601              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 physical or telephonic application that meets the identifiable application requirements;

• Complete and sign an approved application form physically, or using the telephonic application submission process;

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

An application form must be given to the individual the same day DPADivision of Public Assistance 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.

Individuals requesting an application by phone will be given the opportunity to complete and sign a SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program application using the telephonic application process.  Individuals who choose not to participate in the telephonic application process will be sent an application the same day the telephone request is made.

Fee agents help individuals who live in communities that do not have a local DPADivision of Public Assistance 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 DPADivision of Public Assistance office.

An application is considered filed when a DPADivision of Public Assistance office receives an acceptable paper or telephonic 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 a physical or telephonic application form and participates in an interview with a caseworker, or fee agent, if an interview is required.

The receipt of an identifiable application in a DPADivision of Public Assistance office establishes the application filing date.  The caseworker has 30 days (or 7 days for SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program expedited service applications) 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.

Note: 

Although applicants can submit a request for service to secure their benefit start date, a completed application is required before benefits can be issued. Refer to SNAP MS 601-2(H) for information regarding completed applications. 

Public Assistance programs that are requested to be added to the original SNAP application can only be added if the interview is conducted within 30 days, or 7 days for expedite service applications. If requested outside of these time frames, a new application will be required. 

Note:

Digital and handwritten signatures created on an electronic device (finger/stylus to screen) are acceptable.  Typed signatures are not acceptable.

Telephonic signatures must be recorded by a caseworker through the VCCVirtual Call Center.