IM-32 March 28, 2022; IM-01 January 15, 2019; IM-136 November 20, 2017; IM-131 October 10, 2017; IM-90 October 1, 2015; IM-62 October 18, 2011; IM-26 March 19, 2004; IM-219 December 17, 2001
An interview (see 1120.045.00 Interviews) must be completed for an application for recertification, unless the applicant meets all of the following criteria for an elderly and disabled waived interview:
- All of the adult household members are either elderly or disabled
- There is no earned income
- The household reports no change in circumstances
Use the Recertification Interview Decision Chart to determine when to waive an interview.
NOTE: Any applicant requesting an interview shall be granted an interview.
The interview may be by phone or in-person. The household must provide necessary verification to receive uninterrupted benefits.
- If there is outstanding verification on the Outstanding Verification screen in the eligibility system, generate the Request for Information form notifying the household what information must be provided. Ensure the Request for Information form clearly identifies the documentation that must be provided by adding text in the text box as needed. Give a copy of the form to the household. The household is allowed ten days from the date of the request for information to supply necessary verification. The Agency has the obligation to assist the household in obtaining verification when possible. The date the information is due is documented on the Outstanding Verification screen in the eligibility system.
- If verification is provided and entered in the eligibility system and the application controlled flow is complete prior to or by the last day of the current certification, the eligibility system approves the application if the household is eligible. If the application controlled flow is not complete, for a reason other than lack of interview, and all verification needed is provided, complete the controlled flow and authorize the action. This allows the household to participate within 30 days from its last issuance.
- If verification is not provided by the ten-day deadline, or the last day of the certification, whichever is later, the household loses its rights to uninterrupted benefits, as long as the verification was requested in a timely manner. The eligibility system rejects the application the night of the last day of the certification if the last day is a business day and the controlled flow was complete. If the last day is a weekend/holiday, the eligibility system rejects the application the night of the first business day following the end of the certification.
- If the household does not complete an interview (see 1120.045.00 Interviews), the eligibility system rejects the application the first business day following the last day of the certification unless the last day is a weekend or holiday. If the last day is a weekend or holiday, the application is rejected the second business day following the end of the certification. Refer to the Worker Initiated Rejection user guide for instructions.
- Do not cancel reject SNAP applications that have been rejected by the system because the household did not take a required action or rejected because the household did not complete an interview if the household takes the required action after the end of the certification period, but within 30 days after the end of the certification period. Use the date the household complied as the new date of application and process a new application for the household.
NOTE: A new application form is not required to be submitted by a household if the household takes the required action or completes the interview within 30 days after the end of the certification period.
Example: Mr. Cooper’s certification period ends December 31, 2021. He submitted a timely recertification on November 23, 2021, but was rejected on December 31, 2021 for not completing his interview. Mr. Cooper calls the customer service center to complete his interview on January 15, 2022. The customer service representative should register a new application with the January 15th date and process the application using the recertification application provided on November 23, 2021 as Mr. Cooper has called to complete his interview within 30 days of the end of his certification period.
Example: Mrs. Smith’s certification period ends October 31, 2021. She submitted a timely recertification on October 14, 2021. Her case rejected on October 31, 2021 for failure to provide requested verification. She submits the requested verification on December 2, 2021. She is required to submit a new application since she did not take action to comply within 30 days of her certification period ending.
Example: Mr. Baker’s certification period ends November 30, 2021. He submitted a late non-timely recertification application on December 02, 2021. Mr. Baker’s case rejected January 03, 2022 for failure to complete the required interview. Mr. Baker calls to complete his interview on January 05, 2021; however, he must be instructed to complete a new application before his interview can be completed as it has been more than 30 days since the end of his certification period.
Example: Mrs. Anderson’s certification period ends January 31, 2022. She submitted a non-timely recertification application on January 18, 2022. Her application rejects on February 17, 2022 for failure to return requested information. The requested information is received on March 04, 2022; however, a new application will need to be submitted as it has been more than 30 days since the end of her certification period.
SNAP applications should only be cancel rejected based on agency delay. Refer to the Cancel Rejecting a SNAP Application user guide for instructions.