705-4          VERIFICATION

See ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program MS 700-4 for policy on verification on documentation.

705-4 A.      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. Families must be given an opportunity to provide the verification before the eligibility determination is made. If the family does not provide verification of the following expenses, the application is processed without the deduction.

• Child or dependent care expenses;
• Deductible child support payments; and
• Shelter costs and family's responsibility for utility expenses or family's responsibility for the cost of heating their home.

Note:

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

705-4 B.      INFORMATION FROM DATA SYSTEMS AND EISEligibility Information System INTERFACES

Several data systems and computer interfaces are available through the Internet and online 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.

1. Interfaces That Must Be Checked

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

Note:

The SOLQState Online Query interface may be used only to determine eligibility for ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program, SNAPSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, and APAAdult 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.