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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 01/2020

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.

During the certification period, verify changes whenever they occur and allow the client 10 days to return proof. 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 and property insurance. Verify property taxes and property insurance when the unit indicates that there are other expenses in the escrow account that are not allowable housing expenses. See 0018.15 (Shelter Deductions).

● 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 verification is not returned after allowing the client 10 days to return the verification, budget the change if it decreases benefits and verify the medical expense at recertification. If the change increases benefits, do not budget the change and verify the expense at the next recertification.

● The amount of a court-ordered child support obligation and the amount of child support actually paid to another household, in order to allow the support as a deduction. See 0018.33 (Child and Spousal Support Deductions).

For processing applications when non-mandatory verifications are not provided at the time of the application interview, see 0005.12.15.01 (Processing SNAP Application Non-Mandatory Verification).

For processing recertifications when non-mandatory verifications are not provided at the time of the recertification interview, see 0009.06.03.03 (Processing SNAP Recertification Non-Mandatory Verification).