County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HHSA CalFresh Program Guide Authorized Representatives Number Page 63113 1 of 2 Revision Date 03012023 BackgroundCustomers may choose an adult nonhousehold member as an Authorized Representative AR to act on their behalf Purpose This section provides guidance on AR requirements This section is being revised to incorporate AR information for DrugAlcohol Treatment Centers DATC and Group Living Arrangements GLA Policy The AR is designated by the customer to act on their behalf in any of the following situations Complete the application and recertification process Obtain and use the Electronic Benefit Transfer EBT card Complete required reporting such as midperiod reporting SAR7 voluntary reporting Complete any required forms 1 Designation of an AR Designation of the AR may be made in one of three ways On the application or recertification form itself Using a CalFresh AR designation form A written statement signed by the customer Households HHs may select an AR anytime during the certification period Multiple ARs may be chosen to fulfill distinct roles and responsibilities For example the AR designated to apply for the HH may be different from the AR chosen to use the EBT card The designation of the AR will remain in effect for the duration of the certification period unless the HH chooses to change the AR An AR must be an individual and cannot be an organization or agency Customers seeking assistance from CommunityBased Organizations CBO agencies residential facilities or other similar institutions must designate an individual employee of that facility as the AR The AR must have sufficient knowledge of the customers circumstances to complete the application andor recertification process Customers must be informed that the HH will be responsible for any overissuance OI that results from incorrect information given by the AR An AR may represent more than one HH The following table provides guidance on AR designations for special HH situations HH Situation AR Designation Customer has a Social Security The representative payee can act as AR but the HH Representative Payee must designate the representative payee as the AR AR provides documents such as The documents may be used to authorize a third Power of Attorney conservatorship or party to act as AR Once it has been determined that guardianship the third party has the authority to act on behalf of the customer the third party is not required to be designated as an AR Customer resides at a DrugAlcohol The resident must use an AR who is employed and Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers designated by the DATC to apply obtain and use DATC benefits The AR must be an employee of the DATC County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency HHSA CalFresh Program Guide Authorized Representatives Number Page 63113 2 of 2 and cannot be an organization or institution Customer resides at a Group Living The resident has the option to apply on their own Arrangement GLA behalf through an AR of their choice or an AR employed and designated by the GLA If the resident uses an AR designated by the GLA the AR must be an employee of the GLA and cannot be an organization or institution Note Refer to 63123 Residents of DrugAlcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers DATC and Group Living Arrangements GLA for guidance on DATC and GLA requirements 2 Verification of AR The identity of both the AR and the customer must be verified and imaged at intake recertification and whenever a new AR is appointed DATC and GLA must provide a written statement on the centers letterhead designating the AR and provide the identity of the AR 3 Restrictions on AR Designations The following individuals cannot be designated as ARs Employees involved in the eligibility determination process or retailers who are authorized to accept CalFresh benefits If no one else can act as AR a request must be sent to the CalFresh Program Manager for approval of the individual to be designated as AR Individuals disqualified for an Intentional Program Violation IPV cannot act as an AR during the disqualification periods If no one else can act as AR a request must be sent to the CalFresh Program Manager for approval of the individual to be designated as AR Employees of homeless meal service providers such as soup kitchens or shelters that are authorized to accept CalFresh benefits An AR that has been disqualified for knowingly providing false information about HH circumstances or improper use of EBT benefits cannot act as an AR during the disqualification period 3 Emergency AR Designation HHs can designate an emergency AR to obtain benefits and purchase food for a specific month The designation must be made using the CalFresh AR designation form or a written statement signed by the customer and AR References ACL 1955 MPP 63402 MPP 63503 ACIN I0818 Sunset Date This policy will be reviewed for continuance by 03312026 Approval for Release RICK WANNE Director SelfSufficiency Services