A new application (paper or electronic) is not required if SNAP benefits close and the household reapplies within 30 days of the closing, regardless of the reason for closing.
7CFR 273.14
The household may reapply by:
Requesting the benefits be reopened,
Asking for a new application, and/or
Submitting verification or documents
When a household reapplies within 30 days of benefits closure, the CAO must:
Reopen the case without requiring a new application
Process continued eligibility using the verification, documents, and information that was in the case record on the date benefits were closed plus any verification, document, or information the household submitted after benefits were closed.
If the household is eligible, the CAO must open benefits effective either:
The date all eligibility factors are verified, or
The date of benefits closure if the closure was due to administrative error.
Administrative error includes, but is not limited to:
The CAO did not offer the household help to complete an incomplete application or renewal or to obtain required verification,
The CAO did not provide the household with written notice of the required verification needed to complete an application or renewal or verify continued eligibility,
The CAO did not provide the household with at least 10 days from the date of the notice of required verification to provide the verification,
The CAO did not give the household a notice of missed interview (NOMI) if a required interview was missed,
The CAO did not call the household to complete the phone interview, was not available when the household called the CAO to conduct a phone interview during the scheduled interview time, or did not respond to the household's request to reschedule an interview,
The CAO did not timely process an application, renewal application, or documentation the household submitted.
Reopening the case is a continuation of eligibility and not an application. An application interview is not required.
The CAO may have the household complete a new application when it would expedite benefit delivery.
Example: Getting a new application may benefit the household if there are delays in locating or transferring previously completed documents from district to district or from county to county.
NOTE: The household may file an appeal as well as having a case reopened. Filing an appeal does not preclude reopening a case. Reopening a case does not preclude an appeal.
If SNAP is closed before the end of their certification period a new application (paper or electronic) is not required, the CAO must register a non-application in eCIS when the person asks for SNAP to be opened, asks for a new application, and/or submits required verification.
If SNAP is closed and the household submits a new application form, this will be treated as a new application so a review for expedited service is required. An application must be registered in eCIS.
NOTE: If the person provides some but not all of the pending information, the CAO should work with the person in an effort to get the required information.
Issued September 22, 2015, replacing April 27, 2015