HAR §17-663-154. Approval of homeless meal providers

(a) Establishments or shelters who wish to become homeless meal providers shall submit an application with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Office (SNAPO). The SNAPO shall approve the application form for homeless establishments and shelters when the SNAPO is satisfied upon sufficient evidence that the establishment or shelter does in fact serve meals to homeless persons. (b) The SNAPO shall make the determination that the applicant meal provider is serving meals to homeless individuals by one or a combination of the following methods: (1) Conducting an on-site investigation of the establishment or shelter; (2) Examining the establishment’s records; (3) Confirming with other licensing agencies, e.g., department of health, that the estab- lishment is authorized to prepare and serve meals to the public; or (4) Through collateral contacts designated by the establishment. (A) The collateral contact may be made either in person or by the telephone; (B) The acceptability of a collateral contact shall not be restricted to a particular individual or organization but may be any individual or organ- ization who may be expected to provide an accurate third-party verification of the establishment’s statements; and (C) Examples of acceptable collateral contacts include: (i) Landlords; (ii) Social service agencies; or (iii) Other governmental agencies. (c) The SNAPO shall notify the meal provider establishment of the decision rendered on the meal provider’s application. [Eff 3/19/93; am and comp §17-663-155 663-80 11/19/05; am and comp 10/07/10] (Auth: HRS §346-14) (Imp: 7 C.F.R. §272.9) §17-663-155 Participation of homeless meal providers. (a) Homeless meal providers as defined in section 17-663-152 shall be responsible for obtaining approval from the SNAPO as set forth in section 17-663- 154 that it does serve meals to homeless persons. (b) Upon receipt of the approval notification from SNAPO, the homeless meal provider shall apply with the local FNS office to qualify for authorization to accept SNAP benefits from homeless SNAP recipients and shall provide FNS with the written approval notice from SNAPO. The FNS office shall make the final decision whether the establishment or shelter shall be authorized as a homeless meal provider. (c) Authorized homeless meal providers may only request voluntary use of SNAP benefits from homeless SNAP recipients and may not request such households using SNAP benefits to pay more than the average cost of the food purchased by the homeless meal provider contained in a meal served to the patrons of the meal service. For purposes of this section, “average cost" is determined by averaging food costs over a period of up to one calendar month. Voluntary payments by SNAP recipients in excess of such costs may be accepted by the meal providers. The value of donated foods from any source shall not be considered in determining the amount to be requested from SNAP recipients. All indirect costs, such as those incurred in the acquisition, storage, or preparation of the foods used in meals shall also be excluded. [Eff 3/19/93; am and comp 11/19/05; am and comp 10/07/10] (Auth: HRS §346- 14) (Imp: 7 C.F.R. §§272.9. 278.1, 278.2) §