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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES MANUAL

GENERAL PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS FNS 160 AUTOMATED INQUIRY AND MATCH PROCEDURES

1 Section 160 Change 03-2021 June 1, 2021 FNS 160 AUTOMATED INQUIRY AND MATCH PROCEDURES Change #03-2021 June 1, 2021

160.01 INCOME AND ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION SYSTEM (IEVS) REQUIREMENTS Federal regulations require the State to maintain and use an IEVS. Using the social security number (SSN) for all household members, the State matches information with the following agencies: • Division of Employment Services • Social Security Administration • Internal Revenue Service • Other State agencies A. Information gained through the IEVS process is used to: 1. Verify eligibility; 2. Determine the amount of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) benefits due to eligible FNS units; 3. Investigate a potential overissuance of FNS benefits; and 4. Obtain information that is used in conducting criminal or civil prosecutions based on the receipt of FNS benefits to which they were entitled by participating FNS units. Note: Use of the IEVS process does not relieve the FNS household from the responsibility to provided required verifications. If information in incorrect or unavailable through the IEVS process request the information from the FNS household using the DSS-8650, Notice of Information Needed. B. In addition to using the State-produced match reports and North Carolina Families Accessing Services through Technology (NC FAST) produced worker tasks, the county Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to conduct NC FAST on-line data matches at application, reapplication or recertification to verify eligibility and reduce the incidence of fraud. Matches are to be completed, when appropriate, to verify reported changes. C. Complete appropriate action on match reports that are “verified upon receipt” within 30 calendar days of the date on the match report unless adverse action is required FRR’s and BEER’s are not considered verified upon receipt and no action is taken until the next recertification. If adverse action is required, issue the notice no later than the 30th calendar day. D. Refer to the NC FAST Help for instructions on how to handle worker tasks generated by the system.