Waiver Ends: Flexibility on Time-Frames for Fair Hearings for SNAP Due to COVID-19 Ends 12/31/2021

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Information Memorandum

01/12/2022

Summary

  • This information memorandum updates Flexibility on Time-Frames for Fair Hearings for SNAP Due to COVID-19 Extended after November 2020 Until Further Notice, published on 12/03/2020 and ends the waiver extension effective 12/31/2021.
  • Currently, the waiver extension allows flexibility in meeting the fair hearings process up to 120 days from the required standard 60 day time-frame. However, beginning 01/01/2022, the time-frame will resume to the standard 60 days.
  • Effective 01/01/2022, the time-frame for sending oral withdrawal requests will resume to the standard 10 days from the receipt of request.
  • The information in this memorandum continues to apply only to the appeals process under the Bureau of Hearings (BOH) and has no impact at the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) level.

This information memorandum is to inform staff the waiver that previously extended flexibilities for BOH Fair Hearings for SNAP due to COVID 19 ends 12/31/2021 and will resume standard processing procedures effective 01/01/2022.

Flexibility on Time-Frame for Fair Hearings Ends 12/31/2021

In March 2020, Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) requested flexibility of the time-frame for a fair hearing from the standard 60 day time-frame to an extended 120 day time-frame. Food and Nutrition Service approved the time-frame extension and approved subsequent extensions during the Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19. Approval of the waiver extension is set to end 12/31/2021. Effective 01/01/2022, the standard time-frame for meeting the fair hearings process will resume to 60-days.

Flexibility on Time-Frame for Requests Received for Withdrawals Ends 12/31/2021

  • When BOH receives an oral SNAP withdrawal, a notice is sent to the customer to confirm their withdrawal.
  • Under Waiver approval and extensions given, the time-frame had been extended to 30 days for receipt of request.
  • Effective 12/31/2021, the extension for waiver approval will end and the standard time-frame for sending notices confirming oral withdraw requests will resume to 10 days from receipt effective, 01/01/2022.

Note: The information in this memorandum continues to apply only to the appeals process under BOH and has no impact at the FCRC level.

[signed copy on file]

Grace B. Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services