Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(A)
Requirements.
(1) A
Social Security number (SSN) must be provided, either orally or in writing, for
each household member applying for SNAP benefits before the initial
certification period, unless good cause exists in accordance with 106 CMR
362.500(C).
(2) If an SSN cannot be
provided either orally or in writing for each household member applying for
SNAP benefits, the applicant or client must receive written verification from
the Social Security Administration (SSA) stating that the household member for
whom the SSN cannot be provided:
(a) has
applied for an SSN; or
(b) has
requested that an already-existing SSN be validated.
(3) If the household is unable to provide
proof of application for an SSN for a newborn, the household must provide the
SSN or proof of application at its next recertification or within six months
following the month the baby is born, whichever is later. If the household is
still unable to provide an SSN or proof of application for an SSN at its next
recertification or within six months following the baby's birth, the State
agency must determine if the good cause provisions described in 106 CMR
362.500(C) are applicable.
(4) A
household eligible for expedited SNAP benefits must meet the SSN requirement
before the first full month of participation.
(5) SNAP benefits may not be denied, delayed
or decreased pending the issuance or verification of an S SN if the applicant
or client has complied with the requirements specified in 106 CMR 362.500(A)
and (B).
(6) Each household member
applying for SNAP benefits who does not meet the SSN requirements shall be
considered a disqualified household member in accordance with
106 CMR
365.520. An otherwise eligible household
member disqualified for failing to meet the SSN requirements becomes eligible
upon meeting the requirements.
(B)
Verification.
(1) The Department will verify the S SN
provided for each household member applying for SNAP benefits by a computer
match with SSA. SSA sources that verify the SSN include, but are not limited
to, BENDEX Title II and Title XVIII data, Numident, State Data Exchange
information and the enumeration process.
(2) For each household member for whom no SSN
is provided, for whom an SSN cannot be verified by a SSA computer match or for
whom more than one SSN is verified by SSA computer match, the applicant or
client must receive written communication from SSA, verifying that the
household member has applied for an SSN, has applied to have an
already-existing number validated, or has made every effort to supply SSA with
the information necessary to apply for an SSN, or to apply to have an
already-existing number validated.
Once the SSN has been issued or validated, the Department will
verify the SSN by computer match with SSA.
(C)
Determining Good
Cause. Good cause for failure to comply with the requirements in
106 CMR 362.500(A) exists when there is documentary evidence or collateral
information that the household member has made every effort to supply SSA with
the information necessary to apply for an SSN or to apply to have an
already-existing number validated.
Good cause must be verified monthly until the SSN is provided
and verified by computer match with SSA in accordance with 106 CMR
362.500(B)(1).
(D)
Right to Know Uses of Social Security Numbers. The
applicant or client has the right to know how the Department will use his or
her SSN and the numbers of all members of the household. At the time the
applicant is given the application form and at the time of recertification, he
or she will also be given written notice on a form prescribed by the Department
explaining the following:
(1) the purposes
for which the numbers are sought. The Department will use the SSN to prevent
duplicate participation, to facilitate mass changes in benefits and to
determine the accuracy of the information given by the household
member;
(2) that the SSN(s) will be
computer cross-checked with SSNs appearing in other personal data
files;
(3) what those files are,
whether within the Department, in other governmental agencies or elsewhere. The
Department will regularly use the SSN to obtain and use wage and benefit
information from other sources for purposes of verifying eligibility for SNAP
and the amount of SNAP benefits. These sources include, but are not limited to,
any federal or state agency, providers under contract with the Department,
welfare departments in other states and banks and other financial institutions;
and
(4) the household member who
fails to meet the requirements described in 106 CMR 362.500(A) must have
benefits denied or terminated, unless good cause exists as specified in 106 CMR
362.500(C).
The Department need not obtain the prior approval of the
applicant or client to acquire and use the information from the sources and for
the reasons indicated in 106 CMR 362.500(D).
