1130.015.00 RECERTIFICATIONS

Recertifications are defined as applications on active cases taken before the end of the current certification. An EU is entitled to uninterrupted benefits if a timely application for recertification is made prior to the 15th day of the last month of certification. Approve the recertification prior to the end of the EU's current certification period when the EU meets all eligibility requirements and completes the necessary processing steps. This allows the EU an opportunity to participate by its normal issuance cycle the first month of the new certification period.

1130.015.05 Timely Recertifications

To be considered a timely application for recertification, the following conditions must be met:

• EUs certified for one month or certified for two months in the second month of certification must reapply within 17 calendar days from the date of the Notice of Expiration sent by FAMIS (see Notice of Expiration ); or
• EUs certified for two months in the first month of certification, or certified for three months or longer, must submit an application by the 15th day of the last month of the certification period. These EUs receive a Notice of Expiration generated by FAMIS on the 15th day of the second to last month of certification. An FS-1, Application for Food Stamp Benefits, and IM-31F, Instructions for Making your Food Stamp Application and Food Stamp Rights, form are sent with the automated Notice of Expiration (see Notice of Expiration ).

NOTE: For EUs consisting of SSI applicants/ recipients applying for FS recertification at SSA, consider the application date timely if the appropriate filing deadline is met. Consider an application filed when SSA receives a signed application.

1130.015.10 Non-timely Recertifications

Process any application for recertification NOT submitted in a timely manner using the same time frames as an application for initial certification. If the application is received before the end of the current certification period, the EU does not qualify for expedited service.

NOTE: If the application is received within 30 calendar days after the certification period ends, do not verify income if the source has not changed and the amount has not changed by more than $50, unless the information is incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, or outdated.

1130.015.15 Processing Recertifications

An interview must be completed for an application for recertification, unless the applicant meets the criteria for an elderly and disabled waived interview.

• All of the adult household members are either elderly or disabled, and
• There is no earned income, and
• The household reports no change in circumstances

Staff must review the Recertification Interview Decision Chart to ensure no changes in circumstances are reported before a making a decision to waive interview.

Note: Any applicant requesting an interview shall be granted an interview.

The interview may be by phone or in-person. The EU must provide necessary verification to receive uninterrupted benefits.

• If there is outstanding verification on the Outstanding Verification (FM3M) screen, generate the FA-325 Request for Information form notifying the EU what information must be provided. Ensure the FA-325 clearly identifies the documentation that must be provided by adding text in the text box as needed. Give a copy of the FA-325 to the EU. The EU is allowed ten days from the date of the request for information to supply necessary verification. The Agency has the obligation to assist the EU in obtaining verification when possible. The date the information is due is documented on the Outstanding Verification (FM3M) screen.
• If verification is provided and entered in FAMIS and the controlled flow is complete prior to or by the last day of the current certification, FAMIS approves the application if the EU is eligible. If the controlled flow is not complete, for a reason other than lack of interview, and all verification needed is provided, complete the controlled flow and authorize the action. This allows the EU to participate within 30 days from its last issuance.
• If verification is not provided by the ten-day deadline, or the last day of the certification, whichever is later, the EU loses its rights to uninterrupted benefits, as long as the verification was requested in a timely manner. FAMIS rejects the application the night of the last day of the certification if the last day is a business day and the controlled flow was complete. If the last day is a weekend/holiday, FAMIS rejects the application the night of the first business day following the end of the certification.
• If the EU does not appear or call in for the scheduled interview and does not call to reschedule an interview, FAMIS rejects the application the first business day following the last day of the certification unless the last day is a weekend or holiday. If the last day is a weekend or holiday, the application is rejected the second business day following the end of the certification. Refer to the user guide Worker Initiated Rejection for instructions.
• Food Stamp applications that have been rejected by the system because the EU did not take a required action or rejected by the worker because the EU did not complete an interview should not be cancel rejected. The worker should use the date the EU complied as the new date of application and process a new application for the EU.
  • NOTE: The previous application should be used to process the later application if the later application is within 60 days of the previous application date.

  Food Stamp applications should only be cancel rejected based on agency delay. Refer to Cancel Rejecting a Food Stamp Application for instructions if the rejection was due to agency delay.