(a) The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) follows 7 CFR §273.2(i) and expedites SNAP eligibility decisions for applicants in need of emergency food benefits.
(b) For applicants who qualify for expedited service, HHSC provides an eligibility decision no later than the workday after the application is filed.
(c) For eligible applicants who do not qualify for expedited service, HHSC provides an eligibility decision:
  (1) within seven days after application, for an applicant living in a drug or alcohol treatment center; or
  (2) within five days after release from a public institution, for a joint SNAP and Supplemental Security Income applicant released from a public institution.
(d) HHSC may choose to postpone certain eligibility steps to expedite SNAP services, including the verification of the eligibility information required by 7 CFR §273.2(i)(4). HHSC does not postpone the following requirements:
  (1) verification of the identity of the person interviewed, as required by 7 CFR §273.2(i)(4)(i)(A) to prevent duplication of benefits and other fraud; and
  (2) verification that household members who are subject to the 20-hour-per-week work requirement explained in 7 CFR §273.24 meet this requirement.

Source Note: The provisions of this §372.956 adopted to be effective September 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 5361; amended to be effective September 1, 2011, 36 TexReg 5346