Authorized Representative to Make Application

When the head of household, spouse or other household member cannot apply for the household, an authorized representative may be designated for that purpose. (A) Requirements. The authorized representative must be: (1) Designated in writing by the head of the household, the spouse, or other responsible household member; and (2) An adult who is sufficiently aware of relevant household circumstances to represent the household. Exception: In the event the only adult member of a household is classified as a non-household member (see 106 CMR 361.230), that person may be designated as the authorized representative for household members who are minors. (B) Household Liability. Except as provided in 106 CMR 365.650: Liability of Facility as Authorized Representative, the household shall be held liable for any over issuance that results from erroneous information given by the authorized representative. Therefore, it is important that the head of household, spouse or other responsible household member prepare and review the SNAP application whenever possible, even though the authorized representative will be the person interviewed. If it is determined that a household member collaborated with the authorized representative to commit fraud, the household member is subject to fraud hearing procedures. If a finding of fraud is made at the hearing, the household member would be disqualified from receiving SNAP benefits and a fraud claim established against the household.