1125.000.00 Expedited Service

1125.020.05 Initial Applications

IM-59 October 29, 2024; IM-57 May 30, 2017; IM-21 March 14, 2012; IM-70 December 9, 2011; IM-50 June 4, 2007; IM-27 March 19, 2004

A household that has been determined eligible for expedited service must be allowed to participate by the seventh calendar day following the date of application. Benefits must be available and the household must have received the EBT card by the seventh calendar day (including weekends and holidays).

Example: Mr. B applies for SNAP on Thursday, 5/6, completes interview and is eligible for expedited services. Mr. B must be allowed to participate by the next Thursday, 5/13, the seventh calendar day after the application date.

The system determines eligibility for expedited service as soon as income, resource, and shelter expense information is entered into the system and the interview is completed.  The system enters the date of discovery on the Action Authorization screen when the expedited decision is completed the same day as the date of application.

When the date of discovery differs from the date of application a message “Expedited Issuance – Check Discovery Date” appears on the Action Authorization screen to alert the eligibility specialists to check the discovery date. The system displays the message “Invalid Discovery Date” on the Action Authorization screen when no entry is made in the Date of Discovery field when the Eligibility Specialist tries to authorize the case. The Eligibility Specialist needs to enter the correct date of discovery and authorize the action.

The seventh day time frame for processing expedited services starts with the seventh day from the date of the application. The Date of Discovery is the actual date you discover the application is found to be an expedite. The Date of Discovery field must be reviewed to ensure the correct date is entered. Refer to the SNAP Expedited Service reference guide for assistance on ensuring the correct date of discovery is entered.

These time frames apply to all households qualified for expedited service including residents in shelters for battered women and children and residents in drug/alcohol treatment centers.