09/03/2020
Policy Memo
- The Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) staff must resume interviewing all SNAP households that file an initial SNAP application, including expedited on 09/01/2020 and after and determine the household's eligibility under regular SNAP policy. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) waiver approval that allowed the interview to be waived for initial SNAP applications when all verifications were provided expired August 31, 2020.
- Under the Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127), FNS granted waiver approval to allow an adjustment to requiring a SNAP household to be interviewed prior to the approval of benefits. The adjustment to the interview requirements was for initial applications, including expedited applications received during the extension period of March 01, 2020 through August 31, 2020. FNS is not extending the waiver to the interview beyond August 31, 2020.
- For SNAP applications received during the extension period of March 01, 2020 through August 31, 2020 that are still pending, continue to waive the interview, if all verifications have been provided to process the application. Conduct an interview, and request verifications, if all mandatory verifications have not been provided to process the application. See policy memo, Extension of the SNAP Interview Adjustment for Applications filed in July 2020 and August 2020, dated 08/05/20.
- Apply regular SNAP policy to initial applications filed on September 01, 2020 and after. All SNAP households, including expedited must have an interview. All interviews should be conducted by telephone to comply with the State's Declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food and Nutrition Service FNS) waiver approval under Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127), that allowed an adjustment to the requirement for SNAP households to be interviewed prior to the approval of benefits has expired. The waiver allowed the interview to be waived for initial applications, including expedite filed during the period of March 01, 2020 through August 31, 2020 when all mandatory verifications were provided to process the application. FNS is not extending approval of the waiver to the interview requirement beyond August 31, 2020.
Pending SNAP Applications Received During Extension
For initial SNAP applications received during the extension period of March 01, 2020 through August 31, 2020 that are still pending, the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) should continue to waive the interview, if all verifications have been provided to process the application. Conduct an interview, and request verifications, if all mandatory verifications have not been provided to process the application. See policy memo, Extension of the SNAP Interview Adjustment for Applications filed in July 2020 and August 2020, dated 08/05/20.
SNAP Applications Received 09/01/2020 and After
SNAP households who file an application on September 01, 2020, must be interviewed and have their eligibility determined under regular SNAP rules. If a customer requests a face-to-face interview, the FCRC should explain that in lieu of a face-to-face, the interview will be conducted by telephone. This is necessary to protect the health and safety of the customer and FCRC staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
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