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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 60 Whenever documentary evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, ESA may require collateral contacts. For example, documentary evidence may be considered insufficient when the household presents pay stubs that do not represent an accurate picture of the household's income (such as outdated pay stubs) or identification papers that appear to be falsified. 5.11.2 Collateral Contact A collateral contact is an oral confirmation of a household’s circumstances by a person outside the household. The collateral contact may be made either in person or over the telephone. ESA may select a collateral contact if the household fails to designate one or designates a collateral contact unacceptable to ESA. Examples of acceptable collateral contacts may include employers, landlords, social service agencies, migrant service agencies and neighbors of the household who can be expected to provide accurate third-party verification. Collateral contacts may be used as the primary source of verification for residency and household size. Generally, ESA will rely on the household to provide the name of any collateral contact. The household may request assistance in designating a collateral contact. ESA 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, ESA will either designate another collateral contact or ask the household to designate another collateral contact or to provide an alternative form of verification. ESA is responsible for obtaining verification from acceptable collateral contacts. When using a collateral contact to verify information, ESA must document their name, relationship to the applicant (e.g. neighbor, relative, employer), the date of contact, phone number and information discussed during the contact.

5.11.3 Data Matches Data matches can be used to verify factors of eligibility and benefit amounts. Information from data matches is considered verified upon receipt if the provider of the data match is the primary source of the information. Information from data matches is considered not verified upon receipt if the provider of the data match is not the primary source of the information or is the primary source of information but the information from the data match is questionable, incomplete, outdated or inconsistent. Table 5.11.3.a lists sources and related information that are considered verified upon receipt.

Legal Authority Sources of verification (federal): SNAP: 7 CFR § 273.2(f)(4) Return