the regular opening process with an One Time Issuance (OTI) if all verification is provided or using the Noncontinuous Eligibility (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 5-day expedited service time limit and is eligible, the CAO must process a regular opening with a centrally issued OTI for the first month.
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 5 -day time limit and is eligible, the CAO must process a regular opening with a centrally issued OTI for the first and second months.
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.
Updated March 12, 2026 Replacing April 14, 2016