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.

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.

The signed application can be used as a source of verification and provides adequate documentation when the household is ineligible.  This includes cases when income or resources exceed maximum eligibility standards after applicable deductions are allowed.  The application can be denied without further verification.

601-4 A.     VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INITIAL APPLICATIONS

1. Mandatory Verification

For all households applying for food stamps, 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; and
    

4. Countable gross income.

2. Verification Required Prior to Allowing Deductions

Except for shelter costs that are not questionable, 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.  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.  

1. Dependent care expenses.
    

2. Deductible child support payments.
    

3. Shelter costs, and household responsibility for utility expenses or household responsibility for the cost of heating their home, if questionable.
    

4. Deductible medical expenses for Special Category ( SPECAT Special Category Household/Individual ) members.
    

5. Disabilities qualifying the individual or household for Special Category ( SPECAT Special Category Household/Individual ) status.

Note:  

If obtaining verification of the expense, including a questionable 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.

See FS MS 602-4E (7) for examples of questionable shelter costs.

3. Information from Data Systems and EIS Eligibility Information System Interfaces

Several data systems and computer interfaces are available through the Internet and on-line EIS Eligibility 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

1. Interfaces That Must Be Checked

b. Interfaces That Are Checked If Questionable or Under Certain Conditions

Note:

The SOLQ State Online Query interface may be used only to determine eligibility for the Alaska Temporary Assistance, Food Stamp, 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.

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.

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.