<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".14" citation="COMAR 07.03.17.14" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="17" heading="Filing an Application for the Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The household:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall file a Program application by submitting the form to the local department either in person, through an authorized representative, by fax, by mail, through SAIL, or by completing an on-line electronic application in the local department; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Has the right to file an application form, during office hours, on the same day it contacts the local department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The local department shall allow an eligible household that completes the initial application process to participate as soon as possible but not later than 30 calendar days following the date that the application was filed.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A household in which all members are recipients of SSI may apply for Program benefits at a Social Security office, if the household:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Has not applied for the Program in the preceding 30 days; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Does not have an application pending at a local department.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The request for an application may be made:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In person;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>By telephone;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>By mail; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>By an authorized representative.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Responsibilities of the Applicant. The applicant shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Complete the application form as described in this regulation;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Have an interview with a local department representative as described in Regulation .15 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Provide the required verification as described in Regulation .20 of this chapter; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Complete any required work registration as described in Regulation .21 of this chapter.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A completed application includes:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Required verifications;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Required work registrations; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The completed and signed application form.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Responsibilities of the Local Department. The local department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Furnish the application form to the applicant on the same day, directly or by mail, when the request is made by telephone or mail;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Advise the applicant that the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Applicant does not have to be interviewed before filing the application, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Application form is counted as filed when the form contains the applicant's name and address, and is signed by a responsible member of the household or the household's authorized representative;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Receive the application, date it, and determine if it is complete;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Screen applications to determine if an applicant needs expedited service as described in Regulation .19 of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Arrange the appointment for any required face-to-face interview; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Provide a list of required verifications and assist the household in obtaining the necessary verifications.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>When the entire household is also applying for public assistance, the local department shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct a single interview at application and recertification, whenever possible; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Apply the time limits and Program requirements to the FSP part of the application.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>The date the application form is received at the local department is the filing date, except that for a household in which all members are recipients of SSI, the application shall be considered filed when the Social Security office receives the application form.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>An SSI household that has applied for food stamp benefits at the Social Security office may not be:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Required to see a local department eligibility worker;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Interviewed by the local department;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Contacted by the local department for certification information unless:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The application is improperly completed,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Mandatory verification is missing, or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The local department determines that certain information on the application is questionable; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Required to appear at the local department before the eligibility determination can be made.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>Withdrawing an Application for the Program. The household may withdraw the application at any time before the eligibility determination without prejudice to any subsequent application.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>