Application Readiness Helping the Process

Transcription

1 Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program Application Readiness Helping the Process Division of Assistance Programs and the Office of Organizational & Skill Development Benefits of Complete Application Ready to process by DSS Less labor-intensive Eligibility determined more quickly Benefits to clients sooner Less re-applications More federally-funded funded SNAP to support state economy 1

2 Challenges to Timely Processing Correspondence: always report change of address return all calls from DSS read & respond to all mail Forms fully complete all forms for SNAP including : signature on application working telephone number(s) no sections/questions left blank ex. if $0 income, write $0 Additional Hurdles to Overcome Verification Submit all verifications with the application Contacting the Household DSS must have a valid address (unless homeless) DSS must be able to interview the household Contacting DSS Allow DSS time to respond to voic Either HH or organization contact DSS Too many repeat calls fills voic and slows process 2

3 Basic Eligibility Requirements DSS Applications for SNAP Verifications and Documentation EXSNAP Eligibility Criteria Submitting the SNAP Application Following-up on the SNAP Application Other SNAP Processes Tips Before starting with how to apply for SNAP it is necessary to understand the eligibility criteria An applicant should appear eligible before being advised to apply for SNAP 3

4 SNAP Basic Eligibility Requirements Residency Residency Must live in CT New to CT - Must have intent to reside Visitors not eligible 4

5 Must be: Non-Citizen Eligibility legally residing in the US for five years or more, or Meet certain conditions, or Be a qualified non-citizen. Sponsor deeming Deem income and assets of sponsor does not apply to children under 18 In US less than five (5) years May be eligible for State Funded SNAP Income Limits The SNAP Income Limit depends on the number of people in the household, as well as whether any member is elderly or disabled The Gross Income Limit for SNAP is currently 185% of the Federal Poverty Level for the SNAP Household size, but. If a household contains a member who is elderly (60 or older) or disabled they may have income greater than 185% of the FPL and still apply. 5

6 SNAP Standards (10/1/12 to 9/30/12) Basic Eligibility Elderly or disabled > 185% of FPL Standard Deduction Maximum Shelter Hardship Standard Utility Allowance Family income less than 185% of FPL Net Income Test and $3250 Asset Limit Based on HH size 1-3: $149, 4: $160, 5: $187, 6+: $214 $469, unless elderly or disabled HH member (no shelter hardship max) $668, unless no shelter expense Assets SNAP HH has Elderly or Disabled Member Elderly = 60 or older Income > 185% of the FPL Asset limit $3250 Savings, Checking Stocks Bonds 6

7 Medical Deduction Deductions Elderly (60 or older) or Disabled Out of Pocket Medical Expenses > $35/month Dependent Care Child or Disabled Adult Out of Pocket Child Support Payments Legal Obligation to paying Currently paying These deductions have No maximum Shelter Costs Rental/Mortgage Obligation to pay rental/mortgage expense Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) All households eligible, except Households with no shelter expense, or Homeless May get telephone allowance Must have monthly bill, not pre-pay pay 7

8 Procedural Requirements What must the client DO? Social Security Numbers Disclose SSN all household members Must tell us the number DSS will try to verify via SSA If can t, will ask for card Proof of application If no number, must apply 8

9 Cooperate with Process Interview Telephone or Face-to to-face Provide Documentation/Verification Mandatory: Identity, DOB, SSN, Income, Assets Deductions, if claimed Shelter, Utilities, Dependent Care, Medical and Child Support Procedural Requirements - Review What information must the client provide for all applicants for SNAP? How does a client cooperate with the SNAP application process? Is the household required to provide verification of rental expenses? 9

10 The Application Process Complete Form W1E, W1F, W1-Food, or W-1ERW answer each question No blanks Provide Verification Be Interviewed Eligibility Determination Made Grant/Deny Notice Timeframes for processing SNAP applications Expedited Access to benefits within 7 days Must verify identity of person making application and SNAP Head of Household Must be interviewed Regular 30 day Standard of Promptness Must be interviewed Provide verification of all required eligibility factors (Income and Assets) 10

11 Special Note Date of application is the date signed form is received at the DSS office for the client s geographical location. Recertification 12 months for most SNAP households 24 months for elderly/disabled w/no earned income An Overview of DSS SNAP Applications 11

12 W-1E Eligibility Determination Document The W-1E W Form The Cadillac of applications! Used for anyone to apply for cash, medical, or SNAP. Designed for families with three or more people. This form is BIG, with its cover pages, it s s 22 pages long! Covers all the areas that must be completed to properly evaluate a for program eligibility. 12

13 The W-1E W Form The Cadillac of applications! The cover page is actually instructions for the person requesting assistance. The next page has to do to with voter registration. There are individual areas (5) to collect demographic information on household members. All of the technical and procedural requirements are folded in to the application. W-1F Special Eligibility Determination Document 13

14 The W1-F F is created for single individuals or married couples only. If there are more than 2 people, you must use the W1-E! This form is for State Supplement, Medicaid, SNAP, SAGA, or Home Care for Elders. Shorter than W-1E, W only 14 pages. The W-1F W Form W-1FOOD Application for SNAP Benefits Only 14

15 The W-1FOOD W Form This form is only to apply for SNAP. It is only for individuals and families up to 4 people. If you are looking for SNAP and you are a larger family, you must use the W-1E W Form! If you are looking for any other assistance cash or medical you must use another form! W-1FOOD SNAP only Application Cover page of W-1FOOD contains criteria for EXSNAP eligibility. 15

16 W-1E Eligibility Determination Document IN DETAIL Cover Sheet Front Instructions for completing the application. Back Brief guide listing documents that may be used to prove applicant s statements. Explanation of Expedited Service and Processing Time Limits. 16

17 Cover Sheet Front Instructions for completing the application. Back Brief guide listing documents that may be used to prove applicant s statements. Explanation of Expedited Service and Processing Time Limits. Voter Registration National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 Easier to file application to register to vote. Can apply with DSS Can register or decline if not registered DSS forwards to appropriate Registrar of Voters in the appropriate Town Hall. 17

18 Page 1 of Application Need Help? What programs are you applying for Can apply for all programs using the W-1EW Receive Assistance Now? Helps DSS determine where to route the application Do we already have information about you Reasonable Accommodation? Need special help due to a disability Must request an accommodation, if needed Name & Address Page 1 (cont.): who are you and where do you live Give us working telephone number(s) Identifies which DSS office will handle the application Authorized Representative For SNAP, can also have an authorized shopper Will get an EBT card with access to your SNAP account 18

19 Additional Instructions For SNAP DO NOT complete sections with a star ( )( Non-citizens applying for assistance Must provide information about sponsor Household Members Complete section for each person that you are applying for. Student Social Security Number Technical Eligibility questions Marital status, Hispanic/Latino, Race Able to work 19

20 Fleeing Felon Not eligible if you are a fleeing felon Must know you are a felon and fleeing DSS may get a match with DOC (Department of Corrections) and will notify you of your status Who else lives with you? For SNAP, we must consider everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares meals together. SNAP rules consider people you may not think need to be included: Your children under 22 even if they have their own family structure Individuals who are not related Someone you have parental control over 20

21 Medical Insurance Complete if: SNAP Applicant elderly or disabled Has out-of of-pocket medical expenses > $35 monthly No limit on the amount of the deduction Assets Will help determine if eligible for EXSNAP Required for elderly (60 or older) or disabled HHs with income> 185% FPL Includes: Cash on Hand, Savings and Checking Accounts, Stocks, Bonds and Retirement Accounts 21

22 Transfer of Assets Can t t sell, transfer, trade or give away an asset to become eligible for SNAP Must receive Fair Market Value Income If no or little income, tell us how you are paying your bills. DSS needs to know how you are meeting your needs 22

23 Employment Current and Previous Employment of all household members requesting SNAP. Fill in all sections, note hours and gross wages per pay period. Indicate if someone is self-employed employed Income tax forms or other financial records Report when someone left employment and why Voluntary Quit penalties may apply Dependent Care For a child or disabled adult To go to work, attend training or look for a job Out of pocket expense No limit on the amount of the deduction 23

24 Attending college Less than Half-time (eligible) Half-Time or more Students Eligible if meet certain criteria Must document student funding Other Income List any other income of all household members requesting SNAP. Common Types of other income: Social security Workmen s s Compensation Unemployment Compensation Veteran s s Benefits Child Support List the source, amount, and frequency 24

25 How do you count income? Other important things to know: Earnings of dependent students 17 or under Educational income, if used for educational expenses, and Lump sums (like tax refunds, or SSI retro checks) Treated as income in month of receipt and asset there after Then there are disregards & deductions: If employed 20% earned income disregard Self employment expenses as incurred Standard deduction for the household size Other Deductions Medical, dependent care, child support and shelter Living Arrangement and Shelter Expenses Directly affects benefit amount Count amount obligated to pay Not entitled to portion paid by subsidy or other 3 rd party Standard Utility Allowance (SUA) All households eligible, except Households with no shelter expense, or Homeless (may get telephone allowance) 25

26 Child Support Deduction Child Support payments Deduction allowed if, Legal Obligation to Pay Currently paying No limit on amount of the deduction Read Carefully and Sign 26

27 Important Ending Note!! MAKE SURE that the applicant signs the application! that YOU sign the application (Helper)! If you use an interpreter, they sign as well (whether it s s an Agency interpreter or a friend or family member). On the W-1E, W that the applicant signs the Authorization to Disclose Application Status section. Expedited SNAP Applications Must meet 1 of 3 criteria Only need to verify identity. Use client s s statement of income and other household circumstances. Must be interviewed Seven calendar day standard of promptness. 27

28 EXSNAP Criteria W-1FOOD Cover page of W-1FOOD contains criteria for EXSNAP eligibility. EXSNAP Criteria A household qualifies for Expedited Processing if at least one of the following criteria is met: Rent or mortgage plus utility payments exceed income and liquid assets, or Income is < $150 and assets are < $100, or Migrant or seasonal farm workers have less than $100 in assets Client Must Receive EXSNAP benefits within 7 days 28

29 Verifications Publication #06-13 Guide to Verification of Information for DSS Programs W-1348 Verifications we Need When To Accept An Affidavit Verification and Documentation Guidelines Guide to Verification of Information for DSS Programs Publication #06-13 Lists types of proof that applicant can use Other types of proof DSS can use Contact DSS worker 29

30 The W-1348W Verification We Need Form Completed by Eligibility Workers. Communicate what outstanding verifications are necessary to process an application. Documents must be submitted before application can be processed, except Expedited SNAP. Circumstances to Accept Affidavits for Verification Homelessness or no proof of identity because of fire, disaster, crime, etc. Required 3 rd party verification cannot be obtained. Contact DSS office if applicant is cooperating but cannot obtain requested verification. 30

31 SNAP Interviews Face-to to-face interview for all SNAP applications & recertifications is waived. If face-to to-face waived, we must conduct a phone interview. Applicant can have a face-to to-face interview, if applicant requests. Notice of Missed Interview (NOMI) for SNAP DSS attempts to schedule interviews (office or phone) If appt. is scheduled and client fails to report for interview, we must send the Notice of Missed Interview (NOMI). Applicant s s responsibility to contact DSS to reschedule the missed interview. 31

32 What constitutes a complete application process? All questions answered No Blanks Application signed Social Security number provided for each member applying Documentation or Proof: Income (earned, self-employment employment & unearned) Assets (when applicable) Alien card for non-citizens Residency INTERVIEW Adult applicant must be interviewed Telephone or Face-to to-face (Office Visit) Special Notes on SNAP Applications Standard of Promptness Regular 30 days Expedited 7 day An interview must be conducted for all applications, regular or expedited. 32

33 Submitting Applications Office locations and assignments How to submit an application Mail In Person Regular fax E-Fax (select contractors) Remember, when faxing, always save the confirmation! Following-Up with DSS Complete Authorization to Disclose Application Status section on application. Make copies of all documentation submitted Only one party should follow-up If both are calling, DSS has two parties to contact Upon grant/denial, notice will be mailed EBT card mailed when granted. 33

34 Other Processes Periodic Review Process Mid-point month of certification period Certification periods = 12 or 24 months MUST complete and return form for continued eligibility No interview required Must verify changes reported Recertification Other Processes Must complete and return form Must be interviewed Phone or In-Office MUST re-verify income and assets Verify deductions if want deduction considered 34

35 Ending Notes Complete application Verification Interview Complete other processes 35