Authority: IC
12-13-2-3; IC
12-13-5-3; IC
12-14-28-7
Affected: IC
12-13-7-6
Sec. 1.
(a) The
application process includes the following:
(1) Completing and filing an application
form.
(2) Being
interviewed.
(3) Having certain
information verified.
(b)
Denial of an application must occur on or before the thirtieth calendar day
after filing under the following conditions:
(1) A household is found
ineligible.
(2) A household did not
cooperate in the application process.
(3) A household misses the initial scheduled
interview.
(c) If a
household is denied under subsection (b), the household must file a new
application to participate in the program and receive benefits.
(d) If a household misses the initial
interview, the division shall send the household a "Notice of Missed Interview"
(NOMI).
If the household does not respond to the NOMI, then the
division can deny the application. However, the division cannot deny the
application prior to the thirtieth day following the date of the
application.
(e) If the
applicant does not provide the requested verification, the division may deny
the application after the tenth day from the request.
(1) In the case where verification is
incomplete, the division must allow sufficient time for the applicant to
provide missing verification. Sufficient time shall be at least ten (10) days
from the date of the division's initial request for the particular verification
that was missing.
(2) If the
applicant takes the required action within sixty (60) days following the date
of application, the division shall reopen the case without requiring a new
application.
(f) The
division must determine the cause of the delay as outlined in
7 CFR
273.2(h)(1) if:
(1) there is a delay in the processing of an
application; and
(2) the division
does not:
(A) determine a household's
eligibility; and
(B) provide an
opportunity to participate; within thirty (30) days following the date the
application was filed.
(g) If the applicant was at fault for the
delay in the initial thirty (30) day period and found to be eligible during the
second thirty (30) day period, the division will prorate benefits from the date
requested verifications are provided.
(h) The household is considered to have
failed to appear for the face-to-face interview appointment if the interviewee
arrives more than fifteen (15) minutes after the scheduled time. The division
shall schedule another appointment in this situation.
(i) Households that:
(1) are certified on an expedited basis;
and
(2) have a postponed interview
or verifications, or both; shall be assigned a normal certification period if
circumstances warrant a normal certification.
(j) The state agency shall verify
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments through the:
(1) state data exchange (SDX); or
(2) beneficiary data exchange (BENDEX).
Only if the verification cannot be obtained through one (1)
of these sources shall verification be requested from the household.
(k) The division will
accept an application for food stamps signed with an electronic signature.