Action to Take on SNAP Applications Filed On or After January 16, 2021 for Students of Higher Education

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04/07/2021

Action Memo

Summary

This action memorandum is a follow-up to MR #21.07, COVID 19 - New Temporary Student of Higher Education Exemptions January 2021 through June 2021, dated 03/01/2021. This memorandum provides guidance on processing initial applications and redeterminations (REDEs) filed by students of higher education on/or after January 16, 2021 and for SNAP households who report a change after the January 16, 2021 effective date (during their certification period) that would add a potentially eligible member to the household that meets the new exemption criteria.


This memorandum provides guidance to the FCRCs for the action to take on initial applications and redeterminations (REDEs) filed by students of higher education on/or after January 16, 2021 and for SNAP households who report a change after the January 16, 2021 effective date (during their certification period) that would add a potentially eligible member to the household that meets the new exemption criteria. See MR #21.07, COVID 19 - New Temporary Student of Higher Education Exemptions January 2021 through June 021, dated 03/01/2021 which implemented this change.

Action to Take:

Initial SNAP Application/REDE filed January 16, 2021 and After - Denied

  • If a student of higher education whose SNAP initial application or REDE filed on January 16, 2021 or after is denied because they did not meet an existing student exemption, contacts the FCRC and states that they met a temporary exemption at the time of application, subsequently contacts the FCRC and states that they met a temporary exemption at the time of application, then reopen the case from the date of application. Determine if the student meets all other eligibility requirements to receive SNAP. Verification for the exemption is not needed, unless the student's statement is questionable.
  • A new application is required for applications and REDEs filed prior to January 16, 2021 and the student was determined ineligible.

Reopening a Denied Application

Follow the instructions below to reopen a denied application:

  1. Enter Case Change mode;
  2. Navigate to Program Request page;
  3. Click the Pencil/Edit icon for the SNAP EDG;
  4. In the Programs section, select 'Reopen a Denied Application' for the question "Is there a reinstatement, reapplication or is there a denied program that needs to be reopened?"
  5. In the Reinstate Program - Complete this section to Reinstate Denied/Terminated Programs - enter the date of application as the Reinstatement Date, select the Reinstatement Reason as 'Complied with Program Request' and enter the Reinstatement Compliance Date as the date of interview;
  6. Navigate to the Education - Summary screen and make a change to the record which caused the denial.

Reported Change of an Individual Meeting New Exemption

If a SNAP household reports an individual who was determined to be an ineligible student but now meets a temporary exemption as of the January 16, 2021 effective date or later, add the individual for the month of the reported change, if all other eligibility requirements are met. Verification is not needed, unless the statement is questionable.

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Form Referenced