105-1          VERIFICATION OF INFORMATION

105-1 A.     GENERAL

Case workers must review both financial and non-financial information provided by applicants and recipients as part of the eligibility process.  Financial information includes statements presented by the household on its resources, monthly income, and deductible expenses.  Non-financial information includes the status of the household with regard to:

• Residency in Alaska;
   

• The composition of the household;  
   

• Citizenship or alien status of household members; and
   

• Work requirements.

105-1 B.     MANDATORY VERIFICATION

For most public assistance programs, mandatory verification is required for gross nonexempt income, immigration status for any member listed on the application who is not a U.S. citizen, and some deductible expenses.

Please see the chart below for information about mandatory verifications required for different public assistance programs.  This chart is intended only as a guide.  Although documentary evidence is the preferred source of verification, alternate sources such as collateral contacts or home visits may also be used.  In some cases, verification is only required if the item to be verified is questionable.  For example, shelter costs only need to be verified if questionable.  For more detailed information about each program's verification requirements, please see the specific program manuals.

*    Resources and Shelter Expenses only need to be verified if questionable.  

**  Out-of-State Benefits must be verified when Alaska residency is questionable or an out-of-state individual moves to Alaska.

*** Only expenses, Out-of-State Benefits, Relationship and Residency for the Senior Benefits Program need to be verified if questionable.

105-1 C.     QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION

Case workers must verify any other financial or non-financial factors of eligibility prior to certification or the issuance of benefits only if they are questionable or affect a household's eligibility or benefit level.

To be considered questionable, the information provided by a applicant or recipient must be:

• Inconsistent with previous statements made by the individual;
   

• Inconsistent with other information on the current application or previous applications;
   

• Inconsistent with information received by the office from other reliable sources; or
   

• There is good reason to doubt that the information is correct.

When information from another source contradicts statements made by the household, the household must be given a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy.

When determining if information is questionable, the case worker will base the decision on each household's circumstances.  For example, a household's report of expenses which exceed its income may be grounds for requiring further information.  However, this circumstance will not, in and of itself, be grounds for denial.  The case worker is to explore with the household how it is managing its finances, whether the household receives excluded income or has resources, and how long the household has managed under these circumstances.

105-1 D.     DOCUMENTING THE VERIFICATION

Documentation is a record in the case file or on EIS Eligibility Information System of what was verified and how it was done.  Unless there is a record showing otherwise, it may be concluded that gross income or questionable information was not verified.