The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is intended to provide food assistance to anyone in need. This will be done by providing a special card that would allow you to go to grocery stores to buy grocery foods. There is a UPC bar code on the back of most food packages, and each product has its own UPC code. In the case of butcher meats, a unique code will be provided to determine that it is a nutritional value food.
This will assume that the head of the household will be applying for benefits. They will go to the government’s website – login and select acquire GAON. They will enter the number provided by HHS. This will generate the GAON, and the head of the household will keep note of this number. If they have the smartphone app, they can also do it from the smartphone. If they don’t have the smartphone app, it might make sense to print the number and barcode, otherwise – they will have to write it down.
The head of the household will then go to an HHS office. They will fill out the application, and provide the GAON for the case worker to review. The NIN of every individual must be included in the application to provide assistance funds to the correct number of people. However, a person’s NIN can not be on another account. For example, divorced parents will have their child’s NIN only for one former partner or the other – but not both. As long as the NIN is not registere in the SNAP system, then that person can be in an application.
Determination will take about 15 minutes, and there will be little the caseworker can do with regards to denials. Once the application has been approved, a prorate will be applied to the new account immediately. The head of the household will receive their card, and enter a PIN. The PIN is intended to reduce the negative consequences of theft. Only the head of the household, and the grocery shopper should know the PIN. If the card is missing, they can use a smartphone app to lock the card. Locking the card will prevent it from being used. Marking the card as stolen will require that the head of the household to go to HHS, and acquire a new card.
If the composition of the family changes, HHS must be notified immediately. Also, if there are other programs the household needs to apply for, they will not need a GAON as they already have an assistance account with HHS. Benefits are provided on the 1st day of the month.