• You may not get an interview the same day you apply.  But you always have the right to file an application.  If you have problems with getting papers that DHS needs, you have the right to ask for and receive help.
• If you have difficulty reading or speaking English, you have the right to ask for and receive help, including an interpreter. You do not have to find or use a family member or friend as an interpreter.
• If you have disabilities that make it difficult for you to read or write or communicate, you have the right to receive help.
• Food Stamp recipients have the right to ask to have their interview by phone if it would be a hardship for them to come into the office.  They should ask for a waiver of the in-person interview because of a hardship and explain what the hardship is, such as lack of transportation, they can not leave their job during work hours, a disability, etc.

Standard of Promptness Deadlines - DHS must process benefit applications within a certain number of calendar days depending on the type of benefit.  If DHS fails to process the application within the required standard of promptness, the applicant has a right to request a hearing.

• Food Assistance applications must be processed within 30 days from the date DHS receives the application - except for Expedited Food Stamps (for more infomation on if you qualify for Expedited Food Stamps, see information below). 
• FIP, Child Day Care, and Medicaid applications when a disability determination is not required must be processed within 45 days from the date DHS receives the application. 
• State Disability Assistance applications must be processed within 60 days from the date DHS receives the application. 
• Medicaid applications where a determination of disability is needed must be processed within 90 days from the date DHS receives the application. 
• State Emergency Applications must be processed within 10 days from the date DHS receives the application.

Rights for Food Stamp applicants

Need Food Stamps Right Away?   This flyer explains when and how you can get "expedited food stamps" within 7 days.

Verification of Eligibility

All DHS programs require applicants to provide certain papers to prove they are eligible.  These papers must be provided by the date set by DHS.  If you have any problems, contact your caseworker right away and ask for an extension of time and for help if you need it.

Flyer on Getting Help with Verification 

Issue Alert 07-04-02 – General Verification Rules – (April 07)

http://www.mplp.org/Issues/mplpissue.2007-04-17.7144878443

Issue Alert 08-04-03 – Less time to get verification for Medicaid – (April 08) http://www.mplp.org/Issues/mplpissue.2008-04-10.3532424140

Issue Alert 08-04-02 – DHS extends processing time for disability-related Medicaid (April 08) http://www.mplp.org/Issues/mplpissue.2008-04-10.4700610666