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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2018

VERIFYING FAMILY VIOLENCE

0010.18.33

For provisions relating to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determination for self-petitioned Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status by battered non-citizens, see 0011.03.21 (Non-Citizens - Victims of Battery/Cruelty).

MFIP, DWP: The provisions apply to verifying domestic abuse relating to the Family Violence Waiver Option. See 0005.12.12.09 (Family Violence Provisions/Referrals).

A client who claims that he/she is a victim of family violence and wants to claim a Family Violence Waiver must provide documentation of the abuse.

Consider any of the following as acceptable verification of family violence:

● Police, government agency, or court records.

● Statement from a battered women’s shelter staff person or a sexual assault or domestic violence advocate with knowledge of the circumstances.

● Statement from a professional from whom the client has sought assistance about the abuse.

● Sworn statement from the participant AND sworn statement from any other person with knowledge of the circumstances.

● Sworn statement from the participant AND any credible evidence that supports the client’s statement.

For the definition of a SWORN STATEMENT, see 0002.65 (Glossary: Suitable…).

You must help the client if he/she has difficulty in securing any of these items. You may also refer the client to a family violence advocate or legal services for help.

A client who claims good cause for IV-D and whose claim is approved may use the same documentation to verify family violence. Do NOT require the client to duplicate information already provided to the IV-D worker. See 0028.18 (Good Cause for Non- Compliance--MFIP/DWP).

SNAP, MSA, GA, GRH: No provisions.