Md. Code Regs. 10.54.01.12

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 25, December 13, 2024

Section 10.54.01.12 - Application Processing Procedures

A. A local agency shall perform the certification process at no cost to the applicant.

B. To lend administrative efficiency and participant convenience to the certification process, a local agency shall, whenever possible, use intake procedures for processing applications that are combined with intake procedures for other health programs or services administered by the local agency. These procedures may include:

(1) Verification procedures;

(2) Certification interviews; and

(3) Income computations.

C. When a local agency is not serving its maximum case load, the local agency shall:

(1) Accept an application;

(2) Arrive at an eligibility determination;

(3) Notify the applicant of the decision made; and

(4) Issue food instruments pursuant to the terms set forth in §E of this regulation.

D. To ensure that accurate records are kept of the date of an application, the local agency shall, at the time of each visit record the:

(1) Applicant's name;

(2) Applicant's address; and

(3) Date of the visit.

E. Time Frames.

(1) A local agency shall notify a special nutritional risk applicant of an eligibility or ineligibility determination within 10 days of the date of the application for Program benefits, except that the State agency may provide an extension of the notification period to a maximum of 15 days for the local agency that makes a written request which includes a justification of the need for an extension; or

(2) A local agency shall notify other applicants of their eligibility or ineligibility within 20 days of the date of the application for Program benefits.

F. If, during a certification visit, a local agency determines that an applicant is ineligible for the Program, the local agency shall:

(1) Inform the special nutritional risk applicant within 10 days of the certification visit, and other applicants within 20 days of the certification visit, of the:

(a) Applicant's ineligibility;

(b) Reason for ineligibility; and

(c) Applicant's right to a fair hearing on the ineligibility determination;

(2) Document the reasons for ineligibility; and

(3) Retain this information on file at the local agency.

G. At the same time an applicant completes the certification process and the local agency determines the applicant to be eligible for Program benefits, the local agency shall issue benefits for up to 90 days.

Md. Code Regs. 10.54.01.12

Regulations .12 adopted as an emergency provision effective February 21, 1986 (13:6 Md. R. 670); emergency status expired May 31, 1986
Regulations .12 adopted as an emergency provision effective June 4, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1477); adopted permanently effective October 20, 1986 (13:21 Md. R. 2321)
Regulations .12 adopted effective March 25, 1996 (23:6 Md. R. 476); amended effective 47:10 Md. R. 519, eff. 5/18/2020