The date of application is usually the date the county or tribal agency, or an authorized person or agency, receives at least a signed page number 1 of the Combined Application Form (CAF) (DHS-5223) (PDF) or an MNbenefits application. If the application is received on weekends, holidays, or after hours, the date of application will be the next business day. Document the application date on the CAF.

EXCEPTION: If “Did Not Sign” was typed in the signature field of an MNbenefits application or the signature on the CAF did not reasonably represent the name of someone allowed to sign the application, the application cannot be used to set the date of application.

A signature is required to set the date of application. See 0005.12.06 (Who Must Sign Applications). Follow the provisions below for agency action if 1 or more signatures are missing:

●	If page 1 of the CAF is not signed, but the last signature page of the CAF is signed, set the date of application, complete the interview, and process the application.
●	If page 1 of the CAF is signed, but the last signature page of the CAF is not signed, set the date of application, complete the interview, and obtain the signature at the in-person interview or send a copy of the last signature page with a request for signature, if completing a phone interview. For expedited SNAP applications, follow TEMP Manual TE02.10.01 (Expedited SNAP w/ Pending Verif’s).
●	If there is no signature on either page 1 of the CAF or the last signature page of the CAF, the application process has not started. Do not pend the application. Return the application (or page 1 of the CAF depending on what you have received) to the applicant. The date of application will be when the applicant meets the minimum requirements as listed.

The date of application may not be the same as the beginning date of eligibility. See 0005.09 (Combined Application Form (CAF)), 0005.12 (Accepting and Processing Applications), 0005.12.03 (What Is a Complete Application), 0005.12.15 (Application Processing Standards), 0006 (Determining Financial Responsibility), 0022.12.02 (Beginning Date of Eligibility), 0022.12.03 (Proration).


MFIP, DWP
Applications received without a signature can be pended for 30 days. A signature is needed to complete the application. The date of application is the date the application is received.

When an application is completed by phone or internet telepresence, the application date is the date the application was taken. The last signature page of the CAF needs to be signed and returned within 30 days as part of the eligibility determination process. See 0005.12 (Accepting and Processing Applications).


SNAP:
The minimum requirements to set the SNAP application date are the name, address and signature on page number 1 of the Combined Application Form (CAF) (DHS-5223) (PDF) or the submittal of an MNbenefits application. For more information regarding complete signatures on the application see 0005.12.06 (Who Must Sign Applications). If a mailed-in CAF contains the applicant’s name, address, and signature, do not return it to the applicant for further information. Set the application date and schedule an interview. Screen all applications for expedited SNAP on the date of application. See 0004.06 (Emergencies – 1st Month Processing), 0005.12 (Accepting and Processing Applications), 0005.12.03 (What Is a Complete Application), 0005.12.12 (Application Interviews), 0009 (Recertification), 0022.12.03 (Proration).

●	For units that are homeless, they may write “homeless” in the address section of page number 1 of the CAF. A unit is not required to reside in a permanent dwelling or have a fixed mailing address to be eligible for SNAP.
●	Applicant households in which all members are SSI applicants or recipients may apply for SNAP at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office. The date of application is the date the SSA office receives page number 1 of the Combined Application Form (CAF) (DHS-5223) (PDF). For policy on recertifications, see 0009 (Recertification).
●	Residents of institutions who are ineligible for SNAP because they live in certain institutions may apply for SNAP within 30 days prior to their release. The date of their release from the institution is the application date.
●	The date of application for residents of Regional Treatment Centers (RTCs) is the date of the client's release.
●	When MFIP is ending but the unit remains eligible for non-PA SNAP, the SNAP application date on MAXIS is the date of the MFIP closing action. See TEMP Manual TE02.08.143 (SNAP When MFIP Is Closed).

For SNAP applicants who are also applying for RCA, see 0030.03.01 (Processing RCA Applications).


MSA, GA:
Follow general provisions.


GRH:
The date of application is the date any Minnesota county agency receives a signed and dated page number 1 of the CAF, the submittal date of an MNbenefits application or, for a person who is participant of another cash program, a signed and dated Change Report Form (DHS-2402) (PDF). See 0005.12 (Accepting and Processing Applications), 0006 (Determining Financial Responsibility).