604-3 E.      VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: CHANGES REPORTED DURING THE CERTIFICATION PERIOD

1. Required Verification

Changes reported by the household must be verified as follows:  

1. Earned income:  Verification is required when a job starts or ends, or when income from a current job changes by more than $50 per month.  See MS 602-3A.

2. Unearned income:  Verification is required when unearned income starts or stops, or when current unearned income changes by more than $50.  See MS 602-3B.

3. Household member moves in:  See MS 604-3G.

• The new member's income must be verified.

• The value and ownership of the new member’s resources need to be verified, if questionable.  

• Residency and U.S. citizenship can be verified by client statement, unless questionable.  Alien status must be verified.  See MS 602-1D(6).

• If the SSN Social Security Number for the new member is not provided, send a notice requesting the SSN Social Security Number or verification of the application for a SSN Social Security Number .  Exception for adding newborns:  Children born in Alaska can be added to the household without verification of SSN Social Security Number enumeration or citizenship until the next recertification. See MS 602-1E. Verification of income and resources should only be requested if there is indication that the newborn has income or resources.  

4. Household member moves out:  Verify only if questionable.  See MS 604-3H.

e. Shelter costs:

1. • Verification of new shelter costs is needed when the household moves and reports new shelter costs if the amount reported by the household is questionable.

1. • Verification of increases in shelter costs for the current residence is needed prior to allowing the increase only if questionable.  See MS 602-4E(7).

6. Medical Expenses:  Verification of total medical expense that have changed by more than $25.

7. Change in legal obligation to pay child support.  See MS 602-4F.  

2. Required Verification is Not Provided

If the household does not provide the requested verification, close the case with timely notice of adverse action.  The closure is effective the month following the expiration of the notice of adverse action.

If the household provides the verification before the effective date of closure, the caseworker must accept the verification and process the reported change.

Note:  

Do not close a case if a household does not verify deductible expenses.  In these situations, process the household’s benefits without allowing the unverified expenses.