The date of application is the date the FSD receives a FS-1 (Food Stamp application) that contains a minimum of the applicant’s:
Date stamp all applications received during business hours with the current date. Date stamp all applications received after business hours with the next business date.
The date of application for an applicant applying for SSI and FS prior to release from an institution is the date released from the institution.
The application is signed by the applicant, legal guardian or conservator (acting as authorized representative), or responsible family member or an authorized representative. FS EUs are held liable for any overissuance resulting from erroneous information given by EU members or authorized representatives.
When a legal guardian, conservator, or other individual serves as the authorized representative and completes the application, advise of the need to report required changes on behalf of the EU according to the change reporting requirements to which the EU is subject.
Any responsible EU member may designate, in writing, an authorized representative to act on behalf of the EU. The authorized representative may be designated to make application, access benefits, or both. The authorized representative must be an adult who is sufficiently aware of the EU’s situation and not part of the EU. The authorized representative is recorded on the Representative (FMMP) screen in FAMIS. Refer to Adding/Updating/Ending A Representative user guide for instructions.
The following individuals cannot serve as authorized representative unless no other representative is available:
The authorized representative must be advised of the need to report required changes on behalf of the EU according to the change reporting requirements to which the EU is subject. The authorized representative may be liable for any overpayment to the EU caused by the authorized representative.
The EU must be advised they may be liable for any overpayment caused by the authorized representative.
If a guardian lives in one county and the EU in another, the application must be taken in the EU's county and the guardian must designate an authorized representative in the EU's county to handle all transactions for the EU.
When the worker adds an authorized representative, FAMIS checks for active disqualifications. If the authorized representative is currently disqualified, as seen on the Sanction/Disqualification screen (FMAM), the Representative screen (FMMP) displays Y in the DQ field.
If the authorized representative is making the application on behalf of the EU, attempt to call the EU and notify them of the disqualification. Continue as follows:
Note: In order to complete the application with the EU with no authorized representative, you must exit the controlled flow to change Authorized Representative to N on the Application Detail screen, enter the DCN of the applicant in the Signed By field, and resume the controlled flow. See the ADDING/UPDATING/ENDING A REPRESENTATIVE user guide for detailed procedures.
On an initial application, the period of application is the calendar month in which the EU filed its application.
On a second month application, the period of application is the month following the month of application.
On a timely or non-timely reapplication, the period of application is the month following the expiration of the certification period.
Any information entered in FAMIS for a reapplication that affects the current certification is reviewed by FAMIS to determine if the EU is entitled to additional benefits.
Example: Ms. A made a timely reapplication for benefits for April on March 1. Her current income is lower than the income budgeted for the current certification. Ms. A's caseworker entered the income information into FAMIS and completed a March budget. FAMIS determined Ms. A was entitled to $50 in additional food stamp benefits for March and set an approval for the next certification. The worker authorized the actions and FAMIS issued the supplemental benefits for March.
Reject applications made earlier than 60 days prior to the end of the certification period (the next to the last month and the last month of the certification period) without system entries. Complete only the application page for these applications. Interview the applicant only when he/she indicates a change in situation has occurred. Enter the changes in FAMIS and complete an eligibility determination for the current certification. Notify the applicant of the rejection, that the case remains active until the current certification expires, and that the EU will receive a notice of expiration advising the EU to make reapplication, using the electronic IM-112 form.
If the Application Date entered on the Application Request screen FM0G is earlier than 60 days prior to the end of the certification period, the message �Not within 60 days of cert period end. Add a person? (Y/N)� is displayed. If the EU is not adding a person, N is entered and the message displayed is �App not within 60 days of recert period.� Record a comment at the Eligibility Unit Member Role screen (FM3Z).