700-4         VERIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION

To receive ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefits, a family must meet at least 14 separate eligibility requirements.  An applicant must claim on the application form and in an interview with a DPADivision of Public Assistance -contracted fee agent or caseworker that the eligibility requirements are met.  In addition, the applicant may be required to verify that the family or a member of the family meets certain factors of eligibility.

Verification can be obtained through documents, EISEligibility Information System or online system information, contacts with third parties, or home visits, and in some circumstances a client statement can be used to establish the accuracy of information stated on the application or provided by the applicant.

Information listed on the application that would cause the client to be ineligible for the program must be confirmed prior to completing the eligibility determination.

Example:

An applicant states on their application that they have $4000 in their checking account. At face value it appears the client is ineligible for being over the resource limit. Before denying the application the caseworker must verify that funds in the account are not exempt from the resource limit.

700-4 A.     VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1.  The following eligibility requirements must be verified to determine a family's eligibility for ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program:

• • Alien Status, for individuals who are not US Citizens;

  • Caretaker Relationship, except as noted in ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 712;

  • Child Support Cooperation or Claim for Good Cause (see ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 723 for policy on verification of a Claim for Good Cause for not cooperating with CSSDChild Support Services Division);

  • Minor Parent's:

  • Living Arrangement, and

  • School Attendance

  • Development of Income;

  • Physical or Mental Inability to Work;

  • Gross Non-Exempt Income;

  • The expected date of birth for the baby in a Third Trimester Pregnant Woman case;

  • Questionable Information;

  • Changes that may affect the family's eligibility for TATemporary Assistance; and

  • Approved conditions for ineligible drug felon participation; as outlined in ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 770-7.

Note:

Physical or mental ability to work only needs to be verified to allow an exemption from work activities, exempt someone from pursuing UIBUnempoyment Insurance Benefits, or to allow the two-parent payment standard.  

2.  The following must be verified to be included in the calculation of the family's ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit:

• Work related expenses (self-employment costs of doing business and child or dependent care expenses);

• Child support payments;

• Shelter costs;

• Deemed parent and stepparent deductions (child support or dependent allowance.)

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.  The following must be verified if the information received is found questionable:

• Resources

The applicant has the primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support statements made, and to resolve any questionable information.  The caseworker must place verification in the case file or document the verification in the case notes.

The caseworker applies professional expertise and exercises prudent judgement to determine if the proof is sufficient to document the eligibility requirement. A family cannot be found eligible for ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program if the applicant refuses to allow the caseworker to verify or document information relevant to the eligibility determination.

See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MSManual Section 705-4 A. for more information on the verification required prior to allowing deductions.

700-4 B.     QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION

Questionable information is unclear or inconsistent information that contradicts a previous application, written or verbal statement made by the applicant, or other information received by the agency. For example, information would be considered questionable if a family’s expenses continually exceed their monthly income.

Any information that a caseworker determines to be questionable must be verified when it affects a family's eligibility for TATemporary Assistance or the amount of the family's ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program benefit. Verification of previously verified information cannot be required, unless the caseworker determines the information has become questionable.

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

700-4 C.     DOCUMENTATION

Documentation is a record of what elements are verified and how, and why certain decisions are made that relate to a determination of eligibility for TATemporary Assistance. Documentation also supports actions taken while case managing a family to become self-supporting.  

The caseworker must document each action taken that is related to a family's application for or receipt of TATemporary Assistance.  (See Administrative Procedures Manual for documentation standards.)