If an FNS unit is ineligible for benefits for the _____ month of their certification period and eligible for the second month and ongoing, then the same application can be used.

The correct choice is the first month of the certification period. When an FNS unit is ineligible for benefits in the initial month of their certification but becomes eligible in the subsequent month, they can continue to use the same application for the duration of their certification period. This provision helps to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens, allowing the unit to maintain benefits without the need for a completely new application following the initial ineligibility.

In contrast, becoming ineligible in any later month may require reevaluation of eligibility, often warranting a new application or administrative review because benefits could not be provided retroactively for those months if the unit was found eligible again after the initial disqualification. Understanding this flow is crucial for managing FNS applications effectively.