New Mexico Administrative Code › Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES › Chapter 100 - GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS › Part 110 - GENERAL OPERATING POLICIES - APPLICATIONS › Section 8.100.110.11 - PROCESSING APPLICATIONS

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 13, July 16, 2024
A. Cash
				Assistance (CA)/SNAP combined cases: To facilitate participation in SNAP, the
				Food Stamp Act requires that individuals applying for CA be able to apply for
				SNAP benefits at the same time.
(1)
				Application: A household applying jointly for CA and SNAP is required to file
				only one application on a form prescribed by ISD. The application contains the
				information necessary to complete the application process whether it was
				submitted by paper format or electronically online. If it is unclear to ISD
				whether the applicant intends to apply for SNAP, ISD will ask the applicant
				during the CA interview or other contact may be made with the applicant. An
				application for SNAP will be processed in accordance with time standards and
				procedures set forth in federal and state laws and regulations governing SNAP,
				including expedited processing provisions.
(2) Single interview: Whenever possible, a
				single interview will be held with an applicant who applies jointly for CA and
				SNAP benefits.
(3) Categorical
				eligibility: A SNAP household that meets criteria set forth in
				8.139.420.8 NMAC is categorically
				eligible. If a household does not meet SNAP eligibility criteria, but is
				potentially categorically eligible, ISD must postpone denying the SNAP
				application until the 30th day.
(4)
				Application processing: Shall be processed in accordance with
				7 C.F.R
				273.2 j(1)(iv). As a result of differences in
				CA and SNAP application processing procedures and timeliness standards,
				eligibility for SNAP benefits may be determined prior to CA eligibility
				determination. Action on a SNAP application may be postponed until categorical
				eligibility is established to afford the household any benefits of this
				provision. However, SNAP approval may not exceed the applicable SNAP expedited
				or regular application processing timeliness standards.
(5) Application is denied: If a CA
				application is denied, an applicant is not required to file a new SNAP
				application. SNAP eligibility will be determined on the basis of the original
				application filed jointly for CA and SNAP, as well as any other documentation
				and information obtained in the course of the CA determination that is relevant
				to SNAP eligibility and benefit amount. A SNAP application may not be denied
				based on a CA denial reason, but must be based on the SNAP eligibility
				criteria.
(6) Denial retrieval: A
				SNAP application that is denied on the 30th day must be readily retrievable for
				another 30 days, in case the household is later determined eligible for CA or
				supplemental security income (SSI) benefits. When this occurs, ISD will use the
				original SNAP application, update any information and approve the SNAP case
				with prorated benefits as of the date of CA or SSI approval or payment
				effective date, whichever is later. A second interview is not necessary,
				however, the applicant or authorized representative should initial all changes
				and sign and date the verification of the changes.