IM-140 November 22, 2022; IM-27 March 19, 2004
Any responsible household member may designate, in writing, an authorized representative to act on behalf of the household. The authorized representative may be designated to make application, access benefits, or both.
An authorized representative must be the following:
- an adult
- sufficiently aware of the household’s situation
- not part of the household.
The authorized representative is recorded in the eligibility system.
The following individuals cannot serve as authorized representative unless no other representative is available:
- state agency employees who are involved in the eligibility determination or issuance process
- employees of authorized food provider or meal services that are authorized to accept food stamp benefits, unless the provider is a drug and alcohol treatment center (see 1135.005.15 Residents of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers) or a group living arrangement (see 1135.005.25 Group Living Arrangement)
- individuals disqualified for fraud (see 1145.000.00 Disqualification for Intentional Program Violation)
The authorized representative must be advised of the need to report required changes on behalf of the household according to the change reporting requirements to which the household is subject. The authorized representative may be liable for any overpayment to the household caused by the authorized representative. The household must be advised they may be liable for any overpayment caused by the authorized representative.