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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2021

NON-MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP

0010.18.02.03

See 0010.18 (Mandatory Verifications) for mandatory verifications that apply to all programs.

MFIP, DWP, MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions. See 0010.18.01 (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance).

SNAP: See 0010.18.02 (Mandatory Verifications – SNAP) for the mandatory verifications for SNAP.

The following are non-mandatory verifications. Require verification only IF an applicant/participant wants a deduction from their income for the following: ● Housing costs. Verify at application in order to allow the expense as a deduction. Open the case but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return requested verification. If the unit returns verification outside of the 10-day request period, allow the housing expense as a deduction the month following the month the verification was provided. If the verification is received on weekends, holidays, or after hours, the received date of the verification is the next business day.

If the unit is residing in a GRH setting or has subsidized housing, also obtain verification of what amounts are being paid by GRH or the housing subsidy and what the client is paying. Only what the client is paying is allowed as a deduction.

During the certification period, verify changes whenever they occur and allow the unit 10 days to return proof. If the unit returns verification within the 10-day request period, update the case with the change the month following the month the client reported the change. If verification is not returned after allowing the client 10 days to return the verification, budget the change if it decreases benefits and verify the housing cost at recertification. If the change increases benefits, do not budget the change and verify the housing cost at the next recertification. See TEMP Manual TE02.08.190 (Shelter Deduction: Change NC/PC Codes) for instructions on how to code STAT/SHEL in these situations.

If the unit moves residences during their certification period, request verification of their housing costs at their new residence and allow the unit 10 days to return verification. If the unit does not return verification, remove any previous housing costs allowed as a deduction from the budget, allowing for proper 10-day notice. If the unit later provides verification, allow the housing cost as a deduction the month following the month the unit provided verification.

At recertification, any change in housing costs needs to be verified to allow the expense as a deduction. Process the recertification but do NOT allow the housing cost as a deduction if it is NOT verified after allowing 10 days to return the requested verification.

● Use of the standard utility allowance(s) does not need to be verified, unless there is inconsistent information. See 0010.15 (Verification – Inconsistent Information), 0018.15.09 (Utility Deductions).

● Property taxes. If the property taxes are paid through a mortgage escrow account, the mortgage statement showing the amount paid for property taxes can be used to verify both expenses. When the property taxes are not paid through a mortgage escrow account, separate verification of the property tax expense is needed.. This can be obtained through the county's assessor website.

● Homeowner's insurance. The unit must provide verification of the amount they are paying to insure the structure of the home. Insurance on personal property that is billed on a separate premium or rider, is not allowed. When homeowner's insurance is paid through a mortgage escrow account, the mortgage statement showing the amount paid for the homeowner's insurance can be used to verify both expenses. See 0018.15 (Shelter Deductions). When the homeowner's insurance is not paid through a mortgage escrow account, separate verification of the homeowner’s insurance is needed.

● Some medical expenses in order to allow the expenses as a deduction. See 0018.12 (Medical Deductions) for when you can allow the expenses and when to require verification.

If a unit reports changes in their medical expenses during their certification period, request verification and allow the unit 10 days to return verification. If the unit returns verification within the 10-day request period, update the case with the change the month following the month the client reported the change. If verification is not returned after allowing the client 10 days to