A food stamps denial in North Dakota can be received by a SNAP applicant for valid or invalid reasons. When an ND food stamps application denied is received, a Department of Human Services representative has decided the applicant does not meet certain guidelines of the SNAP program. Pursuing the food stamps appeal process may be an option for denied applicants who disagree with the reasons for denial, and want to pursue action to have the decision overturned. If the North Dakota food stamps denial was issued in error, or if the applicant feels it is not justified, an appeal can be requested. When a SNAP denial appeal is requested by the denied applicant, a fair hearing trial is scheduled, so he or she can present all evidence and explain the wrongful denial. To learn more about how to appeal SNAP benefits denial in ND and the common reasons an application can be deemed ineligible for benefits, review the following sections.
Common Reasons for North Dakota Food Stamp Denials
When a food stamps application is denied in ND, the Department of Human Services provides a reason, or reasons, for the denial. After having a food stamps application denied, the applicant should review the information provided and ensure the reasons are understood thoroughly. The North Dakota food stamps appeal process should only be pursued by applicants who disagree with the reasons for denial and are prepared to prove their sides of the cases.
A food stamps denial may be issued when an applicant and his or her household do not meet the income eligibility criteria of the SNAP program. A denied SNAP application can also be issued when an applicant has a criminal background or if he or she was convicted of government assistance benefit fraud in the past. If these food stamp application denial reasons are given to a denied applicant, but he or she has proof that all eligibility criteria is still met, the appeals process may be requested. Initiating a food stamp denial appeal can also be an option for applicants denied for reasons they disagree with, including not presenting proper citizenship documentation or completing a SNAP interview in a timely manner.
Additionally, a serious reason for having an ND food stamps application denied involves the suspicion that the applicant made a false statement or did not disclose all household information on the application. In this instance, a SNAP application denial appeal may be filed if the applicant can prove that all information was provided on the application and all statements claimed were, in fact, truthful.
Learn About Notifications for a North Dakota Food Stamps Denial
After a Department of Human Services representative has reviewed an application and has decided on a food stamps denial, the rejected applicant will receive a mailed notice of this denial. The reasons the food stamps application was denied will be listed on the notification so the applicant can review them and decide if he or she agrees with the decision. Steps in the North Dakota food stamps appeal process are also outlined on the denial notification, allowing the applicant to decide if he or she wants to request an appeal to try and overturn the decision.
The SNAP benefits application denial notification is an informative document sent to denied applicants that can assist them in identifying the reasons for denial and their options to pursue reversals of the decisions. The first step in how to appeal SNAP benefits denial in ND begins with the denied applicant requesting the appeal in writing and by mail or in person at a Department of Human Services office. The SNAP application denial notification includes the contact information needed by the applicant to request the appeal. To learn more about SNAP denials, download our free guide.
How to Appeal a SNAP Denial in North Dakota
Once a denied SNAP applicant has successfully requested an appeal of the denial, he or she will receive a notice that offers the date, time and location of the fair hearing trial. After the North Dakota food stamps appeal hearing is scheduled, the applicant should begin to gather and organize evidence to present to the judge that supports his or her claims that the benefit denial is unjust. During the food stamps appeal process, a denied applicant can use the assistance and representation of a friend, a relative or a lawyer, if needed. Any fees charged during the ND food stamps denial case are the responsibility of the denied applicant, whether the SNAP benefits decision is reversed or not.
During the SNAP benefit denial fair hearing trial, the judge will take into consideration all of the evidence and explanations given by the denied applicant and the Department of Human Services representative. The judge will decide if the denied food stamp application was rightfully denied due to ineligibility, or if the denial decision should be reversed. Once a verdict is reached by the fair hearing judge, the next step in the ND food stamps appeal process includes the mailing of the official court ruling to both the denied applicant and the Department of Human Services office. If the denied food stamps application is overturned by the judge, benefits must be awarded to the applicant. If the North Dakota food stamps denial remains enacted after the appeal process, the denied applicant is still ineligible to receive SNAP benefits. Download our guide to learn more about SNAP appeals.