Effective Dates: 01/04/2024 - Present Previous | Next

TN 39 (06-24)

SI 01801.010 Screening Individuals for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility or Application Status

This section explains how field office (FO), workload support unit (WSU), and teleservice (TSC) employees should screen Title XVI or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applicants and recipients for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and application status.

IMPORTANT: FOs and TSCs must provide general information about SNAP to all Title II and Title XVI applicants, beneficiaries, or recipients.

A. Screening SSI applicants and recipients for SNAP eligibility and application status

Ask the required SNAP screening questions during the Title XVI application or a scheduled redetermination (RZ) interview. Do not initiate an unscheduled RZ for any SSI recipient who is not scheduled for an RZ. The fact of inquiring about filing for SNAP benefits itself does not affect SSI eligibility or create the need for an RZ. Instead, complete a stand-alone post-eligibility (PE) event in the SSI Claims System and complete the SNAP screening questions on the Potential Eligibility for Other Benefits Leads - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program screen.

In most cases, you must offer SSI applicants and recipients who are members of a pure SSI household the opportunity to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits, following instructions in SI 01801.010A.1. and SI 01801.010A.2.

Do not take a SNAP application if the applicant or recipient:

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    is currently receiving SNAP benefits and has not received a recertification notice within the past 30 days; or

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    filed for SNAP within the past 60 days.

IMPORTANT: If you contact an individual (in person or by telephone) who completed an SSI application online, you must ask the individual the SNAP screening questions. Offer to assist the individual with completing a SNAP application or recertification, if the individual lives in a pure SSI household.

For the definition of a pure SSI household, see SI 01801.005B.3.

NOTE: If the applicant or recipient has an authorized representative, see SI 01801.005B.4.

1. Member of a pure SSI household wishes to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits

Follow these instructions if a member of a pure SSI household wishes to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits.

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    Advise the applicant or recipient that they are not required to go to the local SNAP office to file for benefits and that we will assist them in completing a SNAP application or recertification.

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    Ask the required SNAP question, “May I take your SNAP application today?” Then complete the State SNAP application or recertification form.

EXPEDITED SERVICE: To see what conditions qualify as “immediate need,” or if you think the household may be entitled to this emergency process, see SI 01801.150.

2. Member of a pure SSI household does not wish to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits

If a member of a pure SSI household seems reluctant to file for SNAP benefits, follow the instructions in SI 01801.010B.1. If they refuse or decline to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits at the FO, refer them to the local SNAP office. Document the reason for the refusal on an SSA-5002 (Report of Contact) or on the RPOC screen. For common reasons why an applicant or recipient may refuse or decline to apply at the field office, see SI 01801.010B.2.

3. Applicant or recipient who is not a member of a pure SSI household wishes to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits

Refer the applicant or recipient to the local SNAP office if they are not a member of a pure SSI household but wish to apply or recertify for SNAP benefits. Be sure to give them the address and telephone number of the local SNAP office.

B. Member of a pure SSI household reluctant to file for SNAP benefits

You must offer a member of a pure SSI household the opportunity to file for SNAP benefits during the Title XVI application or redetermination interview in the office or over the telephone and when you have live contact, in person or by telephone, with an individual who completed an SSI application online.

1. When a member of a pure SSI household is reluctant to file for SNAP benefits

When a member of a pure SSI household is reluctant to file for SNAP benefits:

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    Inform the applicant or recipient of the SNAP policy for members of a pure SSI household and ask why they are reluctant to file. For examples of why people may be reluctant to file for SNAP benefits, see SI 01801.010B.2. in this section.

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    Explain that it is usually in their best interest to apply for SNAP benefits at the Social Security Administration (SSA) because it saves a trip to the SNAP office.

    EXCEPTION: In a dire need or emergency situation, an applicant may be entitled to expedited service and receive SNAP benefits faster if they go to the local SNAP office to apply or recertify for benefits (see SI 01801.150).

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    For dire need or emergency cases, annotate “SNAP - Dire Need Referral” in the Remarks section on the SSR.

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    Provide general information about SNAP and answer any questions that the applicant or recipient has, so that they may make an informed decision about filing for SNAP benefits.

    Take the SNAP application if you resolve the customer’s concerns.

    IMPORTANT: If the applicant or recipient remains reluctant and refuses or declines to file for SNAP benefits through SSA, you must document the case on an SSA-5002 or on the RPOC screen with the reason for refusal.

2. Reasons why a member of a pure SSI household may not want to file for SNAP benefits at the FO

Reasons why a member of a pure SSI household may not want to file for SNAP benefits at the FO include that they:

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    consider the local SNAP office to be more convenient;

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    already have an appointment pending at the SNAP office;

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    prefer to file for Medicaid, public assistance, and SNAP benefits all together, at one location;

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    are more familiar or comfortable with the local SNAP office; and

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    wishe to avoid possible delay in processing due to mail time of an application taken over the phone.

Try to alleviate any concerns that an applicant or recipient may have about filing for SNAP benefits at the FO and offer to complete the application or recertification for benefits.

C. References

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    MS 08119.002 Potential Eligibility for Other Benefit Leads Selection

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    MS 08119.019 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

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    MS 08122.004 Development Worksheet

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    SI 00604.006 Food Stamp-Social Security Administration/Application and Food Stamp (FS-SSA/APP and FS)-Referred Blocks

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    SI 00604.095 Completing Part V of the SSA-8000-BK (Potential Eligibility for Food Stamps/Medical Assistance/ Other Benefits) – General

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    SI 00604.096 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Formerly Known as Food Stamps): Question 58

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    SI 00605.030 Completing Part 5 Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) of the Application for Supplemental Security Income (SSA-8001-BK)

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    SM 01005.360 FS Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

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    SM 01301.855 Food Stamp Data (FS)

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0501801010
SI 01801.010 - Screening Individuals for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Eligibility or Application Status - 01/04/2024
Batch run: 09/18/2025
Rev:01/04/2024