410           APPLICATION PROCESS

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

• Submit an identifiable application;
   

• Complete and sign an approved application form;
   

• Attend an interview with a DPA caseworker, fee agent, or Native Family Assistance Program (NFAP Native Family Assistance Program) agency staff person, if an interview is required; and,
   

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

An application form must be given to the individual the same day DPA or the fee agent receives a request for an application.  All households must be advised that they may file an application the same day they contact the office in order to establish their benefit start date.  Individuals requesting an application by phone will be sent one the same day the telephone request is made.

Fee agents help individuals who live in communities that do not have a local DPA office apply for public assistance. DPA provides fee agents with applications and other forms individuals need to apply for assistance.  Individuals are not required to go to a fee agent, and may send the application directly to the nearest DPA office.

An application is considered filed when a DPA office receives an acceptable application form containing the applicant's name, address, and signature.  Faxed applications are accepted.  Applicants must be advised that eligibility cannot be determined until a member of the household completes an application form and participates in an interview with a caseworker, fee agent, or Native Family Assistance Program agency, if an interview is required.

The receipt of an identifiable application in a DPA office establishes the application filing date.  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 determination, use the original filing date and benefit start date for all programs.