IM-#140 November 30, 2005, IM-#94 July 29, 2002
An Intentional Program Violation (IPV) exists whenever an EU member(s) intentionally:
- makes a false or misleading statement, misrepresents, conceals, or withholds facts; or
- commits any act constituting a violation of the Food Stamp Act, the Food Stamp Program Regulations, or any State statute relating to the use, presentation, transfer, acquisition, receipt, or possession of food stamp benefits.
The State is responsible for investigating any case of alleged IPV and ensuring that appropriate cases are acted upon either through administrative disqualification hearings or referral to a court of appropriate jurisdiction. The agency delegates the responsibility for investigation of an alleged IPV to the Department of Social Services, Division of Legal Services, Welfare Investigation Unit (WIU).
This manual section contains policy and procedures for the following:
- referral for investigation;
- disqualification process;
- disqualification penalties;
- procedures to impose the disqualification penalty;
- changing the disqualification;
- expiration of the disqualification period;
- criminal or civil court decisions;
- disqualification from other states;
- retention of disqualification records;
- special procedures; and
- investigation/disqualification forms.