Whenever benefits are authorized for an applicant, the application must be approved through FSU5.  If continued eligibility cannot be determined, approve the application for only the month of eligibility.

The procedure for approving food stamp cases which are not eligible beyond the month of approval differs based on the date the action is taken.  Use the following guidance when completing approvals for the circumstances described.

Approving case in the month of application

When a food stamp household is determined eligible for only the month of application, the food stamp case must be approved for the current month only. Approve the case following normal procedures if the case is completed in the month the household is eligible.  Enter the current month for the "L/ATP" in field 10 of FSU5.

Example 1:  The household applies February 16, 1999.  The case is completed February 26, 1999, and is determined eligible for February benefits only.  The worker enters a FISU request for February benefits and approves the case using February 1999 in field 10 of FSU5.

When a food stamp household is determined eligible for the month of application and does not qualify for benefits in the month of approval, the application must be approved.

• Approval prior to payroll closing:  If approving the case before payroll closing of the month following eligibility, the month of eligibility must be entered as the "L/ATP" month in field 10 of FSU5.

Example 2:  The household applies on February 16, 1999.  The case is completed March 8, 1999, and is determined eligible for February benefits only.  The worker enters a FISU request for February benefits and approves the case using February 1999 in field 10 of FSU5.

• Approval after payroll closing:  If the approval is entered in FSU5 after payroll closing, certify the case through the approval month, but do not request benefits for any month of ineligibility.  Record in the case record why benefits are not being issued.

Example 3:  The household applies on January 25, 1999.  The case is completed on February 22, 1999, and is determined eligible for January benefits only.  Because payroll closing was February 19, 1999, the case must be approved using February 1999 in field 10 and "0000" in the payroll month in field 21 of FSU5.  No benefits are issued for the month of February.  The IM-112 approval letter notifies the household they are entitled to January benefits only.

Cases that are screened as expedited, should be approved within 24 hours of the application.  An IM-112 is sent to notify the household of the expedited benefit and, if applicable, the information that must be provided to receive future benefits. Follow policy regarding certification periods when completing field 10 of FSU5.

FSU5 Edit

The Food Stamp Program and Policy Unit is working with Data Processing staff to develop an FSU5 edit to prevent an application from being rejected if a benefit has been issued through FISU or FEX2.  Staff will be advised when this edit is operational.

• Discuss this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

 
• Do not reject cases eligible for at least one month of food stamp benefits.

 
• Approve expedited applications within 24 hours of the date of application.  Send an IM-112 notifying the household of the expedited benefit amount and, if applicable, the information that is needed to receive future benefits.