Page 23

22

Vermont Department for Children and Families Seasonal Fuel Assistance Rules Economic Services Division 2909 Social Security Numbers

2909 Social Security Numbers (06/22/2024, 23-18)

a. A household must provide the Department with the Social Security Number (SSN) of every household member who is six months of age or older.

1. If a member has more than one SSN, all numbers must be provided.

b. If a household is unable to provide the SSN of a member (who is six months of age or older), either because the SSN is not known or has not been issued, the household must do all of the following:

1. Apply for an SSN for the member;

2. Provide the Department with proof that the SSN has been applied for; and

3. Provide the Department with the SSN when it is received.

c. If, without good cause, a household does not provide a member’s SSN, or proof that the member applied for an SSN:

1. The Department must not count that person as a household member when calculating household size; and

2. The Department must include that person’s income when calculating household income.

d. A household has good cause for not providing a member’s SSN (or proof of application for one) under any of the following circumstances:

1. A household has good cause if the member without an SSN is under six months old.

2. A household has good cause if the member refuses to provide or apply for an SSN based on a sincere religious objection.

i. The Department may check with the Social Security Administration to see if the household members already have SSNs, and may use any existing SSNs for verification and matching purposes without further notice to the household; or