GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL CT Residency Requirements

Policy No. CT- 800.02 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 2

Revised June 2018

Page 1 of 2

Policy Local agencies (LAs) must verify each applicant/participant is a Georgia resident at each certification prior to providing WIC services in a way that does not constitute a barrier to any individual, including an individual who is mobile (e.g. homeless individual, applicants living at a campsite or in a car, military personnel or migrant). LA staff must ask the participant to state their address at each recertification to ensure residency has not changed. LAs must obtain a verification of residency anytime a change of residency or custody occurs. Residency must be verified at the receiving clinic at the time of a transfer. Vacations may not be considered for residency.

LA cannot require length of residency, fixed residence, or a mailing address for an applicant to receive services.

Proof must be in the applicant’s or spouse’s name. Children are considered residents of the state in which their parent/caretaker resides. Proof of residency for children can be in their parent/caretaker’s name.

Applicants may apply for and receive WIC benefits in the county in which he/she resides or at any clinic of their choice within the state of Georgia.

Purpose To provide program integrity, ensuring that those applying for WIC benefits from the Georgia WIC Program reside within the State of Georgia. Procedures

I. Local Agency will verify proof of residency by reviewing one of the following:

A. The physical copy presented on site by the applicant/participant.

B. A document uploaded by the applicant or another program in Georgia Gateway.

II. Complete the Proof of Residency Form for Applicants for applicant/participant(s) who has a PO box.

III. File the completed Proof of Residency Form for Applicants in the participants record

IV. Continue to use the current Proof of Residency Form for Applicants if there is no change in the PO Box and the physical address is still the same.

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL CT Residency Requirements

Policy No. CT- 800.02 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 2

Revised June 2018

Page 2 of 2

V. Request new proof of residency when informed of a residency change during the categorically eligibility period.

VI. Refer to Identification, Residency and Income Reporting Codes for a list of Gateway Codes

VII. Ensure billing statements provided by applicant/participant (including utility bill, etc.) are within the past 30 days for proof of residency.

VIII. Require applicant/participant who is unable to provide proof of residency to complete the Client Statement Form. File the completed form in the participant’s record or scan it into Georgia Gateway.

IX. Allow military personnel to use their temporary duty station where the WIC participant lives as their residence for WIC purposes, even though they vote and pay taxes in another state.

X. Accept a copy of a bill with the parent, guardian, or other person’s name for a minor prenatal, breastfeeding, or postpartum applicant who resides with his/her parent(s), guardian(s), other relative(s), or with someone that is not related to them as proof of residency. Require applicant/participant to complete a Verification of Residency and/or Income Form and file or scan the form into the participant’s WIC record.

Authority 7 CFR § 246.2 (definitions) 7 CFR § 246.7 (c)(1)(i) and (c)(2)(i)

Definition/Supporting Information Migrant Farmworkers – Individuals and their family members whose principal employment (over 50 percent) is in agriculture on a seasonal basis, who have been employed within the last 24 months, and who have established a temporary residence for the purpose of such employment. Examples of employment in agriculture include: field worker, cannery worker, packing shed worker, farm equipment operator, harvester, logger, timber worker, log hauler (e.g., timber, crops). Residency-The location or address where an applicant routinely lives or spends the night.