Narratives Guidelines Overview
This document provides a standardized template for BEACON Narratives. While the details most relevant to a Narrative vary by scenario, there are essential components for every Narrative (listed below). Also included is a checklist that denotes pertinent areas that should be included in Narratives along with a list of Department approved abbreviations for use in Narratives. Please use ONLY these abbreviations to ensure consistent, understandable Narratives statewide. Outlined at the end of this document are common Narrative scenarios, including examples of Narratives for each scenario.
Essential Components for Every Narrative
| SNAP | Cash |
|---|---|
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Below is a checklist that denotes pertinent areas that should be included in Narratives when applicable.
| Checklist Item | Pertinent areas |
|---|---|
| Application or Reevaluation |
*Application date correct *Application signed by applicant *What type of reevaluation *Interview required? *Reevaluation signed by client |
| SSN |
*SSN entered and verified for all household members *Facsimile |
| Identity | *Identity verified - Grantee only |
| Expedited FS |
*Income & Assets counted appropriately *Timely issued within 7 days, if not is “Subsequent Discovery” in Narrative |
| Household |
*All Household members Purchasing & Preparing meals together identified appropriately *Non-household members coded correctly: Ineligible students, Disqualified Individuals, Roomers, Live-in attendants. |
| Citizenship | *US citizens - application signed? |
| Non-citizenship |
*Noncitizens *Eligible or Ineligible? *AU Mandatory Window Correct? *Legal SNAP disqualified Correct? *Verification appropriate *SAVE checked |
| Work Program Requirements |
*Requirement or Appropriate Exemption *Date updated |
Acceptable Abbreviations
Click the terms below for their definitions:
| Scenario | Description | Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP Application Interview |
Identify HH composition, income, and expenses being used for expedited screening (terminated or regular wages). Important: Be sure to indicate if terminated income should be taken out after expedited is released (if it is terminated). Note why household is or is not eligible for expedited (i.e. Income and assets less than 150, migrant household, or Income and assets less than combined rent/mortgage and utilities). Identify what verifications are outstanding (if a VC-1 was issued) and what verifications were already provided. Be certain to indicate what external databases were utilized. Indicate if the household already has an EBT card or if a new one was issued. |
Phone Queue-Conduct Scheduled Phone Interview action completed. SNAP Application was submitted 2/1/17. HH of 1. Registered Voter. Not disabled and declined ADA. Grantee is working 30 hours/weekly at GameStop and receives $10/hourly. Grantee is exempt from the General and ABAWD WPR through her employment. Grantee pays $1,000/monthly in Rent and is responsible for Heating/Cooling (full SUA). Rent and utilities were self-declared on signed SNAP Application. Earned income has been verified using the Work Number. Grantee is eligible for expedited benefits due to expenses exceeding income. Expedited benefits issued and EBT card has been mailed. SVES requested. Case to be processed for ongoing benefits by BEACON on next business day as there are no outstanding verifications. Follow-up action created and self-assigned to review SVES request on next business day. |
| SNAP Application | Identify method of application, results of Cold Call attempt, if an interview was scheduled, and external databases that were utilized. | Processing Queue-Process Scanned SNAP Benefits Application action completed. RFA-1 created for when SNAP Application was submitted, 2/6/17. CC attempted to households home and cell phone numbers listed on Application, No answer. General messages were left on both personalized voice mails informing household of receipt of SNAP Application and date of scheduled interview. Interview has been scheduled for Monday 2/13/17 at 9:00am. SVES requested for all five household members. SNAP Benefits Application has been dispositioned as Reviewed and Entered. Application remains pending Interview. |
| SNAP Interim Report | Identify HH composition, income, expenses, and what changes were reported. Identify what verifications are outstanding (if a VC-1 was issued) and what verifications were already provided. Be certain to indicate what external databases were utilized. | Processing Queue-Process Scanned Recertification Form action completed. Interim Report was submitted with No Changes. HH of 3-Grantee, spouse, and child. Grantee remains employed at Stop & Shop working 20 hours weekly receiving $12/hourly. Spouse remains employed at Shaws Star Market working 25 hours weekly receiving $15/hourly. Household is still responsible for $2,000/monthly in rent and Heating/Cooling (full SUA). Grantee, spouse, and child are all exempt from the General and ABAWD WPR due to Child’s age (4 years). No verifications required. Interim Report Form has been dispositioned as Reviewed and Entered. Interim Report initiated, submitted, and processed. SNAP Benefit amount remains the same. |
| SNAP Interim Report Without Changes | Identify that a Process Online Interim Report Action was received for an Interim Report without changes. | Processing Queue – Authorized Interim Report without changes. |
| SNAP Recertification | Identify results of Cold Call attempt, if an interview was scheduled and external databases that were utilized. | Processing Queue-Process Scanned Recertification Form action completed. HH of 4-Grantee and 3 children recertifying for SNAP. Completed and signed SNAP Simplified Reporting Form submitted 2/7/17. Recertification initiated. CC attempted to only listed number, spoke with grantee who was unable to complete phone interview as she was at work. Interview has been scheduled for Tuesday 2/14/17 at 4:00pm per grantee’s request. SVES requested for all households members. SNAP Recertification Form has been dispositioned as Reviewed and Entered. |
| SNAP Case Maintenance | Identify stage of case and change that is being reported by household. Indicate what follow-up or outstanding actions exist if any. | Phone Queue-Start Case Maintenance action created and completed. Household is in their certification period and is on SR-12. Grantee called to report he is now working at CVS 10 hours/weekly receiving $12/hourly effective 1/23/17 in addition to his existing position at Walgreens. Grantee reported no other household changes. Case remains HH of 2-Grantee and girlfriend. Girlfriend is still employed at Davis Vision and household rent remains $1,200/monthly and Non-heating SUA. New employment/income causes household to exceed their gross income limit. VC-1 has been issued for grantee’s new earnings. |
| SNAP Reinstatement | Identify the closure reason and list the outstanding verifications. Include why the household is eligible for Reinstatement. | Processing Queue-Process Scanned Documents action completed. SNAP case closed on 1/23/17 due to Failure to Complete Interim Report process due to outstanding earned income verification from grantee. Grantee submitted four consecutive pay stubs dating 1/13/17, 1/20/17, 1/27/17 and 2/3/17 from new employer, Staples. Interim Report has been reinstated as final required verification was submitted within 30 days from the IR denial date. Earned income has been updated. Documents have been dispositioned as Entered. Interim Report has been submitted and processed. Benefit amount decreased due to increase in household’s monthly income. |
| TAFDC Application | Always put what program the client is applying for, whether they are exempt or non-exempt, who has income or if there is no income, list assets, what they pay for rent and utilities, what was explained and any follow up necessary. | TAFDC application taken for non-exempt HH of three-Grantee, spouse, and child. No income, clients have $200 in checking account and $300 in savings account, and car. Clients pay $300/monthly in rent and heating and cooling utilities (full SUA). Grantee and spouse are both WPR because child is over the age of two. PBJS screening completed. Both adult household members are Work Ready required. Explained WPR and the Work Ready Job Search Log. VC-1 has been provided requesting verification of rent, utilities, checking and savings account and Work Ready Job Search Log. |
| TAFDC Child Care Referral | Identify the name of the ESP program the grantee is attending and how many hours a week. Identify that you have issued a child care referral. |
Grantee returned the ESP referral for the Job Search/Job Readiness Program at JVS. She has been accepted and will attend for 20 hours a week. Part-time child care referral issued. |
Last Update: June 13, 2019