SECTION 372.654. SNAP-CAP Certification Process

(a) The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Centralized Benefit Services unit processes SNAP-CAP applications without requiring an interview and without the involvement of the local HHSC office (except in special situations when local office assistance is requested).

(b) HHSC certifies eligible applicants as single person households.

(c) Using Social Security Administration data obtained under Supplemental Security Income regulations, HHSC certifies eligible applicants for 36 months of benefits at a time.

(d) HHSC provides each SNAP-CAP recipient a standard monthly benefit amount, as approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. The SNAP-CAP benefit amount is a set amount based on what the average SNAP benefit amount would be under the regular SNAP policy. A recipient with high shelter costs may receive a higher standard benefit amount than a recipient with lower shelter costs, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service.

(e) HHSC sends the applicant a notice of eligibility upon certification.

Source Note: The provisions of this §372.654 adopted to be effective September 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 5361