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Volume II OMTL-511 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program R. 6/1/17 MS 7020 VERIFICATION OF (1) QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION To be considered questionable, the information on the application must be inconsistent with statements made by the applicant, with other information on the application or previous applications, or with information received from other sources. When determining if information is questionable, base the decision on each household's individual circumstances. If information is considered questionable, verification is required for: A. [HOUSEHOLD SIZE AND COMPOSITION. Factors such as boarder status and separate household status require independent verification. Individuals who claim separate household status are responsible for proving the claim. Hotline calls which report that other members are in the household that are not listed on the application, require independent verification of household size.] B. INCOME/EXPENSES. A household's report of expenses which exceed its income is questionable. Example: A household who reports no income but is still managing to pay bills, justifies further verification. However, this circumstance is not sufficient grounds for a denial. Instead, explore with the household how it is managing its finances, whether the household receives excluded income or has resources, and how long the household has managed under these circumstances. C. DEDUCTIBLE EXPENSES. A household’s report of shelter costs for a home that is temporarily unoccupied because of employment or training away from the home, illness, or abandonment caused by a natural disaster or casualty loss are responsible for providing verification of the expense, if the expense would result in a deduction. If a deductible expense must be verified and obtaining the verification may delay the household's certification, tell the household that their eligibility and benefit level may be determined without providing a deduction for the claimed, but unverified expense. The expense will be allowed after the verification is provided. D. FOOD LOSS. Repeated requests for replacements from the same household may be considered questionable and require independent verification such as a written statement from a collateral contact, landlord statement, receipt of new appliance, or an appliance repair receipt. E. [LIQUID RESOURCES AND LOANS. When verifying that income is exempt as a loan, a legally binding agreement is not required. However, a contract or written statement signed by both parties that have the basic parts of a loan contract is acceptable. The loan document must consist of an offer and acceptance that is made, full and complete terms, and a consideration. If the household receives payments to meet expenses on a recurring or regular basis from the same source for more than three months, but claims the payments are loans, the provider of the loan may complete and sign form PAFS- 73, Verification of Contributions-Loans-Roomer/Boarder Status or sign a written statement. A written statement from the provider of the loan is acceptable IF it includes the offer and acceptance along with the full and complete terms of the loan and consideration. If form PAFS-73 is not completed and signed, showing that repayments are being made or that payments will be made in