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Page | 266 14211 QUESTIONABLE SOURCE

A source is considered questionable if the information is inconsistent, unreliable, conflicting, or incomplete. If the source is questionable, document the reported information but do not enter it on ACCESS until it is no longer questionable. Examples of questionable information are an anonymous caller, neighbor, etc

New Hire hits are not questionable, but income must be verified prior to budgeting. the new hire hit information is entered on ACCESS, but the source code is “OTH” and not verified until verification is received.

14212 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION CHANGES IN INTERIM MONTHS

If changes in household composition are reported in an interim month, how the change is budgeted depends on who makes the report.  If the household reports the change in composition, the primary source code “HHSZ” is used as the source code.  However, if another worker reports a change in household composition, then the source code is “OTH”, and is not a primary source.

If a new household member is reported to have moved into the household, even if that person is not purchasing and preparing meals with the household, the primary source of “HHSZ” is used to add the member to the household.

A. New household member added to the household The household member’s income, resources and eligibility status are required to be reported prior to the person being added to SNAP benefits. For SNAP cases with countable earned income: 1. The new household member is not added to the household until his/her income is verified if he/she has income and adding the new member results in an increase in benefits. Example: The neighbor reports that Jane’s children must have moved out because the neighbor does not see them as much as she used to. This information is considered questionable, so no change is made. The narrative should document the report and why it is questionable. Example 1: A new hire hit is received showing Jane has started employment. There is not enough information to determine Jane’s eligibility. Send a notice reminding Jane of her responsibility to report if the household income exceeds the maximum allowed. Enter the information on a JINC panel showing OTH as the source, not verified, and zero in the amount. it is entered on ACCESS is because you know Jane was hired for the job so that is not questionable. The amount and hours of employment are questionable. Example 2: New Hire hit received showing Michael has started employment. New Hire notice is sent to Michael and JINC panel is entered. At the next six month report Michael calls to report he never started working at this job. The Benefits Specialist should double check DLR to see if wages are shown for the new hire hit. If no wages show, then the JINC panel can be removed. The customer does not have the responsibility to verify something that never happened, and the Benefits Specialist did their due diligence by checking DLR.