VIII. Certification August 2021 8.005 - 1 8.005 Residency Eligibility CFR 246.7 (C) Eligibility Criteria

I. Policy Statement At each certification appointment, each applicant is required to present proof of residency within the District of Columbia. This is the location or address where a potential participant routinely lives or spends the night. NOTE: Staff shall not make photocopies of an applicant’s proof of residency, nor scan residency documentation into HANDS. LAs shall not require an applicant to be a citizen or have residency status in the United States. LAs shall not attempt to determine an immigrant’s status or to confirm their status with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). II. Acceptable Documents to Verify Residency Documentation of residency is required at each certification and when there is a change of address during a certification period. PO Boxes are not acceptable proof residency. The following documents may be used to verify an applicant’s residency within the District of Columbia. Address Confidentiality Program Income Tax Return / W-2 Rent or Mortgage Receipts (Housing) (From within 60 days) Bank Statements (From within 60 days) Letter from homeowner that person resides in their home (Issued within 60 days) Shelter Letter on Letterhead (Issued within 60 days) Bill (Utility, Cable, Phone, etc) (Issued within 60 days) Mail with postmark (no PO box) TANF/SNAP Award Letter Clinic / Hospital Record or ID Notice to Provider / CFSA Paperwork Vehicle Registration Driver’s License / Government or State issued ID Pay stubs with current address (Issued within 60 days) Voter Registration Card

VIII. Certification August 2021 8.005 - 2 III. Residency Considerations

a. DC Address Confidentiality Program (ACP)

If the participant provides an ACP card for proof of residency, staff shall: - Document the new address as listed on the ACP card in the Mailing and Street Address fields in HANDS. If no address is listed, staff shall use the service site’s address - Select “Address Confidentiality Program” for Proof of Address - Verify phone number and request permission to contact them if necessary - If applicable, breast pump release forms (loan agreements) for a family will be completed using the ACP card address, or if applicable, the service site’s address

NOTE: Staff may not ask ACP participants to disclose their actual address

b. Institutional Residence If the participant resides in an institution (e.g., homeless shelter, shelter for victims of domestic violence, penal institution), the following conditions shall be met: - WIC foods benefit the participant, not the institution (i.e., the institution shall not accrue financial or in-kind benefit from the resident’s participation in WIC) - WIC foods are used by the WIC participant only - The institution allows and encourages the participant to purchase and consume WIC foods, and participate in all associated WIC services made available to participants by the Local Agency (e.g., education, referrals)

c. Non-Compliant Institutions If the institution where a participant is staying is found to be noncompliant with any of the above three conditions: - During the initial certification, the participant will continue to receive all WIC benefits - The participant applies for continuing benefits and still resides in the institution, the LA will discontinue provision of food items other than infant formula and the participant will continue to be eligible for WIC education and health care referrals - The LA will refer the participant to other accommodations, if possible - The State Agency will inform the institution of the required conditions listed above and that eligible residents will not be able to participate on WIC unless the conditions are met

d. Applicants with No Proof of Residency at Certification (Forgot Documentation) When an applicant has proof of residency but did not bring it to the certification appointment and is found eligible to receive benefits, they are to be informed that they can receive benefits for one month and will need to provide proof of residency before more benefits are issued. The applicant shall sign the “Forgot Documentation – ID/Address/Income” signature type accessible through the Family, Client, or Income screens. They are to be issued one month of food benefits and shall provide proof of residency within 30 days.

VIII. Certification August 2021 8.005 - 3 e. No Proof of Residency due to Theft, Loss, or Disaster When an applicant has no proof of residency as a result of being a victim of theft, loss, or disaster, the applicant shall sign the “No Proof Exists – ID/Address/Income” signature type found on the Family screen in HANDS. Staff will choose “No Proof Exists- ID/Address/Income” as the type of residency documentation. Staff may issue up to three months of Food Benefits. Note: Food benefits shall not be withheld for failure to provide updated proof of residency during a certification. f. Homeless Applicants/Participants For homeless applicants/participants, the address of a friend, relative, or homeless institution through which the applicant/ participant could be contacted shall be collected, if possible. If this is not possible, the word “HOMELESS” or the service site’s address shall be used. When an applicant has no proof of residency as a result of homelessness, the applicant shall sign the “No Proof Exists – ID/Address/Income” signature type found on the Family screen in HANDS, which will become a part of their permanent record. Staff will choose “No Proof Exists-ID/Address/Income” as the type of residency documentation. Staff may issue up to three months of food benefits. Note: Food benefits shall not be withheld for failure to provide updated proof of residency during a certification. g. Refugees In order to meet the WIC Program residency requirement, an applicant must live in the District of Columbia at the time of application. Refugees may not have a permanent place to live and, therefore, may be considered homeless. The applicant shall sign the “No Proof Exists – ID/Address/Income” signature type found on the Family screen in HANDS. Staff will choose “No Proof Exists-ID/Address/Income” as the type of residency documentation. Staff may issue up to three months of food benefits. h. Applicants with a Change of Address during a Certification If there is a change of address during a certification period and the participant does not have proof of the new address with them, staff shall enter the new address and select “Forgot Documentation” as the proof of residency. The participant shall sign the “Forgot Documentation – ID/Address/Income” signature type accessible through the Family, Client, or Income screens. Staff may issue up to three months of food benefits and have the participant provide proof at the next appointment. When proof of the new address is provided, staff shall update the proof of residency with the type of documentation provided. Note: Food benefits shall not be withheld for failure to provide updated proof of residency during a certification. IV. Procedures The following procedure shall be followed to determine and document residential eligibility: 1. Determine residential eligibility based on the above criteria 2. Record the type of documentation provided on the Family screen in the participant’s HANDS record