In order to align with federal rules and guidance, the Office of Family Assistance (OFA) has amended Ohio Administrative Code rules 5101:4-2-01 and 5101:4-7-07 to implement final regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Ohio Administrative Code rule 5101:4-6-09 is being amended to align with current regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture, FNS.

These rules have been subject to a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR). The changes will become effective on 9/1/2018.

Chapter 2000

5101:4-2-01 "Food assistance: initial application process."

This rule describes the process of initial applications for the SNAP program. OFA amended this rule. Changes to the rule include:

• Language has been clarified in paragraph (C)(2) to allow for telephonic signatures on SNAP applications.
• Language has been added to paragraph (F)(3) to specify the date of application if the resident of an institution applies before release date.
• Language has been added to (F)(1) to explain the date of application when the application is submitted after business hours.
• Language has been added to (B)(2) to explain the assistance group’s right to apply in writing.
• Language has been added to (A)(2) to clarify the minimum requirements for an application.
• Language has been added to define "application" and "completion" for purposes of division 5101:4 of the Administrative Code.
• Language was added to paragraph (A)(4) to implement the requirement of county agencies to provide a copy of the completed application to the assistance group upon request.
• Language was added to paragraph (C) to define the allowable types and criteria of signatures on applications.
• The term "food assistance" was replaced with "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)."
• The JFS 07200, "Request for Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance" was replaced with "Application for Cash, Food, or Medical Assistance."

Chapter 6000

5101:4-6-09 "Food assistance: expedited service."

This rule describes expedited service processing for SNAP applications. Requirements to paragraph (J) have been added to process expedited SNAP applications after postponed verifications are not received. In addition, "food assistance" was replaced with "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)." No other substantive changes were made.

Chapter 7000

5101:4-7-07 "Food assistance: recertification."

This rule describes the process for completing a recertification in the SNAP program. OFA amended this rule. Changes to the rule include:

• Language has been added to (H)(5) to clarify that applications for recertification received after the certification period are processed within initial application processing timeframes.
• Language has been clarified in (C)(3) to allow the electronic and telephonic equivalents for applications for recertification.
• Language has been added to (C)(3) to explain the date of application when the application is submitted after business hours.
• Language has been added to (G)(2) to clarify timeliness standards for processing an application for recertification.
• The term "food assistance" was replaced with "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)."
• The JFS 07200, "Request for Cash, Food, and Medical Assistance" was replaced with "Application for Cash, Food, or Medical Assistance."
• The JFS 07204, "Request to Reapply for Cash and Food Assistance" was replaced with "Application to Reapply for Cash and/or Food Assistance." An amended version of the JFS 07204 is being filed with this rule.
• Paragraph (B)(3) has been stricken as separate appointment notices are not required by federal regulation when multiple programs are being recertified at the same time.
• Language has been stricken in paragraph (C)(5) to clarify the JFS 01846 is not required to be signed.