601-4          VERIFICATION

 

For households who appear eligible, mandatory verification, including income and expense verification, must be obtained.  Verification of previously verified information that has not changed cannot be required, unless the caseworker determines the information has become questionable.  A household may not be determined ineligible solely because we cannot get the information from a third party.

 

Verification of previously verified information that is less than 60 days old and has not changed cannot be required, unless the caseworker determines the information has become questionable. Previously verified information that is 60 days old or older is considered outdated and must be re-verified. A household may not be determined ineligible solely because we cannot get the information from a third party. 

 

If the household is unable to obtain needed verification in a timely manner, the caseworker shall offer assistance in obtaining the verification. Each district office must give its toll-free telephone number to all households for purposes of assisting households to meet verification requirements.

 

Certain types of verification are considered "verified upon receipt".  This means that the information provided is not questionable, the provider is the primary source of the information, and no further information is needed to take action.  If secondary information is requested for verification in order to act on a change for another program, such as Medicaid, then by definition it is not considered verified upon receipt.

 

Note: 

If information is received from a third-party income database, such as The Work Number, but the SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program household has not reported this income, the information is considered questionable information.  Follow policy regarding questionable information outlined in SNAP MS 601-4C

 

601-4 A.     VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL APPLICATIONS

 

1. Mandatory Verification

 

For all households applying for SNAP, the following verification is required:

 

1. Identity of the individual applying

2. Residency

3. Alien status of any household member who is not a U.S. citizen;

4. Countable gross income; and

5. IPV status

 

Note:

To ensure that applicants and newly added household members have not been disqualified for an IPVIntentional Program Violation in another state, caseworkers must look up all adult applicants in IEVSInstant Eligibility Verification System prior to approving SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.

 

2. Verification Required Prior to Allowing Deductions

 

Caseworkers must obtain verification of allowable expenses when the expenses result in a deduction of countable income and an increase in the amount of benefits.   When there is no verification of the allowable expense, nor does the allowable expense cause an increase in the SNAP benefit, process the application without the expense. 

 

Households must be given an opportunity to provide the verification before the eligibility determination is made.  If the household does not provide verification of the following expenses, the application is processed without the deduction.  

 

 

Note:  

If obtaining verification of the expense, including a shelter cost, would delay processing the initial application, the household may choose to have the application processed without the deduction.  Document this request in the case record.

 

3. Information from Data Systems and EISEligibility Information System Interfaces

 

Several data systems and computer interfaces are available through the Internet and on-line EISEligibility Information System access.  Some interfaces must be checked at each application and recertification as part of the verification process.  Others only need to be checked if questionable or if certain conditions apply

 

a. Interfaces that Must be Checked

 

 

 

 

Interface

Information Verified

When to Check

Instant Eligibility Verification System (IEVS)

 

  • Provides information that may indicate questionable eligibility

At each application, recertification, and when an adult is added to the case    

Department of Labor (DOL) Unemployment

  • SAMSecure Access Manager

 

  • Unemployment Insurance Benefits
  • Unreported employment
At each application and recertification          

SDX

  • #9 on INME for EIS

  • SSISupplemental Security Income Information - SDX (Title XVI)
At each application and recertification

Permanent Fund Dividend

  • In IEVSInstant Eligibility Verification System

  • PFDPermanent Fund Dividend payments
At each application and recertification

Department of Labor (DOL) Quarterly Wage

  • In IEVSInstant Eligibility Verification System

 

  • Employment history through quarterly wage match
At each application and recertification

CSSDChild Support Services Division

  • WINSTARState of Alaska Child Support Services Division System
  • Child Support collections
  • Child support disbursements
  • Legal obligation to pay child support
At each application and recertification

SOLQState Online Query

  • #14 on INMEInquiry Menu for EISEligibility Information System

  • SSISupplemental Security Income (Title XVI) and

  • SSASocial Security Administration (Title II) benefits

At each application and recertification    

eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System

  • Intentional Program Violation (IPVIntentional Program Violation)

At each application and recertification, and when an adult household member is added to a case

SVESState Verification Exchange System

  • #13 on INMEInquiry Menu for EISEligibility Information System

 

 

 

  • Social Security Information, including quarters of work

  • Death Match

  • Prisoner Match

At each application and recertification

 

*Death Match alerts that are generated during the certification period must be processed within 10 days

 

b. Interfaces that are Checked if Questionable or under certain conditions

 

Interface

Information Verified

When to Check

BENDEX

  • #15 on INME in EISEligibility Information System

  • SSASocial Security Administration payments
At each application and recertification only if it appears the applicant or recipient could be eligible for Social Security benefits

SAVESystematic Alien Verification for Entitlements 

  • In IEVSInstant Eligibility Verification System

  • Qualified alien status of household members who are not U.S. citizens
This verification is only required for each alien at initial application and whenever an alien is added to a household

 

 

Note:

The SOLQState Online Query interface may be used only to determine eligibility for the Alaska Temporary Assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, and Adult Public Assistance programs.

 

In some situations, the information will be from the source and can be used as verification.  In other situations, the caseworker must follow-up on the information.

 

Example:

The caseworker checks the interfaces and data systems for the two members of an applicant household.  The Department of Labor system shows one is currently receiving unemployment benefits of $120 weekly.  This information is used as income verification since the information is directly from the source of the income.  The caseworker also finds that the other applicant had earnings listed for the prior quarter.  The caseworker contacts the household to determine if the person is still working and, if so, requests verification of wages.  If the person is not working, the caseworker asks why the job ended to find out if there was a recent job quit.

 

4. IPV Secondary Verification Procedure

 

Before a SNAP applicant can be denied for an active disqualification match found in eDRSElectronic Disqualified Recipient System, the agency must verify the disqualification from the primary source. Follow the Secondary Verification procedure detailed in the eDRS Online Query User’s Guide.

 

 

601-4 B.     HOUSEHOLD COOPERATION

 

To determine initial eligibility, the application form must be completed and signed, the individual or authorized representative must be interviewed, and certain information on the application must be verified.  Individuals already receiving assistance must cooperate in providing information and/or verification necessary to establish continuing eligibility.

 

If the individual refuses to cooperate in completing the application process, the application is denied at the time of refusal.  If the individual refuses to cooperate in providing information to establish continued eligibility, the individual is ineligible and the case will be closed.

 

Refusal to cooperate means the individual is able to cooperate but clearly demonstrates that he or she will not take the action that he or she can take and that the action is required to complete the application process or determine continued eligibility.  

 

If there is any question as to whether the individual refused to cooperate, the individual shall be given an opportunity to complete the application or provide the information needed to establish continued eligibility.  A notice will be sent informing the individual of the necessary action he or she needs to take, allowing at least ten days for the individual to cooperate before the application is denied or case closed.

 

601-4 C.     QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION

 

Questionable information is unclear or inconsistent information on the application that contradicts a previous application, statement made by the applicant, or other information received by the agency.  For example, the information would be considered questionable if a household's expenses continually exceed income prior to deductions.  Questionable information is not information based on race, religion, ethnic background, or national origin.  We cannot require verification of information on these bases.  

 

When questionable information from another source contradicts statements made by the household, the household must be provided an opportunity to clarify and verify their circumstances.

 

Caseworkers must verify questionable financial and non-financial factors of eligibility prior to certification when they affect a household's eligibility or benefit amount.

 

Note: 

Client statement is acceptable verification of race, ethnicity, and gender.  Refer to MS 602-1(D) for information regarding US Citizenship and Eligible Alien Status. 

 

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2024-03 (12/24)