Page 128

MS 3600

[1]

Volume 2 - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) MS 3600 – R. 6/1/17 – OMTL – 511 Enumeration Requirements for SNAP

A. As a requirement for applying and participating in SNAP, each household member must provide their Social Security Number (SSN). Providing this requested information is voluntary; however, failure to provide an SSN will result in the denial of food benefits to the individual who fails to provide an SSN. Staff should advise applicants of this provision at initial certification and member add. Household members denied for this reason are considered excluded members.

If the household can provide a Social Security card or other official documentation provided by an organization or source that verifies the SSN, scan it into the Electronic Case File (ECF).

B. SSNs entered on the system at application or member add are sent to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and matched against the Numident file.

C. When entering an application or member-add for an individual who has never been on the system, the State On-Line Query (SOLQ) match process is completed to prevent an incorrect SSN from being used. SOLQ provides real- time verification of SSNs and allows staff to address discrepancies face-to-face with an individual.

If a discrepancy occurs between the SSN entered on the system and SOLQ, and the discrepancy cannot be resolved at the time the SSN is entered, then request the applicant to verify the SSN by a copy of the Social Security Card or written verification from SSA.

D. When a case member does not provide an SSN, that case member must apply for an SSN as outlined in this subchapter, section SSN Applications.

If the household is eligible for expedited services, request, but do not require, the household to apply for SSNs prior to initial certification. However, allow those household members unable to provide the required SSN or who do not have one prior to the first full month of participation to continue to participate only if the household applies for an SSN or satisfies the good cause requirements outlined in this subchapter, section Good Cause Criteria. Newborns may be certified up to six months without an SSN, prior to having to show good cause.

If the household is not eligible for expedited services, require the household to apply for SSNs for each member.

E. Acceptable documents for meeting “Good Cause” requirements are:

1. Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, completed with all required verification; 2. Form SS-10;