Timeliness Standards for Processing

The worker shall determine the household's eligibility as soon as possible after the household or its authorized representative files the application. An application is filed the day the Department, or in the case of certain SSI households, the date the SSA office, receives an application containing the applicant's name and address, which is signed by either a responsible member of the household or the household's authorized representative in accordance with 106 CMR 361.120. See 106 CMR 365.180: Categorically Eligible Assistance Units for processing standards for categorically eligible households and 106 CMR 365.120: Determining Eligibility and Benefit Level for processing standards for PA households. (A) Eligible Assistance Units. Households that are found to be eligible must be provided an opportunity to participate within 30 calendar days following the date of application. An opportunity to participate consists of the Department's issuing SNAP benefits via the EBT system before the 30-day processing standard expires. When the Department misses this timeliness standard and the household is eligible for SNAP benefits in the month of application, SNAP benefits must be provided retroactive to the date of application. (B) Denying the Application. Households found ineligible shall be sent a Notice of Denial as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the application was filed. (1) If the household fails to appear for one scheduled interview, the worker must notify the household that it missed a scheduled interview appointment and that it is the household's responsibility to reschedule that interview. If the household makes no subsequent contact with the Department to reschedule the missed interview, the application shall be denied no later than 30 days after the application was filed. When an application is denied for this reason, the household must file a new application to participate in the program. (2) In cases where the interview was conducted and all necessary verification was requested on the same day the application was completed, a notice of denial may be sent no sooner than the tenth day nor later than the 30th day if the household did not provide the requested verification as long as: (a) the household received a statement of required verification and was notified of the date they must be submitted; and (b) the Department offered to help the household obtain needed verification as required in 106 CMR 361.650. If the household complies after the tenth day but before the 30th day, benefits must be provided back to the date of application for eligible households. Delays beyond 30 days must be handled in accordance with 106 CMR 361.900.