Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 184 amends the Human Resources Code to require the Texas Department of Human Services to allow certain applicants or recipients of food stamps to certify and recertify eligibility by telephone rather than through personal appearance. The bill requires that certification or recertification by telephone be restricted to persons who have no earned income and are elderly or disabled, or are subject to a hardship. The bill defines the circumstances for a hardship, including an inability to appear in person due to a work or training schedule, transportation difficulties, or difficulties as a result of residency in a rural area.

            The bill allows the department to require a personal appearance for eligibility certification or recertification if the department determines it is necessary. The bill also requires persons to provide verification of their entitlement to the personal appearance exemption, and it requires the department to initiate a fraud referral to the department's office of inspector general if the person does not provide the verification and the department determines the verification is necessary to protect the integrity of the food stamp program.