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Volume II

OMTL-642 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program R. 1/15/24

MS 7050 SOURCES OF VERIFICATION (1)

Verify information provided by the household by the following sources:

A. [DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. Use documentary evidence as the primary source of verification for all items in which verification is mandatory. The agency shall also accept verification from collateral contacts so long as the collateral contacts can provide accurate third-party verification.

When requesting verification of information from the household, first request that verification be provided by the original source or service provider before exploring alternate sources. A collateral contact call to the service provider can be used as documentary verification. This is the procedure that Quality Control (QC) uses when reviewing a case for accuracy.

For example: A landlord, or property manager are the best sources of rent verification. An employer or manager is the best source of employment verification. A collateral contact call to the original source can be used to obtain documentary verification.

Documentary evidence is written, or verbal confirmation of a household's circumstances. Examples include, but are not limited to: computer matches, social security cards, wage stubs, related tax forms for individuals with self- employment income, rent receipts, utility bills, or medical bills. Acceptable verification is not limited to any single type of document and is obtained from the household or other source. The household is not required to personally present verification at the food benefits office.]

For example: Tip income may be verified by a daily log, kept by the individual, of actual tips received. Alternatively, the allocated tip amount listed on pay stubs may be used, but ONLY if the individual states that this amount is representative of the actual tips received.

Whenever documentary evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, use alternate sources of verification such as those listed in the remainder of this section.

For example: Documentary evidence is considered insufficient when the household presents pay stubs which do not represent an accurate picture of the household's income or if provided verification appears falsified.

Please see Vol. I, MS 0131, on acceptable Electronic Income Verification (EIV).

When verifying pensions and statutory benefits such as RSDI, SSI and VA, for the first time or in the event of change, verification from the provider must be obtained. This includes benefit award letters, or online computer matches. Furthermore, computer match sources intended to verify one income type cannot be used to verify another income type.