MR #14.13: FCRC Link Card Issuance - Separation of Duties

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06/03/2014

Summary:

  • Due to a review finding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), procedures for issuing the Link Card in the FCRC are revised.
  • Federal regulations require responsibility for issuing the Link card be divided between at least two persons to prevent any one worker from having complete control over authorizing SNAP benefits and issuing the Link card for accessing those benefits.
  • When the same worker must handle both functions due to lack of staff availability, then regulations require a second-party review.
  • Adds policy that the same person cannot be responsible for authorizing the benefits on a case and issuing the Link card.
  • In the rare event that this must occur due to the lack of staff availability and prior to issuing the card, the worker must request and be given written approval from a supervisor, local, or regional administrator who will verify correct procedures have been followed.  The written approval may be via email.

Due to a review finding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), procedures for issuing the Link Card in the FCRC are revised. Federal regulations require responsibility for issuing the Link card be divided between at least two persons to prevent any one worker from having complete control over authorizing SNAP benefits and issuing the Link card for accessing those benefits.

Link Card Issuance

The same person cannot be responsible for authorizing the benefits on a case and issuing the Link card. In the rare event that this must occur due to the lack of staff availability, the worker must request and be given written approval from a supervisor, local, or regional administrator who will verify correct procedures have been followed prior to issuing the card. The written approval may be via email.

Manual Revisions

PM 22-01-01-b
WAG 22-01-01-b

[signed copy on file]

Michelle R. B. Saddler

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services