The household completes the application process when it does all of the following:
7 CFR § 273.14(d)
Files a timely renewal form
Attends and completes an interview
Submits requested verification within 30 days from the request date
7 CFR § 273.14(e)
The CAO must process a timely application for renewal and provide uninterrupted benefits to any household found eligible. (See Section 576.31.)
To be considered timely:
7 CFR § 273.14(c)
A semiannual review (SAR) household must submit a renewal form on or before the due date for the last month of certification.
7 CFR § 273.14(c)(1)
Example: A household's certification period ends June 6 in issuance cycle 7. The household must submit a renewal form before the SAR form due date of June 16.
A SAR household must submit a renewal form by the 15th day of the last month of certification.
Example: A household's certification period ends June 6 in issuance cycle 7. The household must submit a renewal form by June 15.
A SAR household certified for only one month must submit a renewal form within 15 days from the receipt of the PA 10-SP.
Example: A household certified for one month from March 7 to March 31 receives the PA 10-SP on March 5. It must submit a renewal form by March 20.
A non-SAR household certified for two months must submit a renewal form by the 15th day of the second month if the case was certified in the first month.
Example: A household is certified on April 8 for two months, April and May. It receives the PA 10-SP on April 8. The household must submit a renewal form by May 15.
If the case was certified in the second month, a non-SAR household certified for two months must submit a renewal form within 15 days from the date the PA 10-SP is received.
Example: A household is certified for two months, April and May, but the certification process is not completed until May 3. The household receives the PA 10-SP on May 3. It must submit a renewal form by May 18.
The CAO must allow the household 30 calendar days to submit required verification. The CAO must begin the 30-day count with the day after the initial request for verification.
7 CFR § 273.14(c)(3)
The CAO must provide uninterrupted benefits to households that file timely and provide verification within 30 days. (See Section 576.31.)
The CAO must tell the household the verification requirements and record the request for verification in the case record.
Example: A household files a timely renewal form on March 14 and is interviewed on March 25. Additional verification is needed. The 30-day time frame is set to end April 24. The household provides the required verification on March 29. The household is entitled to uninterrupted benefits.
If a household (a) has been certified for one month or (b) has been certified for two months and is in the second month of the certification period, and if the household completes the renewal process timely and is found eligible, the CAO must take the following actions:
7 CFR § 273.14(d)(1)
Authorize benefits so that SNAP benefits are received no later than 30 calendar days after the date the household received its last benefit.
Send a Notice of Eligibility telling the household the benefit amount and the certification period length.
Example: A household is certified for one month only and receives April's benefit and a PA 10-SP on April 2. The renewal form was received timely, the interview was held, verification was provided on April 15, and the household was found eligible. The household must receive a notice and its SNAP benefits before May 2.
For all other households that complete the renewal process timely and are found eligible, the CAO must take the following actions:
7 CFR § 273.14(d)(2)
Authorize benefits so that the household receives SNAP benefits by the normal issuance cycle in the month after the last month of its current certification period.
NOTE: If this time frame cannot be met within the period allowed for submitting verification, the CAO must authorize SNAP benefits so that they are received within five days from the date the household provided the needed verification. The CAO must not prorate benefits.
Send a notice of eligibility telling the household the benefit amount and the new certification period.
Example: A household's certification period ends in November. The renewal form was received timely, the interview was held, verification was provided, and the household was found eligible. The household must receive a notice before November 30. The household is entitled to uninterrupted benefits for December.
At the end of the renewal interview, offer the client the opportunity to register to vote. If the client wishes to register, provide a registration form and help the client complete the form if help is needed. (See Supplemental Handbook Chapter 980.)
42 U.S.C.A. § 1973gg-5(a)(2)(A)
OPS040503 PA 600AAB for the Food Stamp Program (Linked March 12, 2008)
Reissued March 1, 2012 , replacing June 6, 2008