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MS 0900 (1) Volume 1 – General Administration MS 0900 – R. 10/1/24 – OMTL-658 Determining Eligibility Through Extensive Review The Determining Eligibility Through Extensive Review (DETER) program is offered by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to prevent individuals from receiving benefits fraudulently. A DETER referral is appropriate ONLY if a specific issue affecting eligibility is identified. Cases that appear suspect are referred to the DETER program for investigation. A. Refer only applications and reapplications that cannot be resolved through normal case processing. DETER is not used on Expedited Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (ExSNAP) applications or State Supplementation applications. Only send a DETER referral if there has been a break in benefits. A break in benefits is defined as there is at least one month in between receipt of benefits. Example: An individual received benefits in January. The case discontinued effective February. The individual reapplies in February. Do not complete a DETER referral as there has not been a break in benefits. Example: An individual received benefits in January. The case discontinued effective February. The individual reapplies in March. A DETER referral can be completed since there has been at least a one month break in benefits. 1. Access the DETER function on the case summary screen on the Integrated Eligibility and Enrollment System (IEES). a. Enter detailed comments in the DETER referral window regarding the allegation and what case type is being referred to DETER. b. Scan all related information into the Electronic Case File (ECF). 2. DETER is operational in all counties. 3. Caseworkers must explore all avenues available to resolve the issue before referring the case to DETER. An inappropriate DETER referral will be returned to the worker. B. After satisfying the verification requirements or when all avenues have been exhausted, use the following guidelines to determine if a referral to DETER is appropriate. 1. During the initial application, the caseworker suspects the individual may have withheld information during the interview. 2. The individual provides any verification relative to the eligibility determination that appears to have been altered or not authentic. 3. The applicant provides contradictory information relative to any eligibility factor.