4. SOURCE OF VERIFICATION

A. Documentary evidence is used as the primary source of verification for all items except residency and household size. Some examples of documentary evidence are wage stubs, rent receipts, and utility bills. Acceptable verification is not limited to any single type of document.

B. Whenever documentary evidence is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, or cannot be obtained, a collateral contact may be required. Generally, the Department shall rely on the household to provide the name of any collateral contact. The household may ask for help in designating a collateral contact.

When the collateral contact, designated by the household, cannot provide an accurate third party verification, the Department shall do one of the following:

(1) designate another collateral contact;

(2) ask the household to designate another collateral contact; or

(3) ask the household to provide an alternative form of verification.

NOTE: The Department is responsible for obtaining verification from acceptable contacts. A collateral contact is an oral confirmation of a household's circumstances by a person outside the household. The contact may be made by the Department either in person or by telephone. The Department shall not require written statements by collateral contacts as a condition of eligibility. Some examples of acceptable collateral contacts include employers, lessors, social service agencies, and neighbors who can be expected to provide accurate third-party verification.

Prior to making any collateral contact, the Department shall inform the household of the proposed contact, what information is required, and why the contact is needed.

Households must be provided a clear notice of their right to withdraw their application if they do not want the Department to pursue a collateral contact designated by the Department.