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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 07/1998

SOURCES OF VERIFICATION, COLLATERAL CONTACTS

0010.09

A person outside the assistance unit may provide written or oral proof of a client's statements. You may confirm the information with the collateral contact. Get written permission from the client before contacting the collateral source.

You and the client must agree on the suitability of the contact. If a suitable collateral contact cannot verify or refuses to verify the information, the client must cooperate in trying to find another contact. A contact's refusal to cooperate does not constitute the client's refusal to cooperate. If a suitable contact is not available, use another method of verification.

If possible, get a signed, written statement from the collateral contact to place in the case file. If this is not possible, place a written description of the contact in the case file, including:

● The contact's title, address, and phone number, if available.

● The date of the contact.

● A description of the information in the case notes.