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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – APPENDIX Q

Accessing the System SSA Quarters of Coverage History System Accessing the System There is no charge for information provided through QCHS. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will be the primary source of verification for quarters of coverage information. The following procedures will be used to determine if the alien has been in the U.S. long enough to have 40 qualifying quarters of work under Title II of the Social Security Act: • Determine how many years of possible SSA coverage this alien has. (Years alien lived in the U.S. or otherwise paid social security taxes + years spouse lived in the U.S. + years alien’s parents lived in the U.S. before alien’s 18th birthday = years of possible coverage.) Include any work outside the U.S. if alien paid U.S. social security taxes on the wages. Do not include quarters of work earned by the alien’s minor child or children. • If the total is less than 10 years, STOP. It is not necessary to verify quarters of coverage through the WQRY screen. The alien is not eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. See SNAP 1621.6. • If the total is 10 years or more, obtain the alien’s written consent to access SSA’s records for information about the alien’s qualifying quarters of work. Obtaining The Alien’s Consent To Access SSA Records Each alien must provide the full name, social security number, date of birth and sex of each individual whose earnings will be used to establish the alien’s qualifying quarters. A Consent for Release of Information (SSA-3288) must be completed for each alien claiming eligibility based on 40 qualifying quarters of work. The alien must sign the consent. An SSA-3288 must also be completed for any spouse or parent whose earnings will be used to establish the alien’s qualifying quarters of work. Unless the spouse or parent is deceased, he or she must sign the consent allowing SSA to access his or her earnings record. Consent forms must meet the following conditions: • The consent form must indicate that information about the alien, parent or spouse can be released to your agency, and in the case that the individual is the parent or spouse of an alien, to the applicant. • The consent form must authorize release of the individual’s social security number, identifying information, information about benefit payments and (under other) quarters of coverage history.