470 IAC 6-3-1 Application processing

Sec. 1. (a) The application process includes the following: (1) Completing and filing an application form. (2) Being interviewed. (3) Having certain information verified. (b) Denial of an application must occur on or before the thirtieth calendar day after filing under the following conditions: (1) A household is found ineligible. (2) A household did not cooperate in the application process. (3) A household misses the initial scheduled interview. (c) If a household is denied under subsection (b), the household must file a new application to participate in the program and receive benefits. (d) If a household misses the initial interview, the division shall send the household a "Notice of Missed Interview" (NOMI). If the household does not respond to the NOMI, then the division can deny the application. However, the division cannot deny the application prior to the thirtieth day following the date of the application. (e) If the applicant does not provide the requested verification, the division may deny the application after the tenth day from the request. (1) In the case where verification is incomplete, the division must allow sufficient time for the applicant to provide missing verification. Sufficient time shall be at least ten (10) days from the date of the division's initial request for the particular verification that was missing. (2) If the applicant takes the required action within sixty (60) days following the date of application, the division shall reopen the case without requiring a new application. (f) The division must determine the cause of the delay as outlined in 7 CFR 273.2(h)(1) if: (1) there is a delay in the processing of an application; and (2) the division does not: (A) determine a household's eligibility; and (B) provide an opportunity to participate; within thirty (30) days following the date the application was filed. (g) If the applicant was at fault for the delay in the initial thirty (30) day period and found to be eligible during the second thirty (30) day period, the division will prorate benefits from the date requested verifications are provided. (h) The household is considered to have failed to appear for the face-to-face interview appointment if the interviewee arrives more than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled time. The division shall schedule another appointment in this situation. (i) Households that: (1) are certified on an expedited basis; and (2) have a postponed interview or verifications, or both; shall be assigned a normal certification period if circumstances warrant a normal certification. (j) The state agency shall verify Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments through the: (1) state data exchange (SDX); or (2) beneficiary data exchange (BENDEX). Only if the verification cannot be obtained through one (1) of these sources shall verification be requested from the household. (k) The division will accept an application for food stamps signed with an electronic signature.