605-3 C.     JOINT APPLICATION PROCESSING: FSFood Stamp / PA AND FSFood Stamp / SSI

1. PAPublic Assistance / GA SNAP Applicants

To simplify participation in SNAP, households in which all members are applying for public assistance ( PA ) or general assistance ( GA ) shall be allowed to apply for SNAP benefits at the same time they apply for other assistance.  SNAP eligibility and benefits must be determined solely on SNAP eligibility criteria. SNAP benefits cannot be delayed as a result of a household member applying for any other program.

2. SSISupplemental Security Income /SNAP Applicants

Households in which all members are recipients of and/or applicants for SSISupplemental Security Income and SNAP can apply for both programs at the same time.  The provisions for joint application apply to all households who have not applied for SNAP in the last 30 days and do not have an application currently pending.

Joint processing means completion of an initial SNAP application, screening for expedited service, and the interview, or the activities necessary for recertification at the same time of applying for SSISupplemental Security Income benefits at the SSASocial Security Administration office.   SSA forwards the signed application, transmittal form and all available verification to the local DPADivision of Public Assistance office within one working day.  For rural areas, the forms and verification will be mailed within five days.

a. Processing Standards

All SNAP processing standards, verification, and eligibility requirements will be followed.  The 30-day processing time limit will begin the date the application is received and date stamped at the SSASocial Security Administration office.  Expedited service processing time frames begin when the application is date stamped at the DPADivision of Public Assistance district office.

b. Verification

The SSASocial Security Administration printout, documentation provided by the client, i.e., copy of the check or award letter, or other information that shows the benefit amount may be used to verify SSISupplemental Security Income benefits.  Any documentation provided by the SSASocial Security Administration office including the SSASocial Security Administration transmittal is acceptable verification.  Any necessary verification not available or not received from the SSASocial Security Administration office may be requested from the client.  However, the applicant cannot be required to appear at the SNAP office.

c. Budgeting

The SSISupplemental Security Income payment will be budgeted as unearned income.

d. Certification

SSISupplemental Security Income and pending SSISupplemental Security Income households shall be certified up to 12 months.  If the SSISupplemental Security Income application is subsequently denied the SNAP certification period may be shortened by sending a Notice of Adverse Action terminating the case the end of the issuance cycle following the date of the notice.  The notice must explain that the termination is due to changes that may affect the SNAP eligibility or benefit level and that the household may be entitled to an out-of-office interview.

Changes must be reported by the household to the SNAP office in accordance with SNAP reporting requirements.