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Page | 236 12530 DENIALS BASED ON QUESTIONABLE INFORMATION

Questionable information or inconsistent information is not in itself reason for denial. Benefits Specialists should deny the case when a customer refuses or fails to give information to clarify questionable information or inconsistent information. Benefits Specialists must give the household the opportunity to clarify the situation and provide reasonable assistance in obtaining verification of questionable situations as necessary.

12540 VERIFYING QUESTIONABLE SITUATIONS

The household has the primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support statements on the application and to resolve any questionable information. DSS must assist the household in obtaining the verification provided the household cooperates in obtaining the verification.

Households may supply documentary evidence in person through the mail, fax, or through an authorized representative. DSS should not require the household to present verification in person at the office, unless the issue is with a household composition situation. DSS will accept any reasonable documentary evidence provided by the household and will be primarily concerned with how adequately the verification proves the statement on the application.

Information received from the Federal Data Services Hub (the Hub) for the Medicaid Program must be acted on if it impacts SNAP eligibility or benefits but is not considered verified. The source code for HUB information is OTH, unless the income makes the household ineligible, then it is MAXS. The verification code is “N” until independent verification is received.

Information from the Hub is from the following sources: • SSA: Social Security Number, Citizenship, Qualifying Quarters, Prisoner data, and income information • EQUIFAX: The Work Number employment information • IRS: Self-employment only • VLP: Verify Lawful Presence Response information

Form DSS-EA-308, Information Request, automated notice, and Spec C NOTC, may be used to request verification or information from households. The DSS-EA-349 may be used to request verification from six month reporting households.

A. Household Composition and Size Benefits Specialists must verify household composition or size, if questionable. In most cases, EABS accept the customer’s statement on who buys and prepares meals together to verify household composition. If the Specialist questions a household’s claim of separate household status, the household is responsible for providing verification to the EABS satisfaction. Verification of questionable situations could include, but is not limited to using school records, census records, income tax forms, or other documents which show the number of persons in the home. Benefits Specialists may also use a collateral contact if documentary evidence is not readily available.

Deceased individuals are not eligible for benefits.