Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 16, 2024
(A)
What happens when
an assistance group member refuses or fails to provide a social security
number (SSN) ?
(1)
When an assistance group member refuses or fails to
provide his or her SSN, he or she, as an individual, is ineligible to
participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) unless they
provide good cause as described in paragraph (C) of this rule.
(2)
The
disqualification applies to the individual for which the number is not provided
(including the child who is under eighteen whose parent has refused or failed
to cooperate for him or her) and not to the entire assistance
group.
(3)
The earned or unearned income and resources of an
individual disqualified for failure to comply with this requirement is to be
treated as in accordance with rule
5101:4-6-13 of the
Administrative Code. Prior notice requirements are to be followed before the
assistance group's benefit level can be decreased.
(4)
The disqualified
assistance group member may become eligible upon providing the county agency
with an SSN.
(B)
How is good cause determined?
In determining when good cause exists for failure to comply
with the SSN requirement, the county agency shall consider information
from:
(1) The assistance group
member;
(2) The social security
administration (SSA); and
(3) The
case file (especially
when the county agency failed to refer the
assistance group member to SSA, or SSA did not process the referral and/or SSN
application in a timely manner).
(C) What is considered good cause?
Documentary evidence or collateral information that the
assistance group member has applied for a SSN or made every effort to supply
SSA with the necessary information to complete an application for a SSN shall
be considered good cause for not complying on a timely basis with this
requirement.
(D) What is
not considered good cause?
Good cause does not include delays due to illness, lack of
transportation or temporary absences. SSA makes provisions for mail-in
applications in lieu of applying in person.
(E) How is good cause handled?
(1)
When the assistance group member
demonstrates good cause for why an application has not
been completed in a timely manner, the assistance group member shall be
allowed to participate for one month in addition to the month of
application.
(2) When an assistance
group member applying for a SSN has been unable to obtain the documents
required by SSA, the county agency shall make every effort to assist the
individual in obtaining these documents.
(3) The assistance group must demonstrate
good cause for failure to apply each month in order for the assistance group
member to continue to participate.
(4) Once an application has been filed, the
county agency shall permit the member to continue to participate pending
notification of the assistance group member's SSN.
(5) When an assistance group is unable to
provide proof of application for a SSN for a newborn, the assistance group
shall provide the SSN or proof of application at its next
recertification or within six months following the
month the baby is born, whichever is later. When an assistance group is unable
to provide a SSN or proof of application for a SSN at its next
recertification or within six months following the
baby's birth, the county agency shall determine if there is good
cause.