South Carolina Code of Regulations › Chapter 114 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES › Article 13 - FOOD STAMP PROGRAM › Section 114-1320 - Application Processing

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, June 28, 2024
A. The
			 State will inform applicants about the eligibility requirements and their
			 rights and responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Department under
			 the Food Stamp Program. Under this requirement, individuals are given
			 information in written form, and orally as appropriate, about coverage,
			 conditions of eligibility, scope of the program, related services available,
			 and the rights and responsibilities of applicants for and recipients of
			 assistance. Specifically developed bulletins or pamphlets explaining the rules
			 regarding eligibility and appeals in simple, understandable terms shall be
			 available. Applicants for and recipients of assistance shall be notified in
			 writing at the time of application and recertification that the Department will
			 regularly request information from other federal and State agencies which will
			 be used to aid in determining their eligibility for and the amount of
			 benefits.
B. The Department will
			 verify the validity of all documents used to verify the immigration status of
			 noncitizens through the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Systematic
			 Alien Verification Entitlement (SAVE) Program.
C. The Department will use information
			 obtained through the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) to
			 verify the eligibility and benefit levels of applicants and participating
			 households
D. If an applicant has
			 failed to complete the initial application process and the Department has taken
			 all action to assist, the applicant is sent a notice of denial on the 31st day
			 following application. If the needed information is provided within 60 days of
			 the date of application the household does not have to complete a new
			 application. Benefits will be prorated from the date the needed information is
			 received by the Department if received within 60 days of the application filing
			 date.
E. If the applicant fails to
			 verify a new or changed deductible expense, the Department will not allow the
			 deduction. The applicant, if eligible, must be certified without the
			 deduction.
F. The household's
			 timely recertification application will continue to be denied at the end of the
			 last month of the certification period if the recipient either fails to appear
			 for an interview or fails to submit required verification(s) within the
			 required time frame.
G. Applicants
			 shall be informed about the eligibility requirements and their rights and
			 responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Department under the Food
			 Stamp Program. Under this requirement, individuals are given information in
			 written form, and orally as appropriate, about coverage, conditions of
			 eligibility, scope of the program, related services available, and the rights
			 and responsibilities of applicants for and recipients of assistance.
			 Specifically developed bulletins or pamphlets explaining the rules regarding
			 eligibility and appeals in simple, understandable terms shall be available.
			 Applicants for and recipients of assistance shall be notified in writing at the
			 time of application and recertification that the Department will regularly
			 request information from other federal and State agencies which will be used to
			 aid in determining their eligibility for and the amount of benefits.
H. Each individual wishing to do so shall
			 have the opportunity to apply for assistance without delay. Under this
			 requirement:
(1) The Department shall require
			 a written application, signed under a penalty of perjury, on a form prescribed
			 by the Department, from the applicant himself or someone acting responsibly for
			 him.
(2) An applicant may be
			 assisted, if he so desires, by an individual(s) of his choice (who need not be
			 a lawyer) in the various aspects of the application process and the
			 redetermination of eligibility and may be accompanied by such individual(s) in
			 contacts with the Department and when so accompanied may also be represented by
			 him.