OAR 461-135-0492: Application, Interviews, and Verification for DSNAP

(1) A request to replace food which was purchased with SNAP benefits and lost during a disaster does not require an application for DSNAP to be processed. See OAR 461-165-0230 for the processing of replacement requests. (2) The Department may be approved by the Food and Nutrition Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue mass supplements, as described at OAR 461-135-0494, to a current SNAP filing group (see OAR 461-110-0370). All others must complete the application process to receive DSNAP benefits. (3) To file an application for DSNAP, a household (see OAR 461-135-0491) must submit a completed application (DHS 349). (a) The household may submit this application through the mail or at a certification site in person or through an authorized representative (as described at OAR 461-115-0090). (b) The application must be filed before the expiration of the period during which FNS has authorized the Department to process and approve applications for DSNAP. (c) The application must be signed by a responsible member of the household or by an authorized representative designated by the household . (4) As part of the process for determining eligibility, the household or its authorized representative must be interviewed and must provide information and limited verification as described in section (5) of this rule. (a) The Department must advise the household orally and in writing about the disposition of its application, its rights and responsibilities, when its emergency certification period ends, and about the regular SNAP program. (b) The Department must advise the household of the civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Food Stamp Act, and of the fact that the household may be subject to a post-disaster review. (c) The Department must inform each DSNAP-eligible household about the proper use of SNAP benefits. (5) As part of the process for determining eligibility, the household or its authorized representative must provide the following: (a) Verification of the identity of the applicant; (b) Verification that at the time of the disaster, the applicant’s residence or workplace was located in the disaster area; and (c) An estimate of total take-home pay, cash resources, and allowable disaster-related expenses (see OAR 461-135-0493(2)). (d) Verification of any questionable information when requested by the Department.