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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES VERIFICATION/DOCUMENTATION

10/25 VOLUME V, PART III, PAGE 12

For changes that result in a decrease in the benefit amount or that cause no change in the benefit amount, the BPS must act on the change with or without verification of the change. If the BPS does not verify the changed element at the time of handling the change, the agency must verify the element in conjunction with processing the Interim Report, if applicable, but not later than for the next recertification.

2. Verification Requirements

The BPS must verify the following elements if changes are reported:

• Earned income. Verify the new amount. • Unearned income if the source changed or the amount changed by more than $125 since the last verification. • Number of hours worked or performed for a work activity for persons subject to the work requirement. • Voluntarily reported medical expenses that establish the household is eligible for the medical standard deduction. Verify the new amounts. • Voluntarily reported medical expenses for households that are claiming actual medical expenses. Verify the new amounts.

If the BPS learns of a change in medical expenses, from a source other than the household, the BPS must act on the change if the expense is verified upon receipt and if the BPS can make the change without additional information or verification from the household. If the change requires additional information from the household, the BPS may not act on the change during the certification period. • The legal obligation to pay child support or the amount actually paid.

In addition to verifying changed elements that may affect the benefit amount, the agency must address other changes when changes occur, but no later than at recertification, for elements such as:

• Residency • Identity (if the person whose identity was verified is no longer a household member) • Immigrant status • Money received that is reported as a loan

The agency must request verification for any changes where the information provided is questionable, as defined in Part III.A.2, or for information that is incomplete, inaccurate, or inconsistent. The local agency cannot require verification of other changes, except as indicated here, but the agency may seek clarification or explanations of the household's circumstances.

When attempts to verify mandated items are unsuccessful because someone outside the household fails to cooperate with the household or the local agency, the BPS must determine the information to be used for SNAP purposes based on the best available information. The agency must explore alternate sources of verification available.

TRANSMITTAL #36