<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".57" citation="COMAR 07.03.17.57" title_num="07" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="17" heading="Replacement and Use of Program Benefits.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The local department may replace Program benefits when food purchased with Program benefits has been destroyed in a verified household misfortune.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A household may use Program benefits to purchase eligible foods as described in Regulation .02B of this chapter or to enable the household to participate in a nonprofit cooperative or a meal service.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A household may not use Program benefits to buy:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Alcoholic beverages;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Tobacco or cigarettes;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Household supplies, soaps, and paper products;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Medicine or vitamins;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Any other non-food items;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Food that will be eaten in the store;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Hot foods that are ready to eat unless bought from an authorized homeless meal provider in accordance with Regulation .59 of this chapter; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Pet food.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The retail food store may:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Request the purchaser to present identification when exchanging Program benefits for eligible food; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Deny the exchange if the retail food store is not convinced the purchaser has the right to use the Program benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The household may use benefits only for eligible food purchased at the time the benefits are presented.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A household may not use benefits to pay for any eligible food before receipt except when prior payment is for food purchased from a nonprofit cooperative or meal service.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>