COVID-19 Waiver Extension to the SNAP Interview Expired June 30, 2020

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07/13/2020

Policy Memo

Summary

  • SNAP households who file an initial SNAP application, including expedited on 07/01/2020 and after must be interviewed and have their eligibility determined 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 06/30/2020.
  • 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 June 30, 2020. FNS is not extending the waiver to the interview beyond 06/30/2020.
  • For SNAP applications received during the extension period of March 01, 2020 through June 30, 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, COVID-19 Adjustment to the SNAP Interview Extended through June 2020, dated 06/26/2020.
  • Apply regular SNAP policy to initial applications filed on 07/01/2020 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 June 30, 2020 when all mandatory verifications were provided to process the application. FNS is not extending approval of the waiver to the interview requirement beyond 06/30/2020.

Pending SNAP Applications Received During Extension

For initial SNAP applications received during the extension period of March 01, 2020 through June 30, 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, COVID-19 Adjustment to the SNAP Interview Extended through June 2020, dated 06/26/2020.

SNAP Applications Received 07/01/2020 and After

SNAP households who file an application on 07/01/2020, must have interview 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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