1141.010.15 National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) Matches – DSS Manuals

IM-15 March 13, 2024

The National Accuracy Clearinghouse (NAC) is an interstate data system established by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to prevent individuals from receiving SNAP benefits in more than one state at the same time. As part of a computer matching agreement, the agency provides information for each SNAP participant approved to receive benefits to the NAC to be matched with data provided by other states’ SNAP agencies. To ensure participants only receive benefits in the state in which they reside, the agency must take action on any match received from the NAC.

NAC at Application, Recertification, or Adding a Person :

Prior to using the NAC at application, recertification, or adding a new household member, the following must be verified following normal procedures:

Social Security Number (SSN)

Residency, and

Identity

If a positive match is received, the agency has 10 days from the date of the match to resolve it and notify the other state agency of the initiated action. In order to determine the appropriate action(s) to take on the case, the state agency must resolve the match by verifying any questionable information and notifying the individual of the match. No action can be taken on a NAC match until the household has been provided notice of the match and an opportunity to respond.

The agency must send a written Notice of Match Results (NOMR) for any match that requires additional information to resolve, or could result in the denial of benefits or an adverse action on the case. The NOMR must clearly explain the information needed from the household, the consequences of failing to respond to the notice, and give at least 10 days for a response.

For a match that has no potential for adverse action and the agency can resolve without additional verification, a written NOMR is not required. However, a verbal notification must be given to the individual and documented in the case file.

Once a case action is determined, it must be shared promptly with the other state agency through the NAC portal. The NAC match process should not delay the determination of benefits for an individual following the timeliness standards for normal processing and expedited service, as applicable. The eligibility system cannot issue SNAP benefits while a NAC match is pending, except when a vulnerable individual is identified as living in a domestic violence shelter.

NAC Matches Received During the Certification Period :

During the certification period, the NAC data is shared systematically on a daily basis to discover existing duplicate participation and provide notifications to other state agencies if matches are found for participants. NAC matches received during the certification period are considered unclear information. All matches received and actions taken must be documented in the participant’s case file.

For a NAC data match received during the certification period, a NOMR combined with a Notice of Adverse Action must be sent to the household. The NOMR must clearly explain the information needed from the household, the consequences of failing to respond to the notice, and give at least 10 days for a response.

If the household does not respond to the NOMR or does respond, and fails to provide enough information to clarify its circumstances, the eligibility system will remove the matched individual(s) from the household and adjust benefits accordingly. Once an appropriate action has been made on the case, the agency must communicate with the other state to inform them of the initiated actions through the NAC web portal.

NAC Matching Involving Vulnerable Individuals :

The agency must ensure that any information resulting from a NAC match, including identity and location, is protected when a vulnerable individual is indicated in a positive match.

For the purposes of the NAC, a vulnerable individual could include, but is not limited to:

A resident of a shelter for battered women or children,

A resident of a domestic violence shelter,

Any person who self-identifies as fleeing domestic violence, or

Anyone who might be endangered by the release of their information.

While the change in the household composition resulting from the move of the vulnerable individual must be communicated to the former household via a notice of adverse action, any communication or notice resulting from a NAC match must not include the location of the participant(s) identified in the match to protect possible vulnerable individuals.