05/17/2023
Policy Memo
Summary
- Due to the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) on 05/11/2023, this policy memo informs Family Community Resource Centers (FCRCs) that the FNS waiver approval for Good Cause for failure to verify Social Security Numbers (SSNs) is set to expire on 06/30/2023.
- The waiver allowed an adjustment to the timeframes to claim good cause when applying for SSNs due to limited hours and services with the Social Security Administration during the PHE.
- Beginning 07/01/2023, Cash and SNAP applications submitted are required to comply with SSN policy, and FCRCs must continue to follow up with manual tasks that have been set allowing households 6 months to comply.
- Beginning 07/01/2023, failure to comply will result in ineligibility until a SSN is provided or proof of a pending SSN application is provided by the applicant.
- All policy memos regarding waiver approvals and waiver approval extensions for Good Cause for failure to verify social security number due to the COVID-19 PHE will be obsolete.
Due to the end of the COVID-19 PHE on 05/11/2023, this policy memo informs FCRCs that the FNS waiver approval for Good Cause for failure to verify Social Security Numbers (SSNs) will end 06/30/2023.
PHE Waiver Overview and Expiration for Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number
In March 2020, FNS had approved a waiver with subsequent extensions under the authorization of section 2302 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127) allowing adjustments to the timeframes for households unable to comply with providing a SSN during the COVID-19 PHE due to Social Security Administrative (SSA) office closures and limited services.
- This waiver allowed for actions taken on ongoing SNAP households and households with an initial SNAP applications and is set to expire on 06/30/2023.
- Beginning 07/01/2023, SNAP applications submitted are required to comply with SSN policy, and FCRCs must continue to follow up with manual tasks that have been set allowing households 6 months to comply.
- Except for SNAP households that qualify for expedited service, beginning 07/01/2023, all customers applying for SNAP and Cash benefits are required to meet SSN policy before they can be approved for assistance, unless they have good cause.
- Failure to comply with the SSN policy will result in the ineligibility of SNAP benefits until proof of SSN is provided or proof of SSN application pending is provided.
Obsolete Policy Memos
The following policy memos will be obsolete:
COVID-19 Timeframe to Claim Good Cause to Verifying Social Security Number Extended - Published 06/05/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended through July 2020 - Published 07/30/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended through August 2020 - Published 08/12/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended through September 2020 - Published 09/03/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended through October 2020 - Published 10/09/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended through November 2020 - Published 11/09/2020
Good Cause Given for Failure to Verify Social Security Number Extended After November 2020 Until Further Notice - 12/03/2020
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Forms Referenced
