Treatment of Households Receiving Puerto Rico's NAP Who Apply for SNAP

IDHS Logo

11/13/17

Policy Memo

SUMMARY

  • As a result of policy guidance from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), SNAP policy for evacuees from Puerto Rico affected by Hurricane Maria is being provided.
  • The policy in this memo applies to persons receiving benefits under Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) but because of Hurricanes Irma and Maria have been displaced to States or Territories that operate the SNAP.
  • NAP benefits cannot be used outside of Puerto Rico.
  • FNS is providing this policy to ensure that residents of Puerto Rico who were impacted by the hurricanes are able to receive timely nutrition assistance.
  • This policy only applies to households enrolled in NAP at the time Hurricane Irma and Maria struck.
  • Affected households will be asked to sign a statement (Form 2342/2342S) or attest orally (declare) that they will not participate in both NAP and SNAP and that they will take steps to close their NAP cases once the Puerto Rican NAP system is connected.
  • Enroll these households in SNAP under regular program eligibility rules, including expedited procedures as appropriate. 
  • Treat the displaced NAP household as a separate household from any non-displaced persons sheltering them, even if the household purchases and prepares meals with others.

SNAP BENEFITS - Casework Actions

For any SNAP application from households receiving Puerto Rico's Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) affected by Hurricane Irma and Maria that have been displaced to States or Territories that operate SNAP, FCRCs should follow the steps below.

Eligibility

Enroll these households in SNAP under regular program eligibility rules, including expedited procedures as appropriate. 

  • This policy does not waive any application processing or certification rules, but does permit households that receive NAP to apply for and receive SNAP prior to closing their NAP cases, as long as they attest orally or sign the affidavit (Form IL444-2342/2342S) stating that the applicant understands that no member of the households may receive benefits from both NAP and SNAP at the same time, and that the household will close its NAP case as soon as possible.
  • Once the applicant attests orally or signs Form 2342/2342s (Affidavit for SNAP Applicants Who Were Receiving Nutritional Assistance Program (NAP) in Puerto Rico When Displaced by Hurricane Maria), if eligible, these households may receive SNAP benefits.
  • Follow the same application procedures, issuance standards, and reporting requirements used for any other new SNAP application.
  • Treat the displaced NAP household as a separate household from any non-displaced persons sheltering them, even if the household purchases and prepares meals with others.
  • This policy only applies to individuals or households who were receiving NAP when they were displaced from Puerto Rico to States or Territories that operate SNAP.
  • Displaced individuals who were not receiving NAP do not need to attest orally or sign the affidavit and may apply for benefits under regular SNAP procedures.

[signed copy on file]

James T. Dimas

Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services