9003 Disclosure

[272.1(c)] Use or disclosure of information obtained from Food Stamp applicant households is restricted to: 1. Persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the provisions of the Food Stamp Act or regulations, other Federal assistance programs or federally assisted State programs which provide assistance on a means-tested basis to low income individuals, or general assistance programs subject to the joint processing requirements in DSSM 9042 . 2. Employees of the U.S. Comptroller General's Office for audit examination authorized by any other provision of law; and 3. Local, State, or Federal law enforcement officials, upon their written request, for the purpose of investigating an alleged violation of the Food Stamp Act or regulations. The written request must include the identity of the individual requesting the information and his authority to do so, the violation being investigated and the identity of the person on whom the information is requested. DSS shall also make available to law enforcement officers, on official duty, the address, social security number, and a photograph (if available) of a food stamp recipient if the officer furnishes the recipient's name and informs DSS that the individual is fleeing to avoid prosecution, custody or confinement for a felony, is violating a condition of parole or probation, or has information necessary for the officer to conduct an official duty related to a felony/parole violation. 4. Persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the programs required to participate in the State Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS), to the extent that the food stamp information is useful in establishing or verifying eligibility or benefit amounts under those programs. 5. Persons directly connected with the administration of the Child Support Program (IV- D) in order to assist in the administration of that program, and employees of the Secretary of Health and Human Services as necessary to assist in establishing or verifying eligibility or benefits under Title II (RSDI) and Title XVI (SSI) of the Social Security Act. 6. Persons directly connected with the verification of immigration status of aliens applying for food stamp benefits, through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program, to the extent the information is necessary to identify the individual for verification purposes. (Also see DSSM 2013.5 ) Recipients of information released under this section must adequately protect the information against unauthorized disclosure to persons or for purposes not specified in this section. In addition, information received through the IEVS must be protected from unauthorized disclosure as required by regulations established by the information provider. Information released to DSS pursuant to section 6103 (1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is subject to the safeguards established by the Secretary of the Treasury in section 6103 (1) of the Internal Revenue Code and implemented by the Internal Revenue Service in its publication Tax Information and Security Guidelines.