Revision 12-2; Effective June 1, 2012

Through interagency agreements, several automated verification systems have become available to staff. This has allowed staff to obtain necessary verifications in a more efficient and timely manner. All systems require specific password permission for access.

R-3710 Automated Status Verification Index

Revision 12-2; Effective June 1, 2012

The Automated Status Verification Index (ASVI) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) online system used to verify immigration status of non-citizens applying for benefits. The system is accessed through UNISCOPE EMULATION. Information is obtained using the individual's Alien Registration Number. Result response time is generally immediate.

If the Alien Registration Number is found by the system, the following information will be displayed:

  • Alien number
  • Last name
  • First name
  • Middle name
  • Date of birth
  • Country of birth
  • Alternate ID
  • Social Security number
  • Date of entry
  • USCIS (formerly INS) status
  • Verification number

Residency status is reported with one of the following messages:

  • Lawful Permanent Resident/Employment Authorized
  • Institute Secondary Verification
  • Temporary Resident/Temporary Employment Authorized

Refer to Section D-8000, Alien Status, for additional policy and verification information.

A user guide, ASVI/SAVE System, contains detailed information regarding access and data interpretation. The guides are available through unit supervisors. 

R-3720 Reserved for Future Use

Revision 20-2; Effective June 1, 2020

R-3730 State Online Query/Wire Third Party Query

Revision 12-2; Effective June 1, 2012

State Online Query (SOLQ) is a Social Security Administration (SSA) automated system used to verify Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The system is Windows-based. It uses the individual's name, Social Security number (SSN) or Social Security claim number (SSCN) and date of birth to identify and provide the appropriate records. When an inquiry match occurs, the response provides all available benefit information attributable to a particular claim number. SOLQ responses are not to be printed. SOLQ responses provide current information and are available immediately after request in the system.

If the individual has entitlement under more than one SSCN, those numbers will be identified. You must submit separate inquiries to obtain data related to those claims.

Information includes:

  • Standard Response — individual name, date of birth, verified SSN and error messages regarding any discrepancies between inquiry and response match.
  • Title II (RSDI) — individual demographics, enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, supplementary medical income benefits (SMIB) premium deduction, benefit amounts and dates, unearned income, disability onset dates, etc.
  • Title XVI (SSI) — individual demographics, Medicaid, SSI payment history, benefit amount, payment status code, resource and earned income leads, etc.

Note: The SOLQ system is available only in TIERS. The response only includes information for individuals in TIERS.

If more detailed information is needed, it is recommended to request a WTPY.

Wire Third Party Query (WTPY) is an SSA automated overnight batch process system used to verify Social Security and SSI benefits. Information is obtained using the person's name, SSN or SSCN, and date of birth. Response is usually received on the next business day following transmittal of the inquiry, provided the request is transmitted by 2:30 p.m. If the request is transmitted after that time, the response will be delayed one day.

If an inquiry match occurs, the response will provide all available benefit information attributable to a particular claim number. If a person has entitlement under more than one SSCN, those numbers will be identified. Separate inquiries are not necessary. The programming logic within the WTPY system will do an automated request within three business days on the newly discovered SSCNs. Staff do not have to create additional requests to obtain data related to those claims.

Information will include:

  • Standard Response — Name, date of birth, verified SSN and error messages regarding any discrepancies between inquiry and response match.
  • Title II (RSDI) — Demographics, enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, SMIB premium deduction, benefit amounts and dates, unearned income, disability onset dates, etc.
  • Title XVI (SSI) — Demographics, Medicaid, SSI payment history, benefit amount, payment status code, resource and earned income leads, etc.
  • 40 Quarters — Used for legal permanent residents, their spouses or parents. Response will provide employment history, identify the qualifying quarters and give the type income received during that period. Note: Response time for this data is within two days of transmittal (rather than one day as with other WTPY information).
  • Citizenship Verification — Effective Feb. 1, 2011. WTPY makes citizenship verification available, and is available for use by HHSC to verify citizenship for Texas Works and MEPD applicants.

The Wire Third Party Query User Guide contains detailed information regarding data interpretation. The 40 Quarters Operations Guide and 40 Quarters Response contain information outlining inquiry and response interpretation of 40 Quarters data.

Reminder: Federal tax information is provided through SOLQ and WTPY. Federal tax information is confidential. It is not to be shared with unauthorized individuals. SOLQ and WTPY responses should not be printed.

R-3740 Asset Verification System (AVS)

Revision 25-1; Effective March 1, 2025

The Asset Verification System (AVS) is an automated system to request information from financial institutions for people applying or currently eligible for programs that have a resource test. AVS is available through the Data Broker system and is accessed through TIERS. AVS is also available through Stand Alone Data Broker. AVS uses a person’s name, TIERS Individual ID, current address, previous address if available, and Social Security number to get financial record information. Information received through the AVS is an acceptable verification source for all programs.

Request AVS information regardless of the person’s age.

AVS information must be reviewed for the following types of assistance (TOAs) that have a resource test at application, renewal, add a person and program transfer when consent is provided:

  • Waiver Program (TA 10);
  • Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) (TA 10);
  • State Group Home (TA 12);
  • Pickle (TP 03);
  • State Supported Living Center (TP 10);
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Prior Medical (TP 11) - at application only;
  • Community Attendant Services (CAS) (TP 14);
  • Non-State Group Home (TP 15);
  • State Hospital (TP 16);
  • Nursing Facility (TP 17);
  • Disabled Adult Child (TP 18);
  • Disabled Widow(er) (TP 21);
  • Early Aged Widow(er) (TP 22);
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) (TP 23);
  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) (TP 24);
  • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) (TP 25);
  • Qualifying Individuals (QI-1) (TP 26);
  • Emergency Medicaid (TP 30) - at application only; and
  • Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) Program (TP 87 ME).

Note: The Medicaid Buy-In for Children (TP 88) program does not require a resource test and is not subject to AVS at application or renewal. When processing a program transfer to another MEPD TOA, request AVS to verify financial account information.

R-3741 AVS Consent

Revision  24-4; Effective  Dec. 1, 2024

Consent to access AVS is required for a person whose assets are considered in the eligibility determination for AVS applicable programs. People who must provide consent are:

  • the applicant or recipient, or the person’s legal guardian, power of attorney or authorized representative;
  • parents whose resources are deemed to a minor child;
  • a spouse whose resources are deemed to the applicant or recipient; or
  • the community spouse for spousal impoverishment cases.

A person provides consent by submitting a signed application or renewal form that contains the asset verification consent language. If the application or renewal form does not contain the AVS language or does not contain the signature of the person whose resources are considered in the eligibility determination, staff must pend for a signed Form H0003, Agreement to Release Your Facts if one was not returned with the application or renewal form. Only request AVS information for someone who has provided consent.

Deny the person if consent is not provided for all people whose resources are considered in the eligibility determination or if a written request to revoke consent to access AVS is received. Do not run AVS if consent is not provided or a written request to revoke consent is received.

Note: An electronic signature is valid for AVS consent when submitting an application or renewal through YourTexasBenefits.com (YTB) as long as the form includes the AVS consent language.

A previously signed Form H0003, Agreement to release your facts, remains valid until:

  • an application for benefits is denied;
  • benefits are terminated; or
  • the person submits a written request to withdraw consent.

Related Policy

Resource Limits, F-1300
Deeming of Resources, F-1400
Joint Bank Accounts, F-4121

R-3742 AVS Requests

Revision 24-4; Effective Dec.1, 2024

Request AVS at application, renewal, program transfer, and add a person for all MEPD TOAs that require a resource test before requesting information from the applicant or recipient.

AVS is one of the Electronic Data Sources (ELDS) that are requested automatically in the eighth month of the person’s certification period as part of the administrative renewal process.

Review other available electronic data sources, including SAVE and SOLQ, to explore potential obvious denial before requesting AVS. Do not request AVS if available information shows the person is not eligible, such as when the person:

  • does not meet immigrant status per SAVE; or
  • exceeds the income limit per SOLQ.

When requesting AVS, on the Request Details screen, the following two mandatory fields must be completed so the correct number of months are requested:

  1. Number of Months: Select Number of Months

Month of Application and 3 months prior

This response time frame is for the following TOAs:

  • Pickle (TP 03);
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Prior Medical (TP 11) - at application only;
  • Community Attendant Services (CAS) (TP 14);
  • Disabled Adult Child (TP 18);
  • Disabled Widow(er) (TP 21);
  • Early Aged Widow(er) (TP 22);
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) (TP 23);
  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) (TP 24);
  • Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) (TP 25);
  • Qualifying Individuals (QI-1) (TP 26);
  • Emergency Medicaid (TP 30) - at application only; or
  • Medicaid Buy-In (MBI) Program (TP 87 ME).    

60 months

This response time frame is for the following TOAs:

  • Waiver Program (TA 10);
  • Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) (TA 10);
  • State Group Home (TA 12);
  • State Supported Living Center (TP 10);
  • Non-State Group Home (TP 15);
  • State Hospital (TP 16); or
  • Nursing Facility (TP 17).

2. File Month (enter file date application was received)

Do not re-request AVS if an AVS response was submitted within the previous 60 days for the same response time frame.

A second response may be requested within the 60 days when processing a program transfer from community-based TOA to a full verification TOA. Example: QMB only to Nursing Home Medicaid. 

R-3743 AVS Responses

Revision 25-1; Effective March 1, 2025

AVS responses provide information on both disclosed and undisclosed financial accounts for the following:

  • Checking Account
  • Savings Account
  • Annuity
  • Certificate of Deposit (CD)
  • Convertible Bond
  • Burial Funeral
  • Custodial Other
  • Custodial Retirement
  • Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
  • Keogh
  • Money Market
  • Other
  • Rent Security
  • Trust
  • Christmas (Xmas) Club

Custodial Other, Custodial Retirement and Rent Security are types of trust accounts. Review the AVS response to determine the type of trust, create a new resource record and follow trust account policy for treatment of a trust. Pend the case for more information if needed to determine if the trust is a countable resource. Christmas or Xmas Club accounts are a type of savings accounts.

If an above account type is not listed on the dropdown menu for Liquid Resource Type, review the AVS response and create the appropriate resource record. Use an existing Liquid Resource Type option.

Initial AVS responses are received immediately and include information from the major banking institutions.

In addition to the first responses, Data Broker also gives enhanced AVS responses when financial information is identified for banking institutions not in the immediate AVS response. The enhanced AVS response is available on the Data Broker report not before five days after the initial AVS request.  Do not delay case disposition for a pending enhanced AVS response if all other necessary information is given. The enhanced response is treated as an agency reported change no matter when the agency receives the response.

AVS enhanced response reports are available through the Data Broker Portal and updated periodically. When the AVS enhanced response report is updated, a change task is generated the next day.

  • First report includes enhanced responses received by the 5th day.
  • Second report includes enhanced responses received by the 15th day.
  • Third report includes enhanced responses received by the 30th day.
  • Final report includes enhanced responses received by the 60th day.

R-3744 Consideration of AVS Information

Revision 25-1; Effective March 1, 2025

Determine eligibility based on the AVS response received by Data Broker or TIERS. The AVS response is an acceptable verification of financial accounts.

Complete the eligibility determination if the AVS information is consistent with the client-provided information. Do this for both immediate and enhanced AVS responses.

If the AVS information is new or inconsistent but does not affect eligibility, do not request more verification. Enter the new information in TIERS and complete the eligibility determination.

Request additional verification from the person before completing the eligibility determination, if the AVS information is new or inconsistent, and the person is potentially ineligible.

Deny for failure to provide required information if the person fails to provide verification of new or inconsistent AVS information.

Eligibility Specialist should pay close attention to the account history for large balance increases or decreases. A large decrease may indicate a transfer.

If AVS was requested in the last 60 days, and the person was denied due to excess funds in a financial account(s), then request current verification from the person instead of re-requesting AVS.