b. Verifying Community Service

An applicable individual may also demonstrate community engagement by completing not less than 80 hours of community service through a structured program that is completed for the direct benefit of the community under the auspices of a public or nonprofit organization in a month, consistent with section 1902(xx)(2)(B) of the Act and § 435.552(a)(2) and (b). In addition, section II.C.2. of this IFC explains that, because community service needs vary by State and locality, the types of activities considered qualifying community service may also differ between States. As such, we believe States are in the best position to identify sources of reliable information available to the State that will be effective in verifying community service hours. Where possible, we recommend that States work with organizations through which an individual may participate in qualifying community service to establish data exchanges that will assist with this verification.

We also understand that there will be many instances in which there is no reliable information available to the State, and developing a process to exchange or obtain information electronically from potential data sources would be ineffective or infeasible. In the absence of reliable information available to the State, or when the reliable information available to the State is not reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of an applicable individual, the State must have procedures in place to verify hours of community service in an ( printed page 33400) auditable manner (that is, a manner that yields records that can be produced for audit or other review purposes). States must ensure the individual's case record contains sufficient information (including documentation when applicable) to support the State's determination of eligibility, including with respect to community engagement. For the purpose of verifying community service hours, examples of the information that would support a determination may include documentation containing details about the general nature of the program; the dates and hours of community service completed; a description of the community service activity; the organization's name and address; and the name and contact information (such as phone number and/or email address) of a point of contact at the organization who can confirm the hours completed. As described in section II.I.3. of this IFC, beginning on January 1, 2028, the State must require documentation if documentation is reasonably available when there is no reliable information available to the State or the reliable information is not reasonably compatible with the information provided by or on behalf of the individual. If documentation demonstrating participation in community service is not reasonably available, the State must have a process to accept other information sufficient (as determined by the State) to verify community service participation.