Handling Applications of SSI Households

Households of only SSI applicants or recipients may, if they choose, apply for SNAP benefits at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office. SSA shall handle applications of SSI households that have not applied for SNAP benefits in the previous 30 days and that do not have SNAP applications pending. SSA shall inform SSI applicants and recipients of the availability of benefits under the SNAP and the availability of a SNAP application at SSA offices whenever SSI applicants or recipients conduct business at an SSA office. An SSA office is not required to accept SNAP applications or to conduct interviews for SSI applicants or recipients who are not members of households in which all members are SSI applicants or recipients. SSA shall refer non-SSI households to the Department. SSA shall accept and complete SNAP applications filed at the SSA office by SSI households and shall forward them to the Department within one working day after receipt of the signed applications. On a form attached to the application, SSA will indicate required verifications that are on file at the SSA office. Items verified and on file at the SSA office are considered verified for SNAP purposes. An application shall be considered filed for normal processing standards on the date the identifiable application is received by the SSA office. For expedited service, processing time standards begin the date the Department receives the application. SNAP eligibility shall be based solely on SNAP eligibility criteria. At initial application, SSI households that have applied at the SSA office shall not be subject to an additional interview at the Department. The worker shall not contact the household to obtain information for certification for SNAP benefits, unless the application is improperly completed, mandatory verification is missing, or the worker determines certain information on the application is questionable. In no event shall the applicant be required to appear at the local office to finalize the eligibility determination. SSI households are considered categorically eligible for SNAP benefits in accordance with 106 CMR 365.180: Categorically Eligible Assistance Units.