08/05/2020
Policy Memo
Summary:
- Effective 07/01/2020, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) approved a waiver that provides current access to SNAP benefits once they have been released from the Logan Correctional Center.
- This is a pilot project intended for individuals being released from the Logan Correctional Center.
- The waiver allows the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to accept SNAP applications submitted by inmates from the Logan Correctional Center within 5-10 days prior to their release date and define the application date as the date the individual is released from the facility.
- When IDHS receives the application from the facility, the caseworker may conduct an interview with the inmate by telephone.
- If the individual is eligible, the application will be held by the FCRC until the inmate has been released.
- This policy does not apply to individuals being released and added to an existing SNAP household.
Introduction
Effective 07/01/2020, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) approved a waiver for a Pilot project program with Logan Correctional Center to allow inmates with an impending release date to apply for SNAP benefits. These individuals will have a pending release date within 5-10 days.
SNAP Application
Effective 07/01/2020, individual inmates may apply for SNAP benefits 5-10 days prior to their discharge date from Logan Correctional Center. Corrections staff may assist the individual with the application process via ABE, mail-in, or Fax. The HSC will attempt the interview with the individual via telephone. The application must be screened for expedited benefits. Once the interview has been completed, the application will be held until the individual is discharged and the application will be processed. The HSC processing the SNAP benefits may use the release date as the SNAP application date. This SNAP application process is not intended for individuals that will be released and added to another existing active SNAP household. The waiver allows inmates with an impending release date to have access to SNAP benefits during a vulnerable time where they might not have the food resources available when they are released.
IES Application Procedure:
An application can be received from the correctional center via ABE, mail-in, and fax 5-10 days prior to the inmate's release date. The applications must be registered, and the FCRC must conduct the interview. The HSC will then initiate data collection, run eligibility, however, the case cannot be certified until the actual release date for the individual. If the individual is eligible, Form 360C Notice of Decision, will be mailed to the customer at the address provided at the time of application. If they do not have an address on the application, the address of the FCRC may be used. Do not process a new application for an individual that has been added to an existing SNAP Household as a member add. If the individual does not have identification upon release, a copy of the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) release papers should be accepted and uploaded to the ECR in IES.
FCRC Actions to Take:
Process When Person in Logan Correctional Center is Applying for Medical and SNAP
- Logan Correctional Center submits the application to FCRC via ABE, fax, or in person for applicant within 5-10 days of discharge.
- Application Registration
- HSC determines if applicant will be discharged 5-10 days of receipt of application.
- HSC schedules/conducts interview, and updates information, as necessary.
- Initiate Data Collection, Run eligibility, do not certify.
- HSC navigates to " Individual Information", "Program Request Summary"-"Program Request Details".
- Withdraw SNAP request using "application withdrawn" and suppress the notice.
- Run eligibility and Certify Medical EDG only.
- On customers discharge date, Initiate Data Collection-"Continue Previous Action".
- Navigate to "Individual Information", "Program Request".
- Add SNAP with the customers discharge date as the "date of application".
- Run Eligibility and Certify.
Process When Person in Logan Correctional Center is Applying for SNAP only
- Logan Correctional Center submits the application to FCRC via ABE, fax, or in person for applicant within 5-10 days of discharge.
- Application Registration.
- HSC determines if applicant will be discharged 5-10 days of receipt of application.
- HSC schedules/conducts interview.
- Initiate Data Collection, Run eligibility, do not certify before discharge date.
- On discharge date, navigate to "Individual Information"-"Program Request Summary"-"Program Request Details"
- Change SNAP Application Date to the date of discharge.
- Run Eligibility and Certify.
- If discharge date is not within 5-10 days of receipt of application, update Living Arrangement/Domicile-Details to reflect "State Department Corrections" and complete Living Arrangement Details accordingly to information regarding the customer and the correct discharge date.
- Run eligibility and certify to deny the SNAP.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms Reference:
