MFIP, MSA, GA, HSP:

No provisions.

SNAP:

Counties and Tribal Nations may accept a verbal signature from an adult member of the SNAP unit or a designated Authorized Representative to sign applications, renewals, and recertification forms without the need for an audio recording of the household’s attestations and agreements to the information provided. When an adult member of the SNAP unit provides a verbal signature, they are attesting to the accuracy of the information they have provided on the application, renewal, or recertification form.

Note: Verbal signatures are NOT allowed for other documents and forms such as an Authorization to Release Information, where a written or electronic signature is still required.

When utilizing the verbal signature option workers must notate both on the form and in case notes:

• that a verbal signature was obtained
• which household member(s) provided the verbal signature
• the date and time the signature was given
• a summary of the information provided on the form, and
• the household’s agreements or disagreements of the information provided.

In addition to noting the information above, a copy of the completed application, renewal, or recertification form MUST be sent to the household along with instructions for correcting errors or omissions.

Office Support Staff (OSS) are also able to assist applicants with setting the date of the form and answering all the questions with the client over the phone. The OSS is allowed to take a verbal signature for application, renewal or recertification purposes only and cannot complete the interview to determine eligibility for SNAP.

The OSS should explain this to the applicant so they understand an eligibility worker will be calling back for a phone interview. The OSS should ask each question on the application, renewal, or recertification form and mark the client’s answers without suggestions regarding program eligibility. The OSS must remain neutral and let the client know the eligibility worker will answer program specific questions during the interview.

When accepting a verbal signature, eligibility workers may complete the application, renewal, or recertification form over the phone and interview at the same time. All the informational sections on the application, renewal, or recertification form must also verbally be reviewed with the client while they are on the phone. This includes the penalty warnings and qualification questions. See 0005.12.12 (Application Interviews).

For system instructions, see POLI/TEMP TE02.05.25 (Verbal Signatures for SNAP).