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If an individual cannot furnish satisfactory evidence of the non-receipt or the amount of a benefit, it will be necessary for the worker to write the Public Employees' Retirement System, 429 Mississippi Street PERS Building, Jackson, MS 39201 for verification. MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT BENEFITS State retirement benefits are based on length of service and salary. The address for verification of benefit status is the same as that previously mentioned. VETERANS BENEFITS These benefits are available to those persons who, by reason of 90 days of active duty in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard (in wartime only) are termed veterans. Benefits are also available to their dependents and dependent survivors. Benefits for veterans are administered by the Veterans' Administration (VA). Veterans Benefits can be accessed through the INIM Screen, Function 5 “PARIS VA”. The PARIS VETERAN MATCH (PRVA) screen provides information on a SNAP and /or TANF applicant/recipient who, based on the Social Security Number (SSN) submitted to PARIS, is receiving Veteran’s Benefits. The information will be requested quarterly and the file is processed on the 15th of March, June, September and December. This is an overnight batch process and the file is available in MAVERICS, the next working day after the 15th of each quarter. This inquiry should be performed for each household member at application, reapplication, reevaluation, and when a new household member (other than a new born) is added to the

Volume III | Chapter 4

Assistance Unit. This data is not considered verified upon receipt. Upon review of the data, if there are any discrepancies, the worker may request the client to provide verification or contact the Veterans Administration to verify VA benefits received. The worker must document IIDO behind the UNIN screen in MAVERICS regarding VA income and any discrepancies. If a call is required, the worker must provide his/her name, job title, county office name, the VA recipient’s claim number or the Veterans name and social security number. The VA has a toll free line and can usually give instant information concerning the status of a claim or the amount of payment. As long as the information is for the veteran's benefit, the VA will provide this information to the Agency. A veteran may also use this number to check on his claim or change his/her address. The toll free line for all areas in Mississippi is: 1- 800-827-1000. Although the VA prefers the above method, the county may send a written individual request for each person to the Veterans Affairs Division of the Veterans Administration, 1600 E Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS 39216. It is not necessary to have the written permission of the veteran to obtain the information. The request from the county, whether by phone or in writing, should contain as much of the following information as possible: 4208 MISSISSIPPI [ INCOME: UNEARNED INCOME ]

Revised 10 - 01 - 14