Processing Standards For Expedited Service

July 2001

When an applicant indicates that he/she is in need of food stamp benefits by completing the appropriate section of the application, the county agency shall review the information provided to determine if eligibility for expedited service is likely to exist. The person screening applications should be looking for AGs which meet any one of the following situations. If eligibility for expedited service may exist, an interview is to be scheduled to allow expedited service to be rendered within the appropriate time frame.

AGs found eligible for expedited service, in accordance with rule 5101:4-6-09 of the Administrative Code, shall have their benefits issued as described in the following situations.

SITUATION:AG WITH ZERO NET MONTHLY INCOME AND LIQUID RESOURCES OF $100 OR LESS

ACTION:Certification for program benefits shall be completed with 24 hours or if mitigating circumstances occur, within 72 hours after application. The benefits may be personally handed to the AG name or his authorized representative immediately following certification under this provision unless the AG requests in writing that it would prefer the benefits mailed. In the even of such a request, the county agency shall immediately mail the benefits and place the AG's written request in the case file.

SITUATION:AG WITH LESS THAN $150 GROSS MONTHLY INCOME AND LIQUID RESOURCES OF $100 OR LESS, or

DESTITUTE (as defined in 5101:4-6-09) MIGRANT OR SEASONAL FARMWORKER AG WITH LIQUID RESOURCES OF $100 OR LESS, or

AG WHOSE MONTHLY RENT/MORTGAGE PLUS UTILITY COSTS EXCEED ITS TOTAL GROSS MONTHLY INCOME AND LIQUID RESOURCES

ACTION:The benefits shall be mailed no later than the close of business on the sixth calendar day following the date of application or available for pickup no later than the close of business on the seventh calendar day following the date of application to any AG meeting any one of the situations listed above.

When the screening process fails to identify an AG eligible for expedited service, benefits shall be provided within the appropriate time frame (for the situations described above) from the date it was determined eligibility for the service exists, rather than the date of application.