A-1370, Verification Requirements

Revision 22-3; Effective July 1, 2022

All Programs

  • Verify all countable income at initial application, redetermination and when a household reports a change unless the amount reported makes the household ineligible.
  • Verification of earned and unearned income is not required for any pay amount older than 60 days before the interview date.
  • Verify the following:
    • That a child meets the criteria to have their income exempted before exempting the child's earned income.
    • Interest income at redetermination if from a new source or the amount has changed by more than $50. Otherwise, accept the person’s statement of the amount.
    • Tip income not included on a person’s wage statement.
    • All loans or contributions (cash or vendor payments) to determine the countable amount.
    • Whether the person got vacation pay before or after a job ended. If the person got vacation pay after the job ended, verify whether the person got the vacation pay in a lump sum or multiple checks.
    • The death of an alien's sponsor.
    • For people who are striking, contact the union and company officials to:
      • find out the probable length of the strike;
      • verify the striker’s wages from that company; and
      • confirm the striker's benefits or any help the striker is getting from the union.
    • For self-employment use:
      • A-1323.4.4, Determining the Amount of Self-Employment Income;
      • a collateral source as verification, if self-employment has ended;
      • a person’s statement as verification, only if a collateral source is not available; and
      • refer to C-940, Documentation, for requirements when an alternate method is used rather than a preferred source.
  • Verification used for SNAP or TANF in a TIERS EDG is acceptable for:
    • the other program unless it is inconsistent with other information or is questionable; and
    • medical programs unless policy for a specific type of verification specifically says otherwise.
  • Verification used for Medicaid in a TIERS EDG is acceptable for SNAP or TANF unless policy for a specific type of verification specifically says otherwise.
  • If all attempts to verify income are unsuccessful because the payer fails or refuses to give information and no other proof can be found, use the best available information to determine the budget amount.

Related Policy

Prudent Person Principle, A-137
Children's Earned Income, A-1323.1
Strikers, A-1367
Verification Sources, A-1641
Verification and Documentation, C-900

A—1371 Verification Sources

Revision 21-1; Effective January 1, 2021

All Programs

Alien Sponsor's Death

The Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics (BVS), if available, is considered the primary source of verification of death. If BVS is available but the date of death (DOD) does not match reported information, accept BVS as verification. No additional verification is required.

If BVS verification is not available, verify the DOD using two of the following sources:

  • Social Security Administration (SSA);
  • statement from guardian or authorized representative;
  • copy of death certificate;
  • statement from a doctor;
  • newspaper death notice (obituary);
  • statement from a relative or household member;
  • statement from funeral director; or
  • records from the hospital or other institution where the person died.

Contributions

  • written statement from the person or agency giving the money to or making the payment for the household member;
  • copy of the contribution check;
  • copy of the canceled check from the person making the contribution; or
  • proof of payment records for MyGoals cash payments.

Earned Income

  • Completed Form H1028, Employment Verification. Make sure the employer completed all items and the information is consistent with reported information. If information is not consistent, resolve any discrepancies.
  • Written letter from the employer that provides current income and frequency of payment(s).
  • Signed and dated statement from client for tip income not included on the wage statement.
  • View at least two pay amounts in the period starting 45 days before the file date through the interview date (or the date the EDG is being processed if an interview is not required). Consider any information the person reports between the application file date and the decision date when determining eligibility – see B-116, Information Reported During Application Processing.
  • Verify and document any breaks in pay periods. Do not use pay stubs as the only source of verification if the person:
    • began employment in the application or interview month;
    • reported new employment after certification;
    • ended employment in the application month; or
    • ended employment in the two months before application (TANF and SNAP only).
  • Contact with the employer via mail, fax or phone.
  • TWC wage records — see A-1355.2, How to Use Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Quarterly Wage Information to Budget Earned Income.
  • Form H2583, Choices Information Transmittal, if the form is complete and indicates the employer verified the information.

Other Income

  • check or copy of check;
  • statement from the bank paying dividends and interest (accept the person’s statement on periodic reviews and timely recertifications);
  • statement from the company or union providing pensions or union benefits; or
  • Form H1050, Check Verification.

Other Government Benefits

  • current award notice, letter or official statement;
  • check or copy of check;
  • agency contract or record; or
  • statement from a Texas Department of Family and Protective Services advisor or representative.

RSDI

  • WTPY/SOLQ;
  • State Data Exchange (SDX) file (this source also provides sufficient proof of SSI income available for an RSDI recipient);
  • current award notice, check, letter or statement from the SSA;
  • direct deposit slip from a financial institution; or
  • Form H1050.

Railroad Retirement Benefits

  • obtain a completed Form H1026, Verification of Railroad Retirement Benefits;
  • current award notice, letter, or statement from the Railroad Retirement Board;
  • check or copy of check;
  • direct deposit slip from a financial institution; or
  • phone contact with Railroad Retirement Board representative.

Self-employment

  • IRS Schedule C, Form 1040 – Profit or Loss from Business;
  • previous year’s IRS tax return or business records (for self-employment income received less often than monthly);
  • most recent business records and receipts;
  • Form H1049, Client's Statement of Self-Employment Income; or
  • written client statement of estimated earnings or receipts for goods and services provided.

    Note: If collateral contacts or documentary information do not verify the income and expenses, use Form H1049.

Unemployment Compensation

  • check or copy of check;
  • current award notice, letter or statement from TWC;
  • former employer;
  • TWC inquiry; or
  • statement from TWC verifying the primary wage earner's application for unemployment insurance benefits.

Texas Lottery Commission

  • Data Broker System

Application for SSI/RSDI

  • WTPY/SOLQ; or
  • receipt from the SSA

TANF and SNAP

Child Support

  • Texas Child Support Enforcement System (TXCSES) Inquiry;
  • Office of the Attorney General (OAG) child support data;
  • check or copy of check;
  • county clerk records;
  • canceled checks (three months if possible);
  • wage withholding statements;
  • withholding statements from unemployment compensation;
  • written statement from the parent providing support; or
  • current court records such as court order, court support agreement, or divorce or separation papers.

Related Policy

Data Broker, C-820
OAG Child Support Data, C-825.14.1
Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Inquiry, C-832
TXCSES Web Child Support Portal Inquiry, C-833

Educational Grants, Scholarships or Loans

Statement, letter or records from:

  • schools;
  • organizations, clubs or agencies providing benefits; or
  • VA (for veteran's educational benefits).

SSI

  • WTPY/SOLQ;
  • SDX file (this source also provides sufficient proof of SSI income);
  • check or copy of check;
  • current award notice, letter or written statement from the SSA; or
  • direct deposit slip from a financial institution.

Veterans Benefits

Workers’ Compensation

Current award notice letter or statement from:

  • claims adjuster;
  • attorney;
  • insurance company; or
  • check or copy of check.

TANF

Ceremonial Marriage

  • marriage license or certificate;
  • church records;
  • statement from clergy; or
  • family Bible records.

Common Law Marriage

Medical Programs

Electronic data sources with reasonable compatibility is the preferred method of wage verification for Medical Programs.

Related Policy

Verification Requirements, Medical Programs, A-1370

TP 33, TP 34, TP 35, TP 43, TP 44 and TP 48

In addition to the verification sources listed for All Programs, the following are also accepted for earned and unearned income:

  • paycheck stub issued in the last 60 days; or
  • most recent tax return.

Related Policy

Questionable Information, C-920
Providing Verification, C-930