410           APPLICATION PROCESS

In order for the Division of Public Assistance (DPADivision of Public Assistance) 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.
   
    

• Participate in an interview with a DPADivision of Public Assistance caseworker or DPADivision of Public Assistance-contracted fee agent; and
   
• Provide documentation and verification, including required forms, needed to determine program eligibility.

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

Fee agents help households who live in communities that do not have a local DPADivision of Public Assistance office apply for public assistance.  The fee agent can help the household apply online or use DPADivision of Public Assistance applications and other forms provided by DPADivision of Public Assistance.  Households are not required to go to a fee agent and may apply directly through DPADivision of Public Assistance.

The receipt of an identifiable application by DPADivision 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.  When the applicant asks to apply for another program prior to the eligibility decision, use the original filing date and benefit start date for all programs.  
 

Note:

For paper applications, the signature must 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 signature created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen) are not acceptable.

When households apply for multiple programs, DPADivision of Public Assistance must make an APAAdult Public Assistance determination based on the information in the application.  DPADivision of Public Assistance must not delay the APAAdult Public Assistance determination if more information is needed for other programs.