The CAO will review each SAR form received for timeliness and completeness. The CAO will track each SAR form received by the SAR form due date as either complete or incomplete in the CFSAR system. Tracking can be completed until the last day to track the SAR form has passed.
If the household provides a complete SAR form or SAR L/IN, with the required verification, the CAO will adjust benefits for the next semiannual period and establish a new SAR period.
The CAO must review each SAR form to make sure the household reported the following changes for all members:
7 CFR § 273.12(a)
Who lives in the household
Child or dependent care costs
Child support paid for children outside of the household
Unearned income
Resources (for non Categorically eligible households) in excess of $2,000, or $3,000 for a household with at least one member age 60 or older or permanently disabled
Address and shelter/utility costs
The household must verify changes in::
Unreported or new gross earned income
Gross unearned income, only if there was a change in the amount received
Child or dependent care payments, if the household reports a change and it is questionable
Child support payments, if the reported amount has changed
Medical expenses, if the household reports a change in these expenses
Address and shelter or utility costs, if they have changed and are questionable
Any other changes the household reports that may affect eligibility or benefit level
NOTE: The SNAP case will not be closed if the household fails to report and verify medical expenses at application, SAR, during the SAR period or renewal. If medical expenses are not reported and verified, the household will not receive the deduction.
The SAR form is considered timely if the CAO receives the form on or before the extended due date.
When the household submits a complete SAR form by the last day to track it, benefits are issued on the regular SNAP issuance date. The SAR form is complete if all of the following requirements are met:
All questions except for #5 (only the shelter/utility part), #6, and #7 are answered completely.
NOTE: Failure to answer #5 (only the shelter/utility part), #6, or #7 or to give verification does not make the SAR form incomplete. For the household to receive these deductions, however, the questions must be answered, with verification. If the conditions are not met, the CAO must determine SNAP eligibility and benefit amount without considering the shelter or utility, child care, or child support deduction.
7 CFR § 273.12(a)(4)(i)
The form is signed by the payment name , an authorized representative (AR), or a responsible household member.
Acceptable verification is attached for the following:
Gross earned income
7 CFR § 273.12(c)
A questionable reported change in child care expenses or expenses for the care of a sick or disabled person that results in a deduction affecting the benefit amount
A change in gross unearned income
A change in the amount of support paid to someone outside of the household
Any change in residence and the resulting change in shelter/utility costs
NOTE: Verification of questionable shelter/utility costs is necessary. The CAO may need to contact a third party, such as the landlord, to request verification.
Resources which exceed 2,000 or 3,250 for non Categorically Eligible households.
Tracking of question #8 should be completed as follows:
For households that are CE, track question #8 as complete
For households that are not CE, track question #8 as incomplete if the resource or verification is not provided.
Benefits are suspended when a household fails to submit a completed SAR form. Good cause must be established within 30 days of the extended due date. The household may claim good cause verbally or in writing, on the SAR form, on the L/IN, or by letter.
NOTE: If benefits have been suspended or terminated for failure to submit a SAR form, the CAO will reinstate or reopen benefits when good cause is established, without the need for an application.
The CAO will evaluate the claim of good cause. Good cause includes, but is not limited to:
Circumstances beyond the control of the client that are not likely to recur, such as serious illness, death, accident, or mail delays caused by the postal service
NOTE: The CAO must review the validity of good-cause claims each time they occur during the six-month period.
Illiteracy, language problems, mental handicap, or any similar continuous circumstances
7 CFR § 273.21(c)(7)
NOTE: The CAO must provide special help in completing and filing the SAR form to a household granted good cause for this reason. The CAO may refer the household to a community resource, relative, friend, neighbor, or an agency for help completing the form. The CAO must record the referral in the case record. The validity of the claim is not reviewed again unless the community resource becomes unavailable.
The CAO will determine if good cause exists. A supervisory level review of the good cause determination must be made. The supervisor will:
Review the good-cause determination.
Support or deny the claim of good cause.
Return the case to the worker to take proper action.
Sign the authorization/instruction sheet (PW 764).
The case record will be returned to the worker to complete.
The decision will be recorded in the case record
If good cause does not exist, the CAO must send the household a Confirming Notice to close the case. The notice must state that good cause was not established.
Reissued March 1, 2012, replacing September 30, 2008