A-140, Expedited Service

Revision 23-3; Effective July 1, 2023

SNAP

Use the expedited screening questions on Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance to screen all expedited  applications. HHSC staff screen applications received in the local office. Vendor staff screen applications sent to the Document Processing Center by fax or mail. An automated system screens applications submitted online through YourTexasBenefits.com.

Applicants who meet the test for expedited services are entitled to:

  • postpone all verification until after receiving the first month's benefit, except: 
    • identity; and
    • proof they meet or are currently exempt from the SNAP ABAWD work requirement if they have already received the maximum number of benefit months without meeting the work requirement; and
  • get benefits the same day they apply, if possible, but no later than the next business day.

Exceptions: In the following situations, applicants may not get benefits within this time frame:

  • Applicants in a drug and alcohol treatment or a group living arrangement facility. Approve benefits so the resident has an opportunity to participate by the seventh day after the application date.
  • Joint SNAP/SSI applicants released from public institutions. The Centralized Benefit Services (CBS) section approves benefits so the person can participate by the fifth day after release from the institution.

Late Determinations

Additionally, applicants may not get benefits within this time frame in late determinations for expedited service. These are households that:

  • the agency did not identify as entitled to expedited service when the household filed the application. Expedited processing begins on the day the office becomes aware the applicant is entitled to this service. Do not enter a late determination date if the agency failed to properly screen the application using the expedited screening questions on Form H1010;
  • meet expedited criteria and have a household member who served the minimum employment and training penalty, but the household has chosen to delay their certification until all disqualified members have signed Form H1808, Agreement to Follow SNAP Work Rules;
  • require an interview, but HHSC must mail the application back to the household for signature. The late determination date is the date the applicant returns the signed application;
  • mail or drop off Form H1010 or Form H1010-R, Your Texas Works Benefits: Renewal Form. Contact the applicant to conduct an interview. If the applicant cannot be contacted by phone, mail Form H1830-FA, Application/Review/Expiration/Appointment Notice, the same day the application is screened. The interview must be completed and benefits provided to an eligible applicant by the seventh calendar day from the file date. If the household also applies for TANF or a Medicaid program that requires an interview, schedule a regular TANF or Medicaid appointment on the same notice;
  • miss their expedited appointment. If the applicant later contacts the office to complete an interview, expedited processing begins the day the applicant contacts the office for an interview;
  • do not provide acceptable proof of identity, or proof of meeting or being exempt from the SNAP ABAWD work requirement, as explained in the beginning of this section. Expedited processing begins when the applicant provides the required proof;
  • are not eligible for expedited processing when screened for expedited services at the time of application but meet expedited criteria later in the application month because of a change in household circumstances after the application was submitted. The late determination date is the date the eligibility for expedited processing is met; or
  • submitted an application through YourTexasBenefits.com when the office was closed due to weather-related conditions, flooding or other similar situations. The late determination date is the first business day the office reopens following the office closure.

Notes:

  • Enter the late determination date in TIERS for late determinations caused by the applicant, resulting from a change in the household's circumstances or due to office closures, as explained above.
  • Except for delays in screening due to office closure, enter the late determination date only if HHSC, the vendor or YourTexasBenefits.com screened the application on the file date or no later than the next business day.
  • The late determination date becomes day zero in determining timeliness on expedited applications.

TP 40

Expedite applications for Medicaid from women applying for current or ongoing coverage due to a pregnancy. These applicants are entitled to:

  • have their eligibility determined no later than 15 business days from the date HHSC receives the application; and
  • postpone all verification, except identity, until the 30th calendar day from the application file date. Note: Postponing verification only applies to current and ongoing coverage. For prior coverage, take action by the 15th business day. Deny the application if the applicant does not provide verification and reopen denied applications within two years at the applicant's request.

Note: An interview is not required when processing a TP 40 application.

Related Policy

Application Signature, A-122.1  
Postponed Verification Procedures, A-145.1  
Medicaid Coverage for the Months Prior to the Month of Application, A-830  
ABAWD Referral Process, A-1831.1.2  
Counting Months Toward Time-Limited Eligibility, A-1950  
Regaining Eligibility, A-1960  
Residents of D&A Facilities, B-441  
Residents of GLA Facilities, B-442

A—141 Expedited Eligibility Criteria

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Applicants are entitled to expedited service if they meet one of the following criteria:

  • The household's:
    • liquid resources total $100 or less, and
    • countable gross monthly non-converted income totals less than $150. Note: When determining eligibility for expedited services, staff must count the actual amount of TANF the individual actually receives.
  • The household's liquid resources plus actual, non-converted countable gross monthly income total less than the most recent monthly expenses for rent/mortgage and utilities. Staff should include the standard telephone allowance for households with a telephone expense.
  • The household includes a migrant or seasonal farmworker and meets the destitute criteria listed in A-146, Expedited Policy for Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers.

An individual who reapplies within the last month of a current certification period is not eligible for expedited service.

TP 40

All applications for Medicaid from women applying for current or ongoing coverage due to a pregnancy are eligible for expedited processing.

A—142 Limit on Expedited Certification

Revision 22-2; Effective April 1, 2022

SNAP

A household may receive expedited services any number of times if, before the expedited certification, the household:

  • completes the verification requirements postponed at the last expedited certification; or
  • was certified under the usual 30-day processing standards since the last expedited certification.

The household may provide the postponed verification after denial and qualify for expedited services at a later application.

Notes:

  • The household may re-apply without submitting a new application until the 60th day after the file date, when an expedited application with postponed verification is denied for failure to provide requested information or verification.
  • The household may re-apply without submitting a new application until the 60th day after the file date. Reopen the application using the date the person provided verification as the new file date. If the household submits another application, consider the second application a duplicate. Follow related policy.
  • If the information satisfies the verification requirements postponed at the last expedited certification, the household is eligible for expedited services.
  • The household may re-apply without submitting a new application until the 30th day following the last benefit month if a redetermination is denied for:
    • failure to provide requested information; or
    • for a missed appointment.
  • If the household submits another application, staff must consider the second application a duplicate and follow related policy.

Related Policy

Receipt of Duplicate Application, A-121.2  
Reuse of an Application Form After Denial, B-111  
Pending Verification on Applications, B-115  
Delays Caused by Households, B-122.3

A—143 How to Determine Eligibility for Expedited Service

Revision 14-1; Effective January 1, 2014

SNAP

  YesNo
1.Does the applicant's Form H1010, Texas Works Application for Assistance — Your Texas Benefits, and statement indicate eligibility for expedited service based on eligibility criteria in A-141, Expedited Eligibility Criteria?Go to step 2.Stop, use normal 30-day processing procedures.
2.Did the applicant already receive SNAP this month?Stop, use normal 30-day processing procedures.Go to step 3.
3.Did the applicant receive expedited service before?Go to step 4.Go to step 5.
4.Did the applicant provide all postponed verifications from previous certification, or did HHSC certify the applicant under normal 30-day processing since the last expedited certification?Go to step 5.Stop, use normal 30-day processing procedures.
5.Was the SNAP EDG denied at redetermination for a missed appointment or for failure to provide requested information, and is it still within 30 days of the last benefit month?Stop, this application is a duplicate application. Follow reuse of application policy.Go to step 6.
6.Does the applicant or AR being interviewed have proof of identity?Go to step 7.Not eligible for expedited service until he provides proof.
7.If an applicant age 18 to 50 has already received the maximum number of benefit months without meeting the work requirement, did the applicant verify that the applicant is exempt from or meets the 20-hour-per-week work requirement (even if the AR applies)?Go to step 8.Not eligible for expedited service until he provides proof.
8.

Issue benefits today. Postpone all other verification that is:

  • not provided at the interview, or
  • not acceptable.
  

TP 40

All applications for Medicaid from women applying for current or ongoing coverage due to pregnancy are eligible for expedited processing.

Related Policy

Receipt of Duplicate Application, A-121.2  
Reuse of an Application Form After Denial, B111  
Delays Caused by Households, B122.3  
Denied for Missed Appointments, B122.3.1  
Denied for Failure to Provide Information/Verification, B122.3.2

A—144 Expedited Verifications

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP and TP 40

See A-140, Expedited Service.

A—144.1 Social Security Numbers (SSNs)

Revision 20-2; Effective April 1, 2020

SNAP

Include household members for the initial month, or initial two months if household members are receiving a combined allotment. This is true even if the household members fail to provide or apply for an SSN at the interview or if State Online Query (SOLQ) does not validate a member’s SSN at the interview. Follow policy outlined in A-413, Social Security Number (SSN) Validation Through State Online Query (SOLQ), if the SSN does not validate at the interview.

Disqualify people who fail to provide or apply for an SSN without good cause or do not provide information to clear the discrepancy related to a SSN validated with verification code F or X before the next monthly issuance. See A-410, General Policy, for rules for children age six months or younger and good cause.

TP 40

Certify a pregnant woman by the 15th working day from the application file date to meet expedited processing timeframes even if:

  • she fails to provide or apply for an SSN; or
  • her SSN is verified with verification code F or X and unable to clear the discrepancy by viewing case documentation or contacting the household by phone. Postpone verification needed to clear the discrepancy.

Deny the woman’s eligibility if by the postponed verification due date she fails to:

  • provide or apply for an SSN; or
  • provide information to clear the discrepancy related to a SSN validated with verification code F or X.

Related Policy

Postponed Verification Procedures, A-145.1  
General Policy, A-410  
Social Security Number (SSN) Validation Through State Online Query (SOLQ), A-413

A—144.2 Work Registration

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors should register the applicant being interviewed for work unless:

  • the applicant is exempt from work registration, or
  • an AR is applying for the household.

Advisors should register other household members if possible. Advisors should postpone registration for the initial month if it cannot be completed within the expedited time frames.

A—144.3 Citizenship

Revision 16-2; Effective April 1, 2016

SNAP

Household members whose citizenship/eligible alien status is questionable can receive expedited benefits with the household. These household members must provide verification of citizenship/eligible alien status before the next month's benefits are issued or be disqualified.

TP 40

Citizenship/eligible alien status must be verified using policy in A-350, Verification Requirements, for pregnant women who declare to be a U.S. citizen or declare to have an eligible alien status. If a pregnant woman does not provide proof of citizenship or alien status and:

  • no other information is required to determine eligibility, she is provided a period of reasonable opportunity as explained in A-351.1, Reasonable Opportunity.
  • other information is required to determine eligibility, she is allowed to postpone verification (except identity) until the 30th calendar day from the application file date, as explained in A-145.1, Postponed Verification Procedures. If during that time she returns the other information, but not proof of citizenship or alien status, she is certified, sent Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, and provided a period of reasonable opportunity at that time.

Related Policy

Reasonable Opportunity, A-351.1

A—144.4 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 20-2; Effective April 1, 2020

A—144.5 Pregnancy

Revision 18-1; Effective January 1, 2018

TP 40

Accept the individual’s (pregnant woman’s, case name’s or AR’s) verbal or written statement of pregnancy as verification, unless questionable. The woman’s statement would be questionable if the information provided regarding the due date is discrepant, such as the pregnancy start month and pregnancy end month are less than or more than nine months apart or if the woman reports a pregnancy with overlapping start and end months.

The individual’s statement of pregnancy must provide the following information:

  • Name of woman who is pregnant
  • Pregnancy start month and/or anticipated date of delivery
  • Number of expected children

If questionable, advisors must verify pregnancy by using:

  • Form H3037, Report of Pregnancy; or
  • other documentation containing the same information as Form H3037.

The verification must be from an acceptable source such as:

  • a physician;
  • a hospital;
  • a family planning agency; or
  • a social service agency.

A physician, nurse, advanced nurse practitioner or other medical professional must sign Form H3037 or another document for it to be considered verification from a medical source. If another medical professional completes the form, the advisor must ensure that information about the supervising physician is provided.

Staff must use the following procedures when certain information regarding pregnancy is not provided on an application for benefits.

  • If the only item missing on the application form is the pregnancy start month, staff must count nine months back from the pregnancy end month to determine the pregnancy start month. The pregnancy end month is month zero.
  • If the only item missing on the application form is the pregnancy end month, staff must count nine months from the pregnancy start month to determine the anticipated date of delivery. The pregnancy start month is month zero.
  • If both the pregnancy start and end months are missing, attempt to obtain the information by phone. If unable to obtain the information by phone, send Form H1020, Request for Information or Action, to request the information.

Related Policy

Verification Requirements, A-870

A—145 Expedited Certification Procedures

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must assign usual certification periods even if staff postpones verifications. See A-2324, Length of Certification, for certification period policy.

Advisors must issue the second month's benefits as a combined allotment as explained in A-150, Combined Allotment Policy, if the household applies after the 15th of the month and benefits are prorated.

TP 40

If an applicant provides the minimum information required to process the application, the advisor may certify the application before the 15th workday and allow postponed verification.

Advisors must deny the application no later than 15 workdays if:

  • the information provided indicates the applicant is not eligible, or
  • not enough information was provided to determine eligibility.

Advisors must reopen applications denied because there was not enough information provided if the information is received within 60 days of the file date.

Advisors must use the date the information is provided as the new file date, and follow the expedited processing guidelines.

Note: An interview is not required when processing a TP 40 application.

A—145.1 Postponed Verification Procedures

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

Advisors must provide Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, stating:

  • what information is needed;
  • the date it is needed; and
  • that the individual must provide the information before the issuance of benefits for the:
    • second month; or
    • third month, if the applicant received a combined allotment.

TIERS identifies and holds benefits for the second month for households not issued a combined allotment or the third month for combined allotment households. See A-150, Combined Allotment Policy.

A-145.1 Postponed Verification Procedures Table

If the household furnishes the postponed verification and the ...then ...
second month is on hold,enter the information and dispose the SNAP EDG within five days or by the first workday of the second month, whichever is later.
third month is on hold (for combined allotment situations),enter the information and dispose the SNAP EDG.

If the household provides postponed verification that results in lowered or denied benefits, see B116.1, Information Received During Expedited Application Processing.

If the household does not provide postponed verifications within 30 days of the application date, advisors must:

  • disqualify the individual when appropriate, or
  • deny the SNAP EDG for failing to provide postponed information and send the individual adequate notice using Form TF0001.

A household denied for failure to provide postponed verification must submit a new application to receive benefits if the household does not provide the postponed verification by the 60th day from the file date. If the household provides the verification by the 60th day, advisors must reopen the application using the date the household provided the verification as the new file date.

An individual receiving adequate notice of adverse action as noted above cannot receive continued benefits pending appeal.

TP 40

Advisors must provide Form TF0001, stating the:

  • eligibility start and end date,
  • postponed verifications, and
  • date the verifications are due.

If the individual does not provide verification by the 30th day following the file date, the advisor must initiate adverse action. Advance notice is required. The individual must reapply if the verification is not provided by the expiration of the adverse action.

If the individual provides verification by the 30th day following the file date but does not meet eligibility requirements, the advisor must provide advance notice of adverse action and deny ongoing coverage.

Note: Advisors must not deny the EDG if the individual is eligible in the application month or one of the three prior months.

A—146 Expedited Policy for Migrant or Seasonal Farmworkers

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

The expedited processing procedures apply to migrant or seasonal farmworkers except for the following:

  • If verifying something other than identity and the source of verification is out of state, the advisor postpones verification until after the household receives the second month's benefit. Advisors should use this procedure for only one two-month postponement during one round-trip from home.
  • Households with a migrant or seasonal farmworker are destitute if they have $100 or less countable liquid resources and meet any of the following:
    • The household's only income for the application month is from a terminated source, and the household will not receive any more payments from that source after the application date.  

      Advisors should consider terminated income if it is usually received:

      • monthly or more often but will not be received from that source the following month, or
      • at intervals of more than one month but will not be received from that source in the next usual payment period.


      Advisors should not consider terminated income in the following situations:

      • Someone changes jobs while working for the same employer;
      • A self-employed person changes contracts or has different customers without having a break in normal income cycle; or
      • Someone receives regular contributions, but the contributions are from different sources.
    • Note: When determining destitute status, advisors do not consider terminated income if a payment from the same source will be received after the file date in the month of application.
    • All household income in the application month is from a new source, and the household will receive income of $25 or less from the first of the month up to and including the 10th day after the application date (or the end of the month if there are not 10 days left in the month).  

      Income received monthly or more frequently is from a new source if the household did not receive $25 or more from that new source in the 30 days up to and including the application date.  

      Income received at intervals of more than one month is new income if the household has not received more than $25 from that source between the last usual payment month and the application date.  

      Advisors count new income received after the application date to determine whether the individual is destitute, but disregard it in determining eligibility and benefits for the month of application.
    • The household has a combination of terminated income through the application date and new income after the application date if:

      • there is no other income from the terminated source that month, and
      • the household will receive income of $25 or less from the new source from the first of the month through the 10th day after the application date (or the end of the month if there are not 10 days left in the month).

      At recertification, advisors disregard income from a new source in the first month of the certification period if that income will not exceed $25 within 10 days after the individual's usual issuance cycle.  

      Notes:

      • Advisors count an advance of wages for travel expenses as income unless it is a reimbursement.
      • Advisors do not consider the advance in determining whether the household is destitute or in determining whether later payments from the employer are from a new source.
      • Self-employed farmworkers whose income is annualized are not destitute if they do not receive income each month of the year.
      • The grower, not the crew chief, is the farmworker's source of income. An individual who follows a crew chief to a new grower is leaving a terminated source for a new source.

The policies in this section apply to income determinations for destitute applicants at initial and later certifications but only in the first month of any certification period.

A—147 Expedited Eligibility and Enrollment of Active Duty Military Members and Their Dependents

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

Medical Programs – All Except Emergency Medicaid and TP 56

All applications for Medicaid from active duty military members and their dependents applying for coverage are eligible for expedited processing.

Active duty refers to military members who currently are serving full time in their military capacity. A military member is defined as someone in the:

  • U.S. Armed Forces/Reserves
    • Army
    • Marine Corps
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Coast Guard
  • National Guard
    • Army
    • Marine Corps
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Coast Guard
    • Reserve/Guard
  • Army National Guard
  • Air National Guard
  • State Military Forces/Texas State Guard
    • Texas State Guard – Unless activated by the governor and placed on paid state active duty, these personnel receive no compensation for their time.
    • Texas Army National Guard
    • Texas Air National Guard

When an application for Texas Works medical assistance is received and includes an active duty military member, staff should take the following action on or before the 15th workday of the application file date:

  • Provide an interview if requested or required;
  • Send/provide Form H1020, Request for Information or Action, to request missing information if no interview was requested or required and the household did not provide information with the application; and
  • Send/provide Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, if the household provided all verification with the application and no interview was requested or required.

Military status is self-declared. Additional verification is not required.

Advisors should use processing time frames stated in B-112, Deadlines, if the household did not provide all required information and verification with the application.

The expedited processing requirement does not apply to TP 56 (Medically Needy with Spend Down) or to Emergency Medicaid for ineligible aliens, and only applies to applications and untimely reviews/renewals.

A household is not eligible for expedited processing if the military member is on active duty because of training as a member of the Reserves, National Guard, or State Military Forces.

When an application consists of a pregnant member and an active duty member, advisors use TP 40 expedited application processing time frames.

Advisors provide expedited processing for a Medicaid application if the budget group includes the needs of an active duty member even if the active duty member is not included in the certified group.

Advisors must not pend an application if the household:

  • fails to answer the Yes/No question and name/designation. Advisors must not process the application using expedited time frames. If the Yes/No question is left blank, advisors enter No in the system.
  • fails to answer the Yes/No question but provides a name or information that can be used to determine who the active military member is. Advisors should assume that the answer is Yes and process the application using expedited time frames.
  • answers Yes to the question but does not provide a name or information that can be used to determine who the active military member is. Advisors must not process the application using expedited time frames.

When an interview is scheduled timely within 15 workdays, but the applicant requests to reschedule the interview, staff should attempt to accommodate the rescheduled appointment within the 15-workday time frame. If, at the household’s request, the interview is rescheduled after the 15-workday time frame, staff should document the reason for not scheduling the appointment within the required time frame.

Note: For requested interviews, if the applicant requests to be rescheduled, staff should inform the household that an interview is not required and that the processing of the application can begin without an interview. Staff must not deny an application if the household fails to show for the appointment when an interview is not required.