310                APPLICATION PROCESS

In order for the Division of Public Assistance (DPA) to determine a household's eligibility, the household must:

• Submit a completed and signed application.  Applications can be submitted in the following ways: 
  
   

1.   by mail;
    
2.   in person;
    
3.   by fax;
    
4.   by phone; or
    
5.   by e-mail

• Provide documentation and verification, including required forms, needed to determine program eligibility.

All households may file an application the same day they contact DPA(Division of Public Assistance) to establish a protected filing date.  DPA(Division of Public Assistance) will help all households with the application and renewal process.

Senior Benefits also uses the GEN 152 application form.  A Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP) application form is an acceptable application and recertification form.

Fee agents help households who live in communities that do not have a local DPA(Division of Public Assistance) office apply online or use DPA(Division of Public Assistance) application and other forms provided by DPA(Division of Public Assistance).  Households are not required to go to a fee agent and may apply directly through DPA(Division of Public Assistance).

The receipt of an identifiable application by DPA(Division of Public Assistance) establishes the application filing date.  An identifiable application must contain the applicant's name, address, and signature.  The caseworker has 30 days following the application filing date to process the application.  If an applicant asks to apply for another program prior to a timely eligibility determination, use the original filing date and benefit start date for all programs.  

Note:  

For paper applications, the signature must be either be telephonically recorded by a caseworker through the Virtual Call Center (VCC) or a "wet signature".  The term "wet signature" refers to someone placing a physical signature or distinct mark on a hard copy of a document with a pen to make it legally binding.  Typed, digital, and handwritten signatures created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen) are not acceptable.  

When households apply for multiple programs, DPA(Division of Public Assistance) must make a Senior Benefits determination based on the information in the application.  DPA(Division of Public Assistance) must not delay the Senior Benefits determination if more information is needed for other programs.

The Senior Benefits cases have separate case numbers in EIS(Eligibility Information System), and all cases must be registered to District 030.