205 Verification

Verification is the use of third-party information or documentation to establish the accuracy of statements on the application. County departments shall verify the following information prior to certification for households initially applying: A. Mandatory Verification Gross Nonexempt Income Gross nonexempt income shall be verified for all households prior to certification. However, where all attempts to verify the income have been unsuccessful because the person or organization providing the income has failed to cooperate with the household and the State agency, and all other sources of verification are unavailable, the eligibility worker shall determine an amount to be used for certification purposes based on the best available information. Alien Eligibility Eligibility workers must inform applicant non-citizen households that household members may choose not to seek benefits and that they will not be required to answer questions about citizenship/immigration information for those who choose not to seek benefits. Applicant non-citizen households must be informed that they must supply information about citizenship or immigration for household members seeking benefits; that the amount of benefits will depend on the number of people requesting benefits; that eligible household members who apply will be able to get benefits even though some members in the household are not seeking benefits; and that household members who are not seeking benefits must provide their financial information to determine the eligibility for household members who are seeking benefits. The applicant should then be allowed to identify which household members are seeking benefits and which members are not seeking benefits (known as "opting out"). [2] 1. The eligibility worker must verify the eligible status of applicant aliens. If an alien does not wish the county to contact INS to verify immigration status, the eligibility worker must give the household the option to withdraw its application or participate without that member. One adult household member must attest under penalty of perjury to the citizenship or alien status of each household member. This is to be done at each certification and recertification. 2. If an applicant is not a citizen and wishes to apply for food assistance benefits, he must provide documentation issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) that contains his Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or other documents that provide reasonable evidence of current immigration status. This documentation must be verified by the county department through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program developed by INS. Verification of alien eligibility should only be done if the applicant appears otherwise eligible for benefits. The household’s written consent to contact INS for verification is not required when the county is using the SAVE system to validate documentation (either INS documentation or other acceptable documentation) which supports the alien’s eligible status for the Food Assistance Program. Procedures for Verification of Immigration Status Primary verification is made through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) program by submitting information/documentation to the Food Assistance Policy Desk from documents issued by INS to the non-citizen. The county office must send an e-mail to the Food Assistance Policy Desk with the name, date of birth, country of birth (if known) and the A-number of the individual(s) for whom verification is requested. The county office must maintain copies of all immigration documents provided by the household in the food assistance case record and submit a copy of these documents (scan or fax) to the Food Assistance Policy Desk. Upon receipt of verification through the SAVE Program, an e-mail response will be sent providing the county office with the information obtained. In addition, SAVE verification is available through a manual process, known as secondary verification when primary verification reveals material discrepancies or when the user is directed to do so by SAVE.[3] Primary Verification Process Documentation of immigration status presented by an applicant includes, but is not limited to the following forms. Unless indicated, each shows the A-Number of the bearer. Some forms have expiration dates which must be checked and noted during the worker’s visual examination of documentation, and any supporting documents shall be placed in the case record. Documents that demonstrate lawful status include the following: 1. Alien Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence a) I-551 (Alien Registration Receipt Card, commonly known as a “green card”) or b) Unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport or on I-94. 2. Asylee a) I-94 annotated with stamp showing grant of asylum under Section 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (the “INA”). b) I-688B (Employment Authorization Card) annotated “274a.12 (a) (5). c) I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) annotated “A5”. d) Grant letter from the Asylum Office of INS or e) Order of an immigration judge granting asylum. 3. Refugee a) I-94 annotated with stamp showing admission under Section 207 of the INA. b) I-688B (Employment Authorization Card) annotated “274a.12 (a) (3). c) I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) annotated “A3” or d) I-571 (Refugee Travel Document) 4. Alien paroled Into the U. S. for at least one year. a) I-94 with stamp showing admission for at least one year under Section 212(d) (5) of the INS. 5. Alien whose deportation or removal was withheld. a) I-688B (Employment Authorization Card) annotated “274a.12 (a) (10)” b) I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) annotated “A10” or c) Order from an immigration judge showing deportation withheld under Section 243(h) of the INA as in effect prior to April 1, 1997, or removal withheld under Section 241(b) (3) of the INA. 6. Alien granted conditional entry. a) I-94 with stamp showing admission under Section 203(a) (7) of the INA b) I-688B (Employment Authorization Card) annotated “274a.12 (a) (3)” or c) I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) annotated “A3” 7. Cuban/Haitian entrant. a) I-551 (Alien Registration Receipt Card, commonly known as a “green card”) with the code CU6, CU7, or CH6. b) Unexpired temporary I-551 stamp in foreign passport or on I-94 with the code CU6 or CU7 or c) I-94 with stamp showing parole as “Cuban/Haitian Entrant” under Section 212(d) (5) of the INA. Note that some forms have been released in several editions so that valid documentation presented by different individuals may not be identical. Any questions about specific cases should be directed to Food Assistance Division. Under most circumstances, the eligibility worker should proceed with the primary verification process. However, if alien status cannot be established through the primary verification process initiate the secondary verification process immediately. If there are no material differences between the data obtained through SAVE and the information in the alien's immigration documentation and if the eligibility worker is not instructed by SAVE to initiate secondary verification, no further check is required. The county department must make certain, however, that biographical data given matches the alien applicant/recipient. If not, secondary verification must be initiated. Benefits will not be denied or terminated or reduced because of the alien's immigration status without first receiving a response to the secondary verification process.[4] Secondary Verification Process The secondary verification process provides a more extensive validation process, including a search of all automated and paper INS files, when problems arise during the visual verification of documentation on the primary check. Secondary verification must be completed prior to the delay, denial, reduction, or termination of benefits to any alien applicant/recipient for reasons of immigration status. Secondary verification in most cases can be accomplished through SAVE. If not, the county office must follow the instructions below. To obtain secondary verification, the county department must forward a completed Document Verification Request, Form G-845, with full readable photocopies of original immigration documents to the following INS File Control Office (FCO) for review: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 10 Fountain Plaza, 3rd Floor Buffalo, NY 14202 Attn: Immigration Status Verification Unit A separate G-845 and the G-845 supplement (if required) must be completed for each applicant/recipient and should include copies of the documents for that individual only. If a family unit has applied, each member will require a separate G-845. It is recommended that when the G-845 is completed, a copy of the completed form and all documentation is maintained in the case record. All original documentation must be returned to the alien.[5] Additional Information 1. Refer to Chapter 4 for other factors which may be relevant to the eligibility of certain aliens and which should be verified if applicable, such as: a) The date of admission or date status was granted. b) Military connection. c) Battered status. d) If the alien was lawfully residing in the United States on August 22, 1996. e) Membership in certain Indian tribes. f) If the person was age 65 or older on August 22, 1996. g) If a lawful permanent resident can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of covered work and if any Federal means-tested public benefits were received in any quarter after December 31, 1996. h) If the alien was a member of certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribes during a certain period of time or is the spouse or unmarried dependent of such a person. 2. An alien is ineligible until acceptable documentation is provided unless one of the following applies: a) The county has submitted a copy of a document provided by the household to INS for verification. b) The applicant or the county department has submitted a request to the Social Security Administration for information regarding the number of quarters of work. If SSA verifies that the individual has fewer than 40 quarters and that they are conducting an investigation to determine if more quarters can be credited, the county department must certify the individual pending the results of the investigation for up to 6 months from the date of the original determination of insufficient quarters. c) The applicant or the county has submitted a request to a Federal agency for verification of information which bears on the individual’s eligible alien status. The county department must certify the individual pending the results of the investigation for up to 6 months from the date of the original request for verification. Utility Expenses 1. Utility expenses must be verified for entitlement to the SUA, BUA, Telephone Standard, Actual Utility Expenses and the Homeless Shelter Deduction 2. Households in which all members are homeless but are not receiving free shelter are entitled to the Homeless Shelter Deduction (HSD) if a shelter expense is incurred and verified. The HSD includes both rent and utilities. 3. If the only utility expense incurred by a homeless household is the telephone expense, the household is only entitled to the Telephone Standard. This telephone expense must be verified. Medical Expenses 1. The amount of any allowable medical expenses in excess of $35 (including the amount of reimbursements) shall be verified prior to initial certification. Households that incur out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of $35 are entitled to a standard medical deduction of $185. These expenses must be verified before a deduction is allowed in the budget. Households that incur out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of the standard medical deduction ($185) must verify the actual amount of these expenses before a deduction for the actual amount in excess of $185 may be allowed in the budget. If the amount verified is more than $35 and is equal to or less than $185, the household would only be entitled to the standard medical deduction. 2. If the verification of the medical expenses and reimbursement may delay the household’s certification, the county department shall advise the household that its eligibility and benefit level may be determined without providing a deduction for the claimed but unverified expense. 3. Verification of other factors such as the allowable services provided or the eligibility of the person incurring the cost shall be required if questionable. 4. For households which claim no reimbursement potential (no insurance, non-SSI recipient, etc.), the household’s statement that no reimbursement will be received should be accepted, unless there is reason to question this statement, such as it is known that employer provides group medical insurance plan. If the household’s statement is not questionable, the deduction would be allowed at that time. 5. Any currently existing bill for allowable medical expenses which is received by a client who has Medicaid shall be accepted by the county department as verification that Medicaid will not cover this bill, and the client is liable for the expense. If the client has insurance in addition to Medicaid, reimbursement of the expense must be verified from the other insurance before allowing the expense. 6. The county department must verify if an individual (who is entitled to a medical deduction) is covered by Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries Program before allowing a medical deduction. This may be accomplished by: a) The Medicaid card: If the client is a QMB recipient, QMB will be listed on the card in the blank entitled “Scope of Coverage”. b) Use of the MSEV screen  Sign onto DHR/CICS.  Clear screen.  Enter MSEV space enter SSN.  Press enter. c) The PSPWB 525-A Pars Referral to Food Assistance, Social Service and ES. This printout is printed down line each day for categories A, B, and D cases. Social Security Numbers Verification of social security numbers reported by the household is accomplished through a monthly computer enumeration tape match with the Social Security Administration. 1. The household is not required to verify SSN’s provided for each member, but may verbally state the numbers to the worker. 2. The county department shall not delay the certification or issuance of benefits to an otherwise eligible household solely for the monthly enumeration tape match. 3. The county department shall accept as proof of application for a social security number from SSA-2853, Hospital Enumeration at birth or a birth certificate or other documentary evidence which indicates the hospital has submitted the application for a social security number. These enumerations will not be accomplished by the monthly computer enumeration tape match. Therefore, it is the household’s responsibility to verify the number upon receipt. If the household fails without good cause to notify the county office by the next certification period or six months, whichever comes later after the SSA-2853 has been provided, the household member would be disqualified in accordance with procedures in Chapter 6. Residency 1. The residency requirements of Chapter 3 shall be verified except in unusual cases (such as homeless households, some migrant farm worker households, or households newly arrived in a project area) where verification of residency cannot reasonably be accomplished. 2. Verification of residency should be accomplished to the extent possible in conjunction with the verification of other information such as, but not limited to, rent and mortgage payments, utility expenses, and identity. 3. If verification cannot be accomplished in conjunction with the verification of other information, then the county department shall use a collateral contact or other readily available documentary evidence. Documents used to verify other factors of eligibility should normally suffice to verify residency as well. Any documents or collateral contacts which reasonably establish the applicant’s residency must be accepted and no requirement for a specific type of verification may be imposed. 4. No durational residency requirement shall be established. Identity 1. The identity of the person making application shall be verified. Where an authorized representative applies on behalf of a household, the identity of both the authorized representative and the head of the household shall be verified. 2. Identity may be verified through readily available documentary evidence, or if this is unavailable, through a collateral contract. Examples of acceptable documentary evidence which the applicant may provide include, but are not limited to: a) A driver’s license. b) A work or school ID. c) An ID for health benefits or for another assistance or social services program. d) A voter registration card. e) Wage stubs. f) Birth certificate. 3. Any documents which reasonably establish the applicant’s identity must be accepted and no requirements for a specific type of document, such as a birth certificate may be imposed. Disability The county department shall verify disability as defined in the Glossary Manual as follows: 1. For individuals to be considered disabled due to receipt of SSI, receipt of disability or blindness payments under Titles I, II, X, or XIV, or XVI of the Social Security Act, receipt of State SUP benefits, or receipt of disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency, the household shall provide proof that the disabled individual is receiving these benefits. 2. For individuals to be considered a disabled veteran the household must present a statement from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) which clearly indicates that the disabled individual is receiving VA disability benefits for a service connected or non-service connected disability and the disability is rated as total or paid at the total rate by VA. 3. For individuals to be considered a veteran determined by the VA to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound under Title 38 of the U.S. Code, or a surviving, disabled spouse or child of a veteran, proof by the household that the disabled individual is receiving VA disability benefits is sufficient verification of disability. 4. For individuals to be considered disabled due to receiving disability retirement benefits from a governmental agency because of a disability considered permanent under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act, or who are surviving spouses or children of a veteran considered by the VA to be entitled to compensation for a service connected death under Title 38 of the United States Code and has a disability considered permanent under Section 221(i) of the Social Security Act, the county department shall use the Social Security Administration’s most current list of disabilities considered permanent under the Social Security Act for verifying disability. (See Glossary Manual). a) If it is obvious to the caseworker that the individual has one of the listed disabilities, the household shall be considered to have verified disability. b) If the disability is not obvious to the caseworker, the household shall provide a statement from a physician or licensed or certified psychologist certifying that the individual has one of the disabilities listed. 5. For individuals to be considered disabled due to receipt of Railroad Retirement disability annuity from the Railroad Retirement Board and has been determined to qualify for Medicare, the household shall provide proof that the individual receives these benefits. 6. For disability determinations which must be made relevant to separate household status for an elderly, disabled individual unable to purchase and prepare meals separately, the county department shall use the SSA’s most current list of disabilities as the initial step for verifying the disability. a) Individuals who suffer from one of the disabilities mentioned in the SSA list who are unable to purchase and prepare meals because of such disability shall be considered disabled for the purpose of this provision. b) If it is obvious to the worker that the individual is unable to purchase and prepare meals because he/she suffers from a severe physical or mental disability, the individual shall be considered disabled for the purpose of the provision even if the disability is not specifically mentioned on the SSA list. c) If the disability is not obvious to the caseworker, he/she shall verify the disability by requiring a statement from a physician or licensed or certified psychologist certifying that the individual (in the physician’s/psychologist’s opinion) is unable to purchase and prepare meals because he/she suffers from some other severe, permanent physical or mental disease or non-disease related disability. d) The elderly and disabled individual (or his/her authorized representative) shall be responsible for obtaining the cooperation of the individuals with whom he/she resides in providing the necessary income information about the others to the State agency for purposes of this provision. 7. Recipients of interim assistance benefits pending the receipt of supplemental security income. These are individuals that continue receiving SSI benefits pending an appeals decision by the Social Security Administration. ∗ 8. Recipients of disability-related medical assistance benefits under Title XIX of the Social Security Act which are persons qualified for QMB.  9. Recipients of disability-based State general assistance benefits.  * These disability categories which are based upon disability or blindness criteria which are at least as stringent as those used under Title XVI of the Social Security Administration. Verification for Households Previously Terminated Due to Refusal to Cooperate with Quality Control 1. County departments shall verify all factors of eligibility for households who have been terminated for refusal to cooperate with a state quality control reviewer, and reapply after 95 days from the end of the annual review period. 2. County departments shall verify all factors of eligibility for households who have been terminated for refusal to cooperate with a Federal quality control reviewer and reapply after seven months from the end of the annual review period. Household Composition 1. County departments shall verify household composition, if questionable. 2. Individuals who claim to be a separate household from those with whom they reside shall be responsible for proving that they are a separate household to the satisfaction of the county department. 3. Individuals who claim to be a separate household from those with whom they reside based on the various age and disability factors for determining separateness shall be responsible for proving a claim of separateness (at the county department’s request) in accordance with the verification of disability noted above in the Disability area of this section. Child Support Deduction The household shall be responsible for verifying the household’s legal obligation to pay child support, the amount of the legal obligation, and the monthly amount the household actually pays. 1. The legal obligation and the obligated amount may be verified by a court order, administrative order, a legally enforceable separation agreement, etc. 2. The household’s actual payment of child support may be verified by a canceled check, a statement from the custodial parent, wage withholding statements, verification of withholding from unemployment compensation, etc. Documents that are accepted as verification of the household’s legal obligation to pay child support shall not be accepted as verification of the household’s actual child support payment. Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDS) 1. County departments must verify work hours for individuals who are subject to the ABAWD time limit. Work hours must be verified for ABAWDS who are satisfying the work requirement by working, by combining work and participation in a work program, or by participating in a work or workfare program that is not operated or supervised by the State agency. This may be done in conjunction with verification of earned income. 2. County departments must verify the number of countable months an ABAWD has used in another State within normal processing standards if there is an indication that the ABAWD participated in that State. The county department may accept another State’s affirmation as to the number of countable months the ABAWD used in that state as well as the 36 month time frame used in that state. B. Verification of Questionable Information The county department shall verify, prior to certification of the household, all other factors of eligibility which the county department determines are questionable and affect the household’s eligibility and benefit level. Examples of possible questionable information are: 1. When information on the application is inconsistent with statements made by the applicant. 2. When information on the application is inconsistent with the other information on the application. 3. When information on the application is inconsistent with information on previous application. 4. When information received by the county department is inconsistent with information on the application. 5. When a household reports expenses exceeding its income (prior to deductions) or has managed payment of shelter costs, personal needs, and food with no reported income. 6. When a change is reported by the household that is inconsistent with previous statements by the household. Questionable U.S. Citizenship When a household’s statement that one or more of its members are U.S. citizens is questionable, the household shall be asked to provide acceptable verification, which includes: 1. Birth certificates. 2. Religious records. 3. Voter registration cards. 4. Certificates of citizenship or naturalization provided by INS, such as identification cards for use of resident citizens in the United States (INS Form I-79 or INS Form I-197), or U.S. passports. 5. Participation in the AFDC program if verification of citizenship was obtained for that program. If the above forms of verification cannot be obtained and the household can provide a reasonable explanation as to why verification is not available, the State agency shall accept a signed statement from someone who is a U.S. citizen which declares, under penalty of perjury, that the member in question is a U.S. citizen. The signed statement shall contain a warning of the penalties for helping someone commit fraud, such as: If you intentionally give false information to help this person get food assistance, you may be fined, imprisoned, or both. Unless the household is entitled to expedited service, the member whose citizenship is in question shall be ineligible to participate until proof of U.S. citizenship is obtained. The member whose citizenship is in question will have his or her income, less a prorated share, and all of his or her resources considered available to any remaining household members as set forth in Section 1102. If the household is entitled to expedited service, the member whose citizenship is in question, shall be included in the household for the first month of certification only; he cannot participate in the remaining months of the certification period until proof of citizenship is provided. The member’s resources shall be counted in their entirety and his or her income, less a prorated share shall be counted while the member is not in the household. C. Verification of Shelter and Dependent Care Expenses Shelter and dependent care expenses shall be verified prior to allowing as a deduction. If verification of shelter (rent, mortgage, and taxes and insurance separate and apart from the mortgage) and dependent care expenses may delay the household’s certification, the county department shall advise the household that its eligibility and benefit level may be determined without providing a deduction for the claimed but unverified expense. If the expense cannot be verified within the 30 days of the date of application, the county department shall determine the household’s eligibility and benefit level without providing a deduction of the unverified expense. If the household subsequently provides the missing verification, the county department shall handle this as a reported change during the certification period. If the expense could not be verified within the 30 day processing day because the county department failed to allow the household sufficient time (10 days minimum) to verify the expense, the household shall be entitled to the restoration of benefits retroactive to the month of application, provided that the missing verification is supplied in accordance with Section 207C. D. Sources of Verification Documentary Evidence 1. County departments shall use documentary evidence as the primary source of verification for all items except residency, household size and interest income, if the household states the interest income does not exceed $10 per month or $120 per year and this is not questionable. Residency and household size may be verified either through readily available documentary evidence or through a collateral contact; without a requirement being imposed that documentary evidence must be the primary source of verification. 2. Documentary evidence consists of a written confirmation of a household’s circumstances. Examples of documentary evidence include but are not limited to: a) Wage stubs. b) Rent receipts. c) Utility bills. 3. Although documentary evidence shall be the primary source of verification, acceptable verification shall not be limited to any single type of document and may be obtained through the household or other source. 4. Whenever documentary evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, the eligibility worker may require collateral contacts or home visits. For example, documentary evidence may be considered insufficient when the household presents pay stubs which do not represent an accurate picture of the household’s income (such as outdated pay stubs) or identification papers that appear to be falsified. Collateral Contacts 1. A collateral contact is an oral confirmation (in person or by phone) of a household’s circumstances by a person outside of the household. 2. The eligibility worker may select a collateral contact if the household fails to designate one or designates one which is unacceptable. Examples of acceptable collateral contacts may include employers, landlords, social services agencies, migrant service agencies, and neighbors of the household who can be expected to provide third-party verification. 3. The eligibility worker must protect the household’s right to confidentiality when talking to collateral contacts. The eligibility worker should disclose to the collateral contact only enough information to obtain the information needed from them. The eligibility worker should not disclose information the household has provided, or disclose that the household is applying for or receiving food assistance benefits or may be suspected of any wrong doing. Home Visits Home visits may be used as verification only when documentary evidence is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, or cannot be obtained, and the home visit is scheduled in advance with the household. Discrepancies Where unverified information from a source other than the household contradicts statements made by the household, the household shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy prior to a determination of eligibility or benefits. 1. The county department may verify the information directly and contact the household only if such direct verification efforts are unsuccessful. 2. If the unverified information is received through IEVS, the county department may obtain verification from a third party as specified in Section 205 I. E. Responsibility for Obtaining Verification The household has primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support statements on the application and resolve any questionable information. The eligibility worker must assist the household in obtaining this verification as long as the household is cooperating with the county department. Households may supply documentary evidence in person, through the mail, by facsimile or other electronic device, or through an authorized representative. The eligibility worker must not require the household to present verification in person at the food assistance office. The eligibility worker must accept any reasonable evidence provided by the household and must be primarily concerned with how adequately the verification proves the statements on the application. Whenever documentary evidence is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, or cannot be obtained, the county department may require a collateral contact or a home visit. The county department, generally, shall rely on the household to provide the name of any collateral contact. The household may request assistance in designating a collateral contact. The county department is not required to use a collateral contact designated by the household if the collateral contact cannot be expected to provide accurate third-party verification. When the collateral contact designated by the household is unacceptable, the county department shall either designate another collateral contact, ask the household to designate another collateral contact or to provide an alternative form of verification, or substitute a home visit. The county department is responsible for obtaining verification from acceptable collateral contacts. F. Documentation Case files must be documented to support determinations of eligibility, ineligibility and benefit level. This includes documentation in sufficient detail to permit a reviewer to determine the reasonableness and accuracy of determinations made at initial certification, recertification and changes during the certification period. Documentation includes any written documents that support the household statements as well as narrative recordings that chronologically outline case actions. The case file must contain: a signed application form, validated TAD’s, reports submitted during the certification period, documentation providing sufficient information about how eligibility was determined, benefit level and income computations, verification documents and written notes of verification obtained orally, copies of manually prepared notices provided to households, information/verification obtained through computer matches including follow-up actions required to complete the process, related eligibility referrals and correspondence with other units/agencies. G. State Data Exchange (SDX) and Beneficiary Data Exchange (BENDEX) The county department may verify SSI benefits through SDX and Social Security benefits through BENDEX, or through verification provided by the household. The county department may use SDX and BENDEX data to verify other information; however, the household shall be given an opportunity to provide verification from another source if the SDX or BENDEX information is contradictory to the information provided by the household. Determination of the household’s eligibility and benefit level shall not be delayed past the application processing time standards of this section if SDX or BENDEX data is unavailable. H. Verification Subsequent to Initial Certification Recertification At recertification, the county department shall verify the following for all households: 1. Gross nonexempt earned income. 2. Unemployment Compensation Benefits. 3. SSI benefits. 4. Child Support income. 5. Family Assistance (FA) grants. 6. All other gross, nonexempt unearned income for the household if from a new source or if changed by $50 or more from previous certification. (For quarterly reporting households, any change shall be verified with the exception of interest income which the household states does not exceed $10 per month or $120 per year.) 7. Dependent care expenses, if changed. 8. Child Support deduction. A household eligible for the child support deduction must verify any changes in the legal obligation to pay child support, the obligated amount, and the amount of the legally obligated child support a household member pays to a non-household member. The worker shall verify reported unchanged child support information only if the information is incomplete, inaccurate, and inconsistent or outdated. 9. Medical expenses. o Households that are receiving the standard medical deduction ($185) may continue to receive the standard medical deduction when a household member continues to incur out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of $35. Document the household’s statement, unless the statement is questionable. If questionable, verification must be provided before the standard medical deduction is allowed. o Households that report incurring out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of the standard medical deduction ($185) must provide verification of the actual amount of medical expenses. If the actual amount verified is not in excess of $185 but is more than $35 and is equal to or less than $185, the household is entitled to the standard medical deduction. 10. Alien status/citizenship, if questionable. 11. ABAWDS subject to “Time Limit”. Work hours must be verified for ABAWDS who are satisfying the work requirement by working, by combining work and participation in a work program, or by participating in a work program that is not operated or supervised by the State agency. 12. Questionable information. 13. At recertification, utility expenses must be re-verified, even if the household reports no changes. 14. Newly obtained social security numbers for current household members or social security numbers of new household members shall be verified through the monthly enumeration tape match with SSA. Verification at recertification shall be subject to the same verification procedures as apply during initial verification. Changes See Chapter 12. I. Use of IEVS 1. The following information obtained through IEVS is considered verified upon receipt: a) Unemployment Compensation Benefits from the Department of Industrial Relations. b) FA grants (from Clearinghouse Report) c) Social Security Benefits (From SSA) d) SSI Benefits (From SSA) The county department shall take action, including proper notices to households, to terminate, deny, or reduce benefits, or increase benefits based on the information from IEVS which is considered verified upon receipt. If the county department has information that the IEVS obtained information about a particular household is questionable, this information shall be considered unverified upon receipt and the county office shall independently verify with the household. When the independent verification is received, the county department shall process the information if it is different from the current case information and the appropriate notices shall be sent to the household. 2. The following information obtained through IEVS is considered unverified upon receipt: a) Unearned income from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). b) Wage information from SSA and wage and employment (New Hire) information from the Department of Industrial Relations. c) Questionable IEVS information (i.e. information from IEVS which is considered verified upon receipt but for which the county department has conflicting information).(See #1 above) d) Information from the Prisoner Verification System. (PVS) (See #3 below) e) National Directory of New Hire (NDNH) information (New Hire, Quarterly Wage, and Unemployment Insurance). Prior to terminating, denying, or reducing benefits based on information obtained through IEVS which is considered unverified upon receipt, the county department shall independently verify the information. Independent verification of the asset and/or ownership, or amount of income involved whether the household actually has or has had access to such asset or income such that it would be countable income or resources for food assistance purposes, and the period during which such access occurred. Except with respect to unearned income from the IRS, if the county department has information which indicates the independent verification is not needed, such verification is not required. The county department shall obtain independent verification of unverified information from IEVS by contacting the household and/or the appropriate income, resource, or benefit source. If the county department contacts the household, it must do so in writing, informing the household of the information that has been received and requesting the household to respond within 10 days. If the household fails to respond in a timely manner, the county office shall issue a 10 day Notice of Adverse Action to terminate the household. The county department may contact the appropriate source by the means best suited to the situation. When the independent verification is provided by the household or appropriate source, the county department must notify the household of the action it intends to take prior to any adverse action. 3. BENDEX Death Matches and Prisoner Verification Matches BENDEX Death Matches and Prisoner Verification System Matches received during the certification period require contact with the household when received. The county department must follow up on these matches with a Notice of Match Results. Inform the household of the information received by the county department, clearly explain what information the household must provide and the consequences of failure to respond. The county department must remove the individual from the household and adjust the household’s benefits accordingly if the household does not respond to the request, or does respond but fails to provide sufficient information to clarify the household circumstances. Send the household a Notice of Adverse Action if the action to remove the individual results in a decrease or termination of the household’s benefits. If the information from death and prisoner matches are independently verified by the county department and the effect on the household’s continued eligibility and/or benefit allotment can be readily determined, the county department must send a Notice of Adverse Action. A notice of match results would not be appropriate.