ABAWD - Able-bodied Adults without Dependents


ADA Coordinator - The agency employee in charge of ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


Addiction Treatment Center - A public or private non-profit residential facility for the treatment of drug or alcohol addiction.


Adequate Notice - Adequate notice is a notice of benefit decrease or closure provided to the EDG no later than the date the EDG would have received their next benefit. The notice contains all the information specified in Notice of Action.


Adjudication - A decision ordered by a judge or hearing officer.


Administrative Closure - DSS determined and entered case notes that no further action to liquidate the obligation is appropriate.


Administrative Disqualification Hearing (ADH) - A hearing held to determine if the accused individual committed an intentional program violation.


Advance Notice - A notice to the EDG that allows at least 10 days before a benefit decrease or case closure. This is the adverse action period. The first day of the 10-day adverse action period begins the day after the notice is mailed. The notice contains all the information specified in Notice of Action.


Adverse Action - Actions taken to decrease benefits or close the case.


Adverse Action Period - Notification period 10 days before a decrease in benefits or case closure.


Affidavit of Support - A form used to legally obligate one or more individuals to financially support a non-citizen to reside in the U.S.


Afghan Special Immigrant (SIV) - Special immigrant status granted by INA under Section 101(a)(27) to an individual from Afghanistan who worked with U.S. government. 


Agency Error - An overpayment caused by the agency’s action or failure to take action.


Aid and Attendance Program Payments - The Aid and Attendance Program payment provides benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require regular attendance of another individual to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature.


Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) - An optional program operated by the State to supplement the Federal SSI program.


Amerasian - An individual born in Vietnam after January 1, 1962, and before January 1, 1976, and whose father was a U.S. citizen (likely a serviceman), or such individual’s mother, spouse, or child.


Anticipate - Using the best information available to predict the EDG’s circumstances (e.g. income, expenses, etc.) in the future.


Application - A request for benefits from an individual or group of individuals.


Arrearage Child Support Payment - The amount the collection exceeds the current support obligation due to past support owed. This amount is applied to the past support owed.


Asylee - Asylees are non-citizens who sought residence in the United States in order to avoid persecution in their country of origin. Unlike refugees, who apply for and are granted the right to lawfully enter the United States while living overseas, non-citizens granted asylum applied either at a port of entry or at some point after their entry into the United States.


Authorized Point of Sale (POS) - FNS approved retailers and wholesalers where individuals use an EBT card to purchase approved foods.


Authorized Representative (AREP) - An individual authorized to apply for SNAP benefits on behalf of the EDG.


Authorized Shopper - An individual, appointed in writing by the EDG, to use the EDG’s SNAP benefits to purchase allowable food.


Authorized to Receive - Authorized to receive means an individual has been determined eligible for benefits and has been notified, even if the benefits have been:

  • authorized but not received,
  • authorized but not accessed,
  • suspended,
  • recouped, or
  • not paid because they are less than the minimum amount.