COVID-19 Pandemic Response Update: A Signature is Required on all Cash, SNAP and Medical Applications

11/07/2022

Policy Memo

Summary

• This memo updates policy in, COVID-19 Pandemic Response - Updated Verification Requirements for Medical Applications and Active Cases, and clarifies the policy on Medical application signature requirements during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and also changes the signature requirement for Cash and/or SNAP applications. 
• This memo updates policy in, Changes to Application Processing for Cash Assistance due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated 04/18/2020.
• Audio recording of telephonic signature requirements has not been suspended for medical applications and medical redeterminations (REDEs). Telephonic signature requirements must be followed for an application or REDE which includes a medical request in addition to Cash and/or SNAP.
• To align with Medical, the suspension of the audio recording for a signature and the acceptance of verbal attestation for both initial applications and REDEs filed for Cash and/or SNAP benefits ends effective 11/01/22. Verbal attestation for a signature is no longer accepted from applicants who file SNAP applications over the telephone without an audio recording of the signature or who submit unsigned paper applications by mail for requests of Cash and/or SNAP.
• For initial and REDE applications for Cash and/or SNAP received prior to 11/01/22, and verbal attestation was accepted, process the application as indicated in policy memo, COVID-19 Suspension of Audio Recording for a Signature includes Redeterminations (REDEs), dated 03/03/2022.
• For initial and REDE applications received on or after 11/01/22, a signature is required whether submitted by paper, electronically submitted, or a telephonic signature for persons applying for benefits over the phone with the ABE Customer Call Center or Family Community Resource Center (FCRC).  Without a signature an application has not been filed.

Suspension of the Audio Recording for a Signature

• This memo clarifies the policy on Medical application signature requirements during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Audio recording of telephonic signature requirements has not been suspended for medical applications and medical redeterminations (REDEs). Telephonic signature requirements must be followed for an application or REDE which includes a medical request in addition to Cash and/or SNAP.
• To align with Medical, the suspension of the audio recording for a signature and the acceptance of verbal attestation for both initial applications and REDEs filed for Cash and/or SNAP benefits ends effective 11/01/22. A Cash and/or SNAP application that does not include the applicant's signature is no longer accepted as a valid application request for benefits.
• Effective 11/01/2022, the Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) and the ABE Customer Call Center should resume the process of obtaining a valid telephonic signature for all SNAP applications filed over the phone and for unsigned paper applications received by mail for requests of Cash and/or SNAP.
• The telephonic signature system must make an audio recording of the summary of information, Rights and Responsibilities, and the household's verbal consent. The telephonic signature system must be associated to the application so staff have access to the household's entire case file. Without a telephonic signature, an application has not been filed (PM 02-04-00).

Pending SNAP/Cash Applications

• For pending Cash and/or SNAP initial and REDE applications that were received prior to 11/02/22, and verbal attestation was accepted, process the application as indicated in policy memo, COVID-19 Suspension of Audio Recording for a Signature includes Redeterminations (REDEs), dated 03/03/2022 and policy memo, Changes to Application Processing for Cash Assistance due to COVID-19 Pandemic, dated 04/18/2020.

[Signed copy on file]

Grace B Hou

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services

Theresa Eagleson

Director, Healthcare and Family Services