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.

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.  

• Dependent care expenses.
• Disabilities qualifying the individual or household for Special Category (SPECAT) status.
• Deductible medical expenses for Special Category (SPECATSpecial Category Household/Individual) members.
• Shelter costs.
• Deductible child support payments.

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

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

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.