Code of Colorado Regulations
2500 - Department of Human Services
2506 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
10 CCR 2506-1 - RULE MANUAL VOLUME 4, SNAP
Section 10 CCR 2506-1-4.804 - COURT ACTION

Universal Citation: 10 CO Code Regs 2506-1, ยง 4.804

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024

A. Local offices are encouraged to refer for prosecution under state fraud statutes those individuals suspected of committing fraud, particularly if large amounts of benefits are suspected of being fraudulently obtained or the individual is suspected of committing more than one (1) fraudulent act. The local office shall confer with its legal representative to determine the types of cases that will be accepted for possible prosecution.

B. An individual must be found guilty of fraud through criminal court in order for the local office to impose a disqualification penalty. However, when a determination of guilt is not obtained because of a case involving court-deferred adjudication or plea-bargaining, a disqualification penalty may be imposed if a signed consent agreement is obtained from the individual.

C. A summary or copy of a referral for prosecution shall, together with the date of the referral, be forwarded to the state department.

D. Local offices shall disqualify an individual found guilty of fraud or the length of time specified by the court. If the court fails to impose a disqualification period, the local office shall impose an appropriate disqualification in accordance with Section 4.803.3, unless imposing a disqualification would be contrary to the court order.

E. If disqualification is ordered but a date for initiating the disqualification period is not specified, the local office shall initiate the disqualification period for individuals within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date the disqualification was ordered. Any other court-imposed disqualification shall begin within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date the court found an individual guilty of civil or criminal misrepresentation or fraud.

F. Once a disqualification period has been imposed against a currently participating household member, the period of disqualification shall continue uninterrupted until completed regardless of the eligibility of the disqualified member's household.

G. If the court finds that the individual committed fraud, the county shall mail to the household, prior to the disqualification whenever possible, a notice informing the household of the disqualification and the date the disqualification will take effect, and shall advise the remaining household members of the allotment they will receive during the period of disqualification or that they must reapply because the certification period has expired.

4.804.1 Disqualification Consent Agreement (DCA)

A. Criteria for DCA

If county prosecutors pursue a DCA, the agreement shall provide the household advance notification of the consequences of consenting to the disqualification. The consent agreement shall contain the following:

1. A statement for the accused individual to sign that they understand the consequences of consenting to disqualification.

2. A signature block for the accused individual;

3. A statement that the head of household must also sign the consent agreement if the accused individual is not the head of household;

4. A signature block for the head of household;

5. A statement that consenting to disqualification will result in disqualification and a reduction in benefits for the period of disqualification, even though the accused individual was not found guilty of civil or criminal misrepresentation or fraud;

6. A warning that the disqualification penalties for fraud under SNAP that could be imposed and a statement of which penalty the hearing office believes is applicable to the case scheduled for the hearing; and

7. A statement of the fact that the remaining household members, if any, will be held responsible for repayment of the resulting claim, unless the accused individual has already repaid the claim as a result of meeting the terms of the agreement with the prosecutor or the court order.

B. Imposing Disqualifications When Consent Agreements are Obtained
1. If the household member suspected of fraud signs the disqualification consent agreement, the household member shall be disqualified in accordance with the disqualification periods specified in Section 4.803.2, F, unless contrary to the court order.

2. Once a disqualification penalty has been imposed against a currently participating household member, the period of disqualification shall continue uninterrupted until completed, regardless of the eligibility of the disqualified member's household. However, the disqualified member's household shall continue to be responsible for repayment of the over-issuance that resulted from the disqualified member's suspected fraudulent act, regardless of its eligibility for Program benefits.

C. Notification to Household of Disqualification
1. If the household member suspected of fraud signs the disqualification consent agreement, the local office shall provide written notice to the household member. The notice shall be provided prior to disqualification. The notice shall inform the household member of the disqualification and the date the disqualification will take effect.

2. The local office shall also provide to the remaining household members, if any, the allotment they will receive during the period of disqualification or notice that they must reapply because the certification period has expired. The procedures for handling the income and resources of the disqualified member are described in Section 4.411.1.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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