Once your certification period expires for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), you must recertify or renew for benefits.
SNAP certifications are valid for either 12 or 36 months. It is essential to note, however, that changes in your circumstances may necessitate reporting to the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).
Timely Renewal For Continued Benefits
Within 45 days of your certification expiring, the DTA will send you a Recertification form to complete.
Currently, the COVID-19 Recertification form is sent to the majority of SNAP households. The good news is that if you receive this form, you will not be required to meet with a DTA employee.
When completing the Recertification form, you must provide information regarding changes to your address or phone number, household composition (if someone joined or departed), noncitizen status, student status, and household income.
In addition, you have the option of informing DTA about the costs associated with dependent care, housing and utilities, medical expenses, and child support payments you make.
In the majority of cases, interviews with households will be conducted via telephone, similar to the application interview procedure.
There will not, however, be a recertification interview if you are an elderly (60+) or disabled household with no earned income and you timely submitted your Recertification and required verifications.
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Interviews And Deadline Impact On Benefits
However, DTA may still schedule an interview if requested, if the provided information is questionable, or if your SNAP case is about to be closed.
To prevent interruptions in your SNAP benefits, it is imperative that you submit your recertification paperwork on time.
As long as you remain eligible, DTA should provide sufficient time to complete and submit the forms uninterruptedly.
However, if you do not return the form by the DTA deadline or submit it after the deadline, your benefits may be interrupted or terminated.
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