Extension of the SNAP Interview Adjustment for Applications filed in July 2020 and August 2020

08/05/2020

Policy Memo

Summary

• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has granted another extension of the Illinois Department of Human Service's (IDHS) waiver request to adjust the requirement for a SNAP household to have an interview prior to the issuance of SNAP benefits for initial applications, including expedited applications, filed in the month of July 2020 and in the month of August 2020.
• FNS' initial waiver approval authorized under Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) allowed IDHS to adjust the interview requirement from March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 and a subsequent waiver approval through June 30, 2020.
• Under the waiver, an interview is not required for expedited and non-expedited SNAP households whose identity is verified and all mandatory verifications needed to establish eligibility are provided.
• A SNAP household whose identity cannot be verified, or mandatory verifications have not been provided, or information is questionable does not qualify for the adjustment and must have an interview.

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• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) has approved an extension of the Illinois Department of Human Services' (IDHS) waiver request to allow SNAP benefits to be issued prior to having an interview for initial applications, including expedited applications filed in the month of July 2020 and in the month of August 2020 when the SNAP household has verified identity and provide all mandatory verifications to establish their eligibility.
• FNS' initial waiver approval authorized under Section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127), allowed IDHS to adjust the interview requirement from March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020 and a subsequent waiver approval through June 30, 2020. An interview may now be waived for initial applications, including expedited applications filed in the month of July 2020 and in the month of August 2020.
• A SNAP household whose identity cannot be verified, or mandatory verifications have not been provided, or information is questionable is required to have an interview. 

Rights and Responsibilities and Copies of the Application

Each FCRC has established a procedure to retrieve mail, print documents and other information from the FCRC. Copies of the Rights and Responsibilities and a copy of the application (if a copy is requested) should be mailed to the customer. For FCRCs that remain closed, these documents can be printed in the FCRC and the designated person will pick up the documents from the FCRC for mailing.

Case Comments

The HSC must do a Case Comment entry. Case comments should include an adequate description of the household's circumstances and any adjustments or exceptions made to the eligibility determination and case processing due to COVID-19, including any customer and advocate complaints. Case Comments should also include that the rights and responsibilities, and a copy of the application, if requested has been mailed to the customer.

Desk Aid

Provides a desk aid for the COVID -19 adjustment to the SNAP interview process.

QUESTION	ANSWER
When is a SNAP interview NOT required for expedited service?	At initial application when an applicant qualifies for expedited service PM 02-08-01 and: Identity is verified; and all mandatory verifications, such as residence, income, including self-employment income, citizenship have been provided with the application to determine eligibility. If all eligibility factors are verified to determine eligibility for SNAP, issue expedited benefits, run eligibility and certify ongoing benefits.
When should the applicant who qualifies for expedited service be contacted for an interview?	When the applicant qualifies for expedited service but: Identity is not verified; and/or other verifications have not been verified to determine eligibility; or the information is questionable. Whenever possible use electronic sources, such as SOLQ. Attempt to call the applicant to conduct an interview and obtain verifications. If the interview is held and identity can be verified, but other verifications are postponed, issue benefits within the expedited timeframes. Issue benefits for: 1 month, if the applicant applies on or before the 15th of the month; or 2 months, if the applicant applies after the 15th of the month. Do not delay issuing benefits just because all other verification has not been provided at the time of the interview.
VERIFICATIONS
What is meant by mandatory verifications other than identity?	Any verifications needed to establish eligibility for the case such as residence, income, including self-employment, citizenship.
If a 267 VCL is needed for any verification, like income, residency, questionable data should the worker (once this is discovered) stop data collection and try and reach the customer for an interview?	Yes, if the applicant can't be reached by phone, an interview should be scheduled.
If an interview is required, and the applicant only returns verifications instead of complying with the interview requirement, is the application denied?	Yes, if the applicant is required to have an interview, then they must comply with the requirement. The application is denied for missed interview on the 30th day.
NON-EXPEDITED
When is a SNAP interview NOT required for non-expedited households?	When the applicant's: identity is verified; and all other mandatory verifications, such as residence, income, including self-employment, citizenship have been provided with the application to determine eligibility. If all eligibility factors are verified to determine ongoing eligibility for SNAP, approve benefits. Run eligibility and certify ongoing benefits.
When should a non-expedited applicant be contacted for an interview?	Conduct an interview when: identity cannot be verified; and/or mandatory verifications have not been provided to determine eligibility; or
What if the applicant who is required to have an interview only returns verifications and does not respond to the interview request?	If the applicant only returns verifications but does not respond to having the interview, the application is denied on the 30th day. If the interview is held and the applicant qualifies for expedited services, begin expedited processing timeframes. See PM 02-08-02-a, PM 02-08-02-b.
An application submitted 03/01/2020 or later was denied for missed interview, should it be reopened when or if discovered or questioned by the customer?	No, if the application was denied on the 30th day and the applicant did not comply with the interview requirement, a new application is needed.

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Forms Referenced: