After receiving notification of a New York food stamps denial, a rejected SNAP applicant can research ways to reverse or to dispute the decision. When having a food stamps application denied for reasons that are incorrect or wrongful, the applicant will need to pursue an appeal. The food stamps appeal process can only be initiated by the applicant after a denial notification is received. The steps for how to appeal SNAP benefits denial are available for review on the denial notification and should be examined by applicants before pursuing fair hearings with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The food stamp denial appeal process requires the applicant to prove that his or her denial is wrongful through an explanation and via evidence. To learn more about how to appeal SNAP benefits denial in NY and the potential reasons a denial notification may be sent, review the following sections.
Common Reasons for New York Food Stamps Denials
A food stamps application denial occurs when an applicant does not meet all SNAP program eligibility guidelines. A denied SNAP benefits application is common when a household makes too much income and cannot claim enough deductions from expenses to meet the program’s income qualifications. A New York SNAP application denial can also occur when an applicant cannot prove his or her citizenship or residency status through proper documentation. The NY food stamps appeal process may be pursued by denied applicants if they feel the proper documentation and all eligibility requirements have been met, and that the denial is not justified.
A New York food stamps denial may also be sent to an applicant if he or she has been previously charged with government benefit fraud through the SNAP program or another financial assistance program. Appealing the SNAP benefits denial is an option for applicants who had these charges dropped or feel they were denied benefits due to criminal charges in error. A food stamps application is denied when an applicant does not successfully complete the entire SNAP application process. An in-person interview and the presentation of requested documents are both crucial in completing the food stamps application.
Learn About Notifications for a New York Food Stamps Denial
To communicate a New York food stamps denial, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance sends out a denial notice to the applicant. This SNAP benefits application denial notification outlines the reasons for denial and why the applicant did not qualify for the program. If the food stamp application denial reasons are unclear to the applicant, he or she can contact the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to learn more details about the reasons provided. If the denied SNAP application reasons are agreed upon by the applicant, he or she should not pursue further action, and may try to apply for food stamp benefits again in the future if household circumstances change.
The process for how to appeal SNAP benefits denial in New York is also provided on the notification. Applicants who disagree with the food stamps denial reasons and feel they can prove their eligibility with the program through fair hearings should follow the steps for requesting appeals. The denied SNAP application reasons can be challenged when the applicant requests an appeal from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance office by mail or in person. If submitting a written request, the NY food stamp application denial appeal letter should include the denied applicant’s name, Social Security Number, contact information and a brief explanation of why the applicant feels the denial is wrongful. Following the steps listed in the SNAP denial notification to request an appeal will start the fair hearing process for the denied applicant.
How to Appeal a SNAP Denial in New York
After mailing or verbally requesting a food stamp denial appeal in New York, a denied applicant will receive a notification about the scheduling of a fair hearing trial. To prove the NY SNAP benefits denial is wrongful, the denied applicant will need to present proof and evidence that the denial is unfair and erroneous. The presentation of food stamps denial evidence and the denied applicant’s case can be completed with the help of a family member or a friend. Additionally, the denied SNAP applicant can hire a lawyer as representation in the fair hearing, but all legal fees will be the responsibility of the denied applicant.
During the New York food stamps appeal process and fair hearing, the denied applicant and an Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance representative will present their sides of the case to an unbiased judge. The judge must decide if the SNAP application denial is justified, or if the decision should be reversed because the applicant does, in fact, qualify for the program. When the process for how to appeal SNAP benefits denial is completed, the judge will mail his or her fair hearing ruling to both parties involved in the case. Program applicants who have their SNAP benefits denials overturned after their fair hearings will then be issued program benefits. If the judge decides the denied food stamps application is justified, the decision made by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will stand, and no benefits will be awarded to the denied applicant. Download our free guide to review more details about SNAP denials and appeals.