The what’s and how’s of eligibility verification

 Every applicant for Basic Food Assistance has to verify the same basic eligibility criteria.

WHAT TO VERIFYBASIC FOOD Alien Status X For all non-citizen AU members* Child Support Obligation X Only if questionable (Continue to check SEMS for cases through DCS) Citizenship X Only if questionable Dependent Care Expenses (Including transportation costs) X Only if questionable (Continue to check WCAP for WCCC copays Disability X Household Composition (Includes Purchase & Prepare arrangements) X Only if questionable Identity X For applicant or both the Head of Household and Authorized Representative WHAT TO VERIFYBASIC FOOD Incapacity X Income X Recertification:  If source has changed; or  If amount has changed over $50. NOTE: There is no requirement to verify income-in-kind for BF. Medical Expenses X Only for elderly persons or persons with disabilities and only if in excess of 25% of household income or more than $300. Residency X Households that are not Categorically Eligible (CE) for Basic Food Shelter Costs X Only if questionable SSN Application X Questionable Information X

 The Department does not request a specific form of verification.

Eligibility FactorAcceptable Verification Alien Status (For all non-citizen AU members) See tables in NILC Guide for documents used to verify alien status Child Support Obligation  Court papers  SEMS data  Statement from custodial parent  Receipt Dependent Care Expenses  Statement from the provider  Bills or receipts  SSPS data Disability  Award letter from SSA  DDDS disability approval  Collateral contact with SSA  Collateral contact with VA  Decision from disability program specialist (ABD cash) Household Composition  Statement from landlord  Rental agreement  Collateral contact Identity (for Cash and Food)  Driver's license  State ID card  Birth certificate  Passport  School records  Current Alien Registration Card  Collateral Contact outside the client's household  SOLQ Eligibility FactorAcceptable Verification Income  Pay stubs  Employer statement by telephone or in writing  SEMS data  ACES Interfaces  Bank statement that shows direct deposits (many deposits show the net amount, you may need additional information that shows the gross income)  Collateral contact  SOLQ Medical Expenses  Bills/Receipts  Statement from the provider Residency  Rental or lease agreement  Statement from landlord  Mortgage papers  Utility company records or bills Shelter Costs  Landlord statement  Current lease  Rent or mortgage receipt  Utility bills  Collateral contact SSN Application  Collateral contact with SSA  SSA printouts or documents  Birth document that states SSN was applied for

Does it verify the eligibility factor? Is the document/statement the most reliable available evidence? Was the document/statement prepared near the time the event took place?

Is the document/statement signed and dated? Are there any inconsistencies in the document/statement itself? Is the document/statement consistent with other information?

Is the document/statement based upon first- hand knowledge rather than opinion, inference, or hearsay? Has the document been in the possession of a person with reason to change it? Does it appear the document is altered? Is there any other reason to question the validity of the document?

Income Deductions  We only require verification of a household’s income deductions for Basic Food when the information is questionable.

 We must still make use of readily available information such as child support paid by the household through SEMS or Working Connections Child Care copayments through WCAP.

 Questions?

 For Basic Food, only certain factors must be verified at recertification.

· A change of income if the source has changed or the amount has changed by more than $50 · Questionable expenses · Any information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated.

· Income if the source hasn’t changed and the amount has changed $50 or less · Income deductions that aren’t questionable · Income-in-Kind