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(a) Demographic Information

The LDSS/LHD verifies an applicant’s Social Security Number and benefits and any Medicare number and enrollment by checking SDZX/SVES/SOLQ. It is only necessary to request verifications from the A/R (e.g. copy of social security card or Medicare card) if there is a discrepancy or the LDSS cannot otherwise obtain the required information. The A/R’s declaration on the application that the applicant is a US citizen is accepted without verification, and only needs to be verified by the A/R if there is a discrepancy. If the A/R reports that the applicant is a legal alien, the LDSS verifies the applicant’s alien status through Systematize Alien Verification Systems (SAVE), and only requests verification if there is a discrepancy or need for additional information. It is necessary for the A/R to provide verification of the applicant’s marital status such as a copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree. Maryland does not recognize common law marriage. A couple which is considered married under state law has a spouse to spouse financial responsibility until they have received a divorce decree or until one spouse dies.

(b) Income

SSI, Social Security, and Railroad retirement benefits are verified by the LDSS through SDX/SVES/SOLQ. MABS is available as an additional verification of the amount of each type of countable income received by the applicant. Earnings must be verified for the past month or 4 weeks. The CM may request additional verifications if necessary to determine the A/R’s gross countable income. See the section “Verification/Documentation” in the Appendix of this Manual for examples of acceptable income verifications.