<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".12" citation="COMAR 10.54.01.12" title_num="10" subtitle_num="54" chapter_num="01" heading="Application Processing Procedures.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A local agency shall perform the certification process at no cost to the applicant.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>To lend administrative efficiency and participant convenience to the certification process, a local agency shall, whenever possible, use intake procedures for processing applications that are combined with intake procedures for other health programs or services administered by the local agency. These procedures may include:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Verification procedures;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Certification interviews; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Income computations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>When a local agency is not serving its maximum case load, the local agency shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Accept an application;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Arrive at an eligibility determination;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Notify the applicant of the decision made; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Issue food instruments pursuant to the terms set forth in §E of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>To ensure that accurate records are kept of the date of an application, the local agency shall, at the time of each visit record the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Applicant's name;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Applicant's address; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Date of the visit.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Time Frames.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A local agency shall notify a special nutritional risk applicant of an eligibility or ineligibility determination within 10 days of the date of the application for Program benefits, except that the State agency may provide an extension of the notification period to a maximum of 15 days for the local agency that makes a written request which includes a justification of the need for an extension; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A local agency shall notify other applicants of their eligibility or ineligibility within 20 days of the date of the application for Program benefits.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>If, during a certification visit, a local agency determines that an applicant is ineligible for the Program, the local agency shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Inform the special nutritional risk applicant within 10 days of the certification visit, and other applicants within 20 days of the certification visit, of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Applicant's ineligibility;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Reason for ineligibility; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Applicant's right to a fair hearing on the ineligibility determination;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Document the reasons for ineligibility; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Retain this information on file at the local agency.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>At the same time an applicant completes the certification process and the local agency determines the applicant to be eligible for Program benefits, the local agency shall issue benefits for up to 90 days.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>