WAG 02-04-04: When Is It an Application?

PM 02-04-04

  • revised manual text Applications for all benefits require a face-to-face interview as part of the application process except for:
    • medical programs, and
    • elderly and/or disabled SNAP households at redetermination (REDE) who are in the EDSRP demonstration project,
  •  revised manual textThe face-to-face interview is not conducted before the application is filed.
  • revised manual textAccept a faxed application form if it meets the requirements to be a valid application and is legible. If a faxed application has a name, address, and a signature, but the information is illegible, do not register the application. Fax the application back to fax number on the cover sheet (if there is no cover sheet, use the fax number at the top of the application) with a comment that the information was illegible.

new manual textNote: Long term care Nursing Facility (NF) and Supported Living Program (SLP) facility providers must use ABE to submit their applications. If a paper application is submitted by the facility, return it with a request to resubmit through the ABE portal. See WAG 02-05-03.

  • revised manual textIf the paper Application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (IL444-0683) is received with a name, address, and signature, register the application for SNAP.
  • revised manual textRequest for Cash Assistance - Medical Assistance - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (IL444-2378B) must be accepted as a valid application to register if:
    • The customer submits a version that does not have the updated (Yes) or (No) option; and/or
    • It only contains a name, address and signature and other sections are incomplete. If received with just a name, address and signature, the application is registered for Cash, Medical, and SNAP (see PM 02-04-04 , WAG 02-04-04); or
    • The customer submits and only checks one box. For example, SNAP is checked but the box for Medical and Cash are not checked the application is registered for all programs; or
    • If medical is the only program selection, the application is registered for medical benefits only. This includes applications marked with a (Yes) or (No) response to a program request to indicate whether a person is applying for the benefit. This may be a hospital application, an application for long-term care, a short spenddown application, or a QMB or SLIB application or an MSP application. If additional information is needed, send a Verification Checklist (IL444-0267) to the customer requesting the information needed to process the medical only application. If the customer does not respond or there is an inadequate response, the application is denied; or 
    • It is submitted without a program choice, but other sections are completed and there is a name, address and signature, register the application for all programs.
    • If submitted without a (Yes) or (No) indicated for a program, confirm the customer's request for benefits at the interview and take the appropriate action to determine if all requested programs have been registered and all individuals requesting the programs have been added to the request. Other program requests may be added, if necessary. The customer's decision on benefit choices, including the decision to decline a benefit, even if eligible and all case actions taken by the FCRC are required to be documented.
  •  revised manual textIf the Medical, Cash and SNAP Redetermination Notice (IL444-1893) is received with a name, address and signature, register the redetermination application for Medical, Cash, and/or SNAP based on whichever program is due for a REDE.
  • revised manual textAn application submitted with only a name, address and signature must still be completed by the customer before it can be processed. See PM 19-03-03 SNAP REDE Process.