Processing Cases with Only Optional Verifications Outstanding

When all mandatory verifications are received for a pending SNAP application, recertification or interim report, but optional verifications remain outstanding, you must ensure that the following procedures have been adhered to.

SNAP Application

SNAP applications with outstanding optional verification must NOT be processed until day 30. An exception to this is if:

  • the outstanding optional verification is an expense item (such as rent or dependent care), and the applicant would receive the maximum SNAP benefit amount for the household size without receiving credit for the outstanding verification; or
  • the outstanding optional verification is for General or an ABAWD Work Rules exemption or participation, and the case would not get denied for Fail to comply with SNAP Work Program requirements if the verification remained outstanding.

If the household would not receive the maximum SNAP benefit for the household size or the application would be denied without credit for unverified expense(s), do not approve or deny the application until day 30 (or receipt of all verification). If the household will get denied if participation or exemption is unverified, do not process the case until day 30 (or receipt of all verification).

If and when optional verification is received, update the case and recalculate the benefit as a case maintenance activity.

SNAP Recertification or Interim Report

SNAP Recertifications and Interim Reports must be processed as soon as all mandatory verification has been received.

Optional verification(s) submitted after processing will result in a case maintenance activity requiring the case to be updated and benefits recalculated.

Important: If the registration reason is Drop-Off Document, a Notification is automatically sent to the RC. The RC must inform the client that they may use the scanner located in the Reception Area and assist the client in using the scanner, if needed. Clients must know their AP ID when scanning documents.

For details on the procedures for requesting and entering optional items at recertification or IR, see Simplified Reporting – Recertification and Simplified Reporting – Interim Report.

Examples

Example 1: Obie Martell (he/him) submits a SNAP application for a household of 2. Obie's gross income is $1000 per week, verified through the Work Number. Obie also is responsible to pay $2000 per month for rent, he pays for heat his apartment and pays $500 per month in child support expenses for his 3 daughters who do not live with him. He submits proof of all mandatory verifications and only outstanding verification is for his child support expenses.

Mr. Martell’s application can be processed without receiving credit for his child support expenses because his household would receive the maximum amount of benefits based on the information provided.

Example 2: Seth Clegane (he/him) submits his April 2025 recertification and declares that he is now responsible to pay $200 per month in medical expenses. He provides verification for his prescriptions that are $45 per month, but does not verify the remaining medical expenses. Seth will get the SMD. Since all mandatory verifications have been provided and the only outstanding verification item is optional (medical expenses), the case is processed and a VC-1 is issued for his optional medical expenses. Seth submits his medical expenses after his benefits released for April 2025. You must recalculate the case, give credit for the medical expenses, and issue a related benefit if there was a difference in benefits.

Last Update: May 20, 2026