105-4          FEE AGENT VERIFICATION

Fee Agents may testify in writing that, by his or her own personal knowledge, the applicant meets a factor of eligibility. Fee Agents are instructed to provide this type of verification when another source of testimony or evidence is unavailable. This written testimony requires the Fee Agent's signature.

For example, the Fee Agent can sign a statement that the father of the children left the village to seek work. The Fee Agent could have personal knowledge that the father left on last week's mail plane.

Signed verification statements by Fee Agents should be accepted as sufficient unless the caseworker has good reason to believe that the statement is incorrect or unless the caseworker is reasonably certain the Fee Agent has overlooked another source of verification. If either of these situations is likely, the caseworker should contact the Fee Agent and make further inquiry.

The Fee Agent's signed verification must be maintained in the case file.

Verification (including citizenship) can be primarily obtained through electronic interface, or other sources such as third parties. When an individual submits an application or reports a change in household, most eligibility requirements will be verified through electronic interfaces. If eligibility cannot be verified electronically or secondary verification needed, the household may be required to provide verification that they meet eligibility requirements.

Note:

A household has primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support statements made and to resolve questionable information.