The Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA) evaluates application processing timeliness as part of the quality control (QC) review process. State QC reviewers evaluate timeliness during the state QC case review. Timeliness is calculated by dividing the number of applications timely processed by the number of applications subject to the timeliness measure. An application is considered processed timely if the household has an opportunity to participate within 30 days of the application date for regular processing or within seven days of the application date for expedited service. This measure is not a strict measure of regulatory compliance. In some cases, applicant-caused delays (such as missing an interview on an expedited application) may result in the action being coded as untimely although the state agency was in full compliance with program regulations. Applications that are properly pended for the household’s failure to provide verification are excluded from the measure.