Providing expedited service entails determining food benefit eligibility and authorizing issuance if the household is eligible so that the food benefit is available no later than seven calendar days from the date of application.  • 1  If the seventh calendar day falls on a non-working day, the last working day prior to the seventh calendar day is the last day for actions described to occur.  Households entitled to expedited service but who are ineligible for food benefits because they do not meet non-financial eligibility criteria are denied no later than 30 calendar days after the application date.

• (1) Late entitlement determination.  If the prescreening fails to identify a household as being entitled to expedited service and the worker subsequently discovers that the household is entitled to expedited service, the worker provides such service.  The processing standards described in this Section apply, except that the seven days begins on the date the household is discovered to be entitled to expedited services.
• (2) Receipt of filing page only.  When the filing page of the application form indicates the household is entitled to expedited service, the worker first attempts to contact the household by telephone to determine if they are entitled to a waiver of the office interview.
  • (A) If the household is entitled to a waiver, the worker schedules a home visit, completes the application process, and issues benefits to be received within seven calendar days.
  • (B) If the household is not entitled to a waiver, the household is requested to complete and submit the remainder of the application so it can be processed.
  • (C) The time limit for providing expedited service begins when the completed and signed application form is received.