Programming is changed to support the extended processing time frame for timely recertification applications.  Programming changes are made to the Weekly Application Control Report and the Currency Report.  Changes to the Weekly Application Control Report are discussed later in this memorandum.  Changes to the Currency Report will be discussed in a later memorandum.

Timely food stamp recertification applications are due to have processing complete:

• by the end of the current certification period when the birth month of the head of the household is January, February, March, or April;
• by the 5th day of the month following the end of the certification period when the birth month of the head of the household is May,  June, or July;
• by the 10th day of the month following the end of the certification period when the birth month of the head of the household is August or September; and
• by the 15th day of the month following the end of the certification period when the birth month of the head of the household is October, November, or December.

Extending the time frames for processing timely recertification applications DOES NOT  change processing time frames for non-timely applications, initial applications, or applications screened eligible for expedited service.  Households making a timely recertification application and determined eligible for expedited benefits MUST  have benefits available on the FIRST DAY  of the new certification period.

REJECTION OF TIMELY FOOD STAMP REAPPLICATIONS

For all timely recertification applications, if a household fails to provide requested verification, reject the timely recertification application the first working day AFTER  the end of the current certification period.  The household must have at least 10 days to provide requested verification.  If the 10th day falls after the end of the current certification, do not reject the application until the 11th day or later.  If the 11th day is after the due date based on the birth month of head of household, a delay code must be entered in FSU5.

PROGRAMMING CHANGES AND CHANGES TO REPORTS

The Weekly Application Control Report and the Currency Report reflect changes in programming for staggered timely food stamp recertification processing time frames.

WEEKLY APPLICATION CONTROL REPORT

The Weekly Application Control Report for food stamps is now sorted in order by the application due date rather than by the date of application.  Applications with the earliest due date are listed first and those with the latest due date are listed last.

The Weekly Application Control Report shows the timely food stamp recertification application processing due date based according to the birth month of the head of the food stamp household.  If the due date falls on a holiday or weekend, the due date shown on the Weekly Application Control Report will be the last working day prior to the date on the schedule.  Two new fields are added to the Weekly Application Control Report:

• one showing the type of application;
• I-Initial
• T-Timely
• N-Non timely; and 
• another showing the birth month of the head of the household for timely recertification applications.

CURRENCY REPORT

There are several changes to the Currency Report which will be discussed in a  later memorandum.  Because staff are entering incorrect information in the backup worker field in FSU5, we are experiencing difficulty with sorting the Currency Report. 

Correct information in the backup worker field is important in preparation for FAMIS food stamp conversion.  Refer to Memorandum IM-#84 dated May 31, 2000 for instructions for how to correctly use information in the backup worker field in FSU5.

Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

 

Use the schedule based on the birth month for the head of the household to determine the due date for a timely recertification application.