On occasion, it may not be possible to determine eligibility within the time frames listed in 0005.12.15 (Application Processing Standards) because clients fail or refuse to provide information. In these cases, deny assistance.

For processing delays not due to client failure or refusal to provide information, send clients written notice of the delay and its cause. The notice must also tell clients what they must do to complete the application and that they must report any changes in circumstances since they filed their application. For notice of delay time lines and when not to delay processing, see specific program provisions listed below. Also see 0026.09 (Notice of Processing Delays).

Do not delay processing pending county board action.

Do not delay processing if you are waiting for a 2nd or 3rd-level verification from the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system and the immigration documentation provided by the client makes them eligible. See 0031.30 (Verifications – Acceptable Immigration Documents), 0031.30.01 (Verifications – When to Run Save), and 0031.30.03 (Verifications – How to Run Save).


MFIP:
Send a notice of processing delay by the 30th day if the application will take more than 30 days to process.

Do not delay processing in the following situations:

●	You are waiting for IEVS verification.
●	You are waiting for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process a Social Security number application.
●	You are processing a claim of good cause for not cooperating with IV-D and the client has provided all the information and verification you need to decide the claim. Do NOT delay processing the application to wait for the final decision to grant or deny good cause.
●	You are waiting for a decision from DEED regarding the Unemployment Insurance application. Do not require proof of an Unemployment Insurance application prior to approving benefits. See 0012.12 (Applying for Other Benefits).

SNAP:
Send a notice of processing delay on the 30th day if the eligibility determination will take more than 30 days. Determine if a delay in processing is the household's fault or the county agency/tribe's fault. See 0005.12.15.06 (Determining Who Caused the Delay), 0005.12.15.09 (Delays Caused by the Applicant Household), 0005.12.15.12 (Delays Caused by the Agency), 0005.12.15.15 (Delays Caused by the Agency and Applicant).

Do not delay processing in the following situations:

●	The agency is waiting for IEVS verification.
●	The agency is waiting for SSA to process a Social Security number application.

MSA, HSP:
Send a notice of processing delay if the application will take more than 60 days for disabled people and 30 days for all other applicants.

Do not delay processing if you are waiting for IEVS verification.

GA:
Send a notice of processing delay if the application will take more than 30 days to process because of the client's inability to provide documentation. If you cannot determine eligibility by the end of the second 30-day period, deny the application. See 005.12.15 (Application Processing Standards).

Do not delay processing while you are waiting for SSA to process a Social Security number application.