A-1440, Verification Requirements

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

All Programs except TP 45

If an individual fails to provide a required verification of a deduction, do not deny the EDG. Disallow the deduction. If the individual subsequently provides verification of the deduction, use report of change guidelines to budget the deduction.

TANF

Dependent care must be verified at application, complete review, or if the amount changes.

The following amounts must be verified at application, complete review, or if the amount changes:

  • actual amount of child support and alimony paid to persons outside the home, and
  • actual amount of payment to persons outside the home whom a person can claim as tax dependents or is legally obligated to support.

SNAP

Dependent care expenses must be verified at application, recertification, and when the individual reports a change in dependent care if verification can be obtained during the interview. If verification cannot be obtained during the interview, the individual's statement may be accepted without verification if the household states the total dependent care expense for the EDG does not exceed $300 a month and it is not questionable. The EDG is pended only if the expense claimed is questionable or exceeds a total of $300 a month.

The following amounts must be verified:

  • household's legal obligation to pay child support:
    • by viewing a court order, administrative order, legally enforceable separation agreement, other official document; or
    • using a collateral contact with access to an official document.
  • amount of the child support obligation.
  • actual amount of child support paid by viewing:
    • Attorney General or county registry collection and distribution records,
    • canceled checks,
    • wage withholding statements,
    • withholding information from unemployment compensation, or
    • statements from the custodial parent regarding direct payments or third-party payments the household pays or expects to pay on behalf of the custodial parent.

    Note: Documents used to verify the household's legal obligation to pay child support are not acceptable verification of the household's actual payments.
  • medical expenses. See A-1428.2, Budgeting Medical Deductions.
  • rent or mortgage costs if the expense is questionable or if a regional requirement. If the requested proof is not provided, the expense is not allowed.
  • shelter cost of an unoccupied home at initial application, changes, and recertifications.

Medical Programs except TP 45

All MAGI expenses must be verified at application, complete review, or if the amount changes.

A—1441 Verification Sources

Revision 20-2; Effective April 1, 2020

TANF and SNAP

Dependent Care

  • statement or a current bill from provider;
  • current receipts; or
  • previous year's income tax return.

Child Support Paid by Household – Verifying Amount of Child Support Paid

  • attorney general collection and distribution records;
  • county clerk records;
  • cancelled checks;
  • wage withholding statements;
  • withholding statements from unemployment compensation; or
  • statement from the custodial parent regarding direct payments or third-party payments paid on their behalf.

TANF and Medical Programs except TP 45

Alimony Amount

  • divorce decree;
  • separation agreement;
  • court order;
  • court records; or
  • statement from the person who is receiving the alimony.

TANF

Dependents Outside the Home

  • previous year's tax records;
  • bank records;
  • copies of money orders;
  • cancelled checks; or
  • statement from the person who is receiving the payments.

SNAP

Medical Expenses

  • bills (or copies of bills) from providers of health insurance, services and products;
  • statement or a current bill from providers;
  • health insurance policies;
  • statement from a qualified health professional indicating that over-the-counter medication, medical equipment or supplies are prescribed; or
  • State Online Query (SOLQ) or Wire Third-Party Query (WTPY) to verify Medicare Part B premiums.

Note: If the person receiving SNAP is covered by insurance, the statement from providers needs to show the balance due after insurance pays.

Child Support Paid by Household – Verifying Legal Obligation

  • court order;
  • administrative order;
  • legally enforceable separation agreement;
  • divorce decree;
  • attorney general child support enforcement records; or
  • county clerk records.

Mortgage

  • statement from mortgage company or bank;
  • cancelled checks; or
  • mortgage receipt.

Rent

  • statement from landlord or apartment manager;
  • rent receipt;
  • cancelled checks; or
  • current lease contract showing the payment amount. Note: A common practice of leasing companies is to show the monthly market amount on the first page of a lease, not the actual payment amount of the lease.

Property Taxes

  • tax bill;
  • cancelled check;
  • statement from tax office employee; or
  • county tax office websites.

Home Insurance

  • insurance company bill;
  • cancelled check; or
  • statement from an insurance company employee.

Utilities

  • utility company bill;
  • cancelled checks; or
  • statement from utility company employee.

Medical Programs except TP 45

An applicant’s or recipient’s federal income tax return from the previous year is the only valid verification source that can be used to verify all MAGI expenses except for alimony paid.

Note: A federal income tax return from the previous year is valid verification for MAGI expenses until the client files a new federal income tax return but no later than April 15 or the official tax filing day of the following year. If a person files an extension and submits proof of an extension, such as a copy of IRS Form 4868, the previous year’s federal income tax return is valid until Oct. 15. If an applicant or recipient does not file federal income taxes, they will not be able to provide verification and, therefore, will not be able to claim any MAGI expenses other than alimony paid.

Date of Divorce or Separation Agreement for Alimony Paid

  • divorce decree;
  • separation agreement;
  • court order; or
  • court records.

Related Policy

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