Notice is hereby given in accordance with § 2.2-4007.01 of the Code of Virginia that the State Board of Social Services intends to consider amending 22VAC-40-601, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This chapter establishes the framework by which local departments of social services administer the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of eligible families so that they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. The purpose of the proposed action is to repeal 22VAC40-601-50, which allows denial of applications for SNAP benefits after 30 days if the local department of social services is unable to process the application because additional information is needed. Federal regulations permit this processing method. The agency adopted 22VAC40-601-50 in 2011 as a potential local workload reduction effort. However, full comprehension of federal requirements and system changes required for implementation have extinguished the impact on work reduction outcomes. Thorough evaluation of the application denial method revealed that timing of staff work activities would shift, but not necessarily result in a reduction. This proposed action is a result of a periodic review.

The agency does not intend to hold a public hearing on the proposed action after publication in the Virginia Register.

Statutory Authority: § 63.2-217 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Comment Deadline: September 30, 2020.

Agency Contact: Celestine Jackson, Human Services Consultant, Department of Social Services, 7 North Eighth Street, Richmond, VA 23219, telephone (804) 726-7376, FAX (804) 726-7356, or email celestine.jackson1@dss.virginia.gov.