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Subject: Families First Verification and Documentation

Policy 23.17 Date of Last Review: 06/26/2024 Effective Date: 07/01/2024 Date of Next Review: 06/26/2027 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 6 5. If there is any doubt of eligibility, the caseworker must resolve it using the best evidence available, including documentary evidence, collateral contacts, and home visits. 6. The customer's statement of the facts can be accepted as verification when: a. The AU has tried, without success, to obtain the needed verification; and b. The customer has requested assistance and the caseworker has exhausted all means of securing documentary evidence, without success. Note: The attempts made by both the customer and the caseworker must be documented in the eligibility and case management system. Sources of Verification 1. Documentary Evidence - Documentary evidence is written proof that is utilized to support the information provided by the AU and make a determination of eligibility. Documentary evidence is considered to be the primary source of information. 2. Collateral Contacts - In the absence of documentary evidence, a collateral statement may be accepted. A collateral contact is a verbal confirmation of the AU's circumstances by an individual outside of the home who is knowledgeable of the facts being verified by the AU. a. The caseworker may select the collateral contact or may ask the customer to provide a collateral contact. b. The caseworker is not obligated to accept the collateral contact named by the customer. c. The caseworker should interview the collateral contact thoroughly enough to ascertain the relationship and reliability of the collateral contact. This will ensure that a decision can be made through the collateral contact’s statements. d. A collateral contact should not be used to verify technical eligibility information such as relationship or citizenship. 3. Home Visits - A home visit may be scheduled to verify the AU’s circumstances when there is no documentary evidence or collateral contact available. A home visit must be scheduled in advance with the household to complete or confirm a required verification and must not put an undue burden on the customer or the caseworker. Verifications Required at Initial Application The following must be verified for all initial applications: 1. Residence; 2. Citizenship and/or Alien Status; 3. Social Security Number or application for a Social Security Number; 4. AU composition; 5. Age; 6. Relationship; 7. Living with a specified relative;