Sources of verification include documentary evidence,
collateral contacts or home visits. In all cases the source of the verification
must be documented in the case record.
(A)
Documentary
Evidence. Workers shall use documentary evidence as the primary
source of verification for all items except household size which may be
verified by collateral contact. Documentary evidence consists of a written
confirmation of a household's circumstances. Examples of documentary evidence
shall include: wage stubs, SDX data, and utility bills. Although documentary
evidence shall be the primary source of verification, acceptable verification
shall not be limited to any specific type of document and may be obtained
through the household or other source. Workers shall use an alternate source of
verification such as collateral contact or home visit, when documentary
evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to make a firm determination of
eligibility or benefit level.
When the verification is an original document, a photocopy of
the document must be made, if possible. If circumstances prevent the
photocopying of a document and a copy is not available, the worker must record
the source and date of the document. The household must be permitted to keep
the original document.
(B)
Collateral Contact. A collateral contact is a verbal
confirmation of a household's circumstances by a person outside of the
household. The collateral contact may be made either in person or over the
telephone. The acceptability of a collateral contact shall not be restricted to
a particular individual but may be anyone who can be expected to provide
accurate third-party verification of the household's statements. Examples of
acceptable collateral contacts are employers, landlords, social service
agencies, migrant service agencies, and neighbors of the household. The worker
shall rely on the household to provide the name of any collateral contact. The
household may request assistance in designating a collateral contact. The
worker is responsible for obtaining verification from acceptable collateral
contacts and is not required to use a collateral contact designated by the
household if it cannot be expected to provide accurate third-party
verification. When the collateral contact is unacceptable, the worker shall
either ask the household to designate another collateral contact or substitute
a home visit.
SDX documents are not considered collateral contacts and
therefore need not be designated by the household.
(C)
Home Visit. Home
visits shall be used as verification only if documentary evidence cannot be
obtained or is insufficient to make a determination of eligibility or benefit
level, and the visit is scheduled in advance with the household.
