Verification of Social Security Numbers (SSN)

A. All SSNs provided by the household, including multiple SSNs issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), shall be verified through the SSA in accordance with the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) procedures established by the State Department. The State On-Line Query Internet (SOLQ-I) may also be utilized to verify an SSN. Certification of an otherwise eligible household member shall not be delayed verifying the SSN provided by the client. Household members who provide an SSN shall not be denied benefits for failure or inability to present a social security card or other official documentation. Eligibility determinations and benefits will not be delayed to otherwise eligible households while awaiting a response from the IEVS. For basic categorically eligible clients, the local office shall accept SSNs as verified by the categorically eligible programs. B. When the local office receives notification through the IEVS that a participant's SSN cannot be verified or is otherwise discrepant, such as the name or number does not match SSA records, the local office shall: 1. Conduct a case record review to confirm that the SSN in the case record matches the SSN submitted to the SSA for verification. If an error occurred in the original submittal, such as digits transposed or an incorrect name submitted, the local office shall correct the error and the SSN will be resubmitted through the IEVS for verification. 2. If no error is identified as outlined in 1, above, the local office shall advise the household in writing that a member's SSN could not be verified and instruct the household to contact the local office to resolve the discrepancy. This notice shall not constitute advance notice of adverse action. 3. The local office shall make every effort to assist the household in resolving the discrepancy, including referral to the appropriate SSA office and assisting the household in obtaining documents available to the local office which may be required by the SSA. 4. Should the household or participant fail or refuse to cooperate in resolving the discrepancy, the individual whose SSN cannot be verified may be disqualified as having failed to provide an SSN until such time as the household/participant cooperates, unless good cause exists. Disqualification shall be effective the month following the expiration of the notice of adverse action.