Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024
(A)
Requirements.
(1) A
Social Security Number (SSN) must be given for each applicant for TAFDC or
EAEDC, unless good cause exists in accordance with 106 CMR
701.230(C).
(2) If an SSN cannot be
given for each applicant applying for TAFDC or EAEDC, the applicant must
provide to the Department written verification from SSA stating that the SSN
cannot be provided, but that person:
(a) has
applied for an SSN; or
(b) has
asked that an already-existing SSN be validated.
(3) TAFDC or EAEDC may not be denied, delayed
or decreased while waiting for the issuance or verification of an SSN if the
applicant or client has met the requirements specified in 106 CMR 701.230(A)
and (B).
(4) Each applicant for
TAFDC or EAEDC who does not meet the SSN requirement must be excluded from the
assistance unit. An otherwise eligible applicant or client excluded from the
assistance unit for not meeting the SSN requirements becomes eligible upon
meeting these requirements.
(5) A
temporary identification number shall be provided for an applicant or client
who is an expectant mother in the 33rd week of
pregnancy as a single grantee or a child younger than four months old. This
number shall be valid for not more than three months. Failure to provide a
valid SSN within three months shall result in the termination of the client's
benefits until a valid SSN is provided and verified by the Department. 106 CMR
701.230(A)(5) shall not apply to clients who are present in the United States
under one of the eligible noncitizen statuses as described in 106 CMR
703.430(A): Eligible TAFDC Noncitizen Status or 703.440(A):
Eligible Noncitizen EAEDC Status or a victim of domestic
violence who has a pending petition for legal status under the federal Violence
Against Women Act.
(B)
Verification.
(1) The
Department verifies the SSN of each applicant for TAFDC or EAEDC by computer
match with SSA.
(2) Any applicant
or client who cannot give an SSN, who cannot have an SSN verified by Social
Security Administration (SSA) computer match or has more than one SSN is
verified by SSA computer match, must provide a written statement from SSA,
verifying that he or she 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.
(1) Good cause for failure
to comply with 106 CMR 701.230(A) exists when there is evidence or collateral
information that the applicant or client has made every effort to provide SSA
the necessary information to apply for an SSN or to apply to have an
already-existing SSN validated.
Good cause must be verified monthly until the SSN is provided
and verified by computer match with SSA in accordance with 106 CMR
701.230(A)(3).
(2) Good
cause for failure to comply with 106 CMR 701.230(A) exists when a noncitizen
indicates an unwillingness or inability to provide, or apply for, an SSN due to
immigration status in accordance with 106 CMR 703.430: TAFDC Noncitizen
Status. The noncitizen however, must be excluded from the assistance
unit.
(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 SSNs of all members of the assistance unit. At the time the
applicant is given the application form and at reevaluation, he or she will
also be given written notice on a form prescribed by the Department explaining
the following:
(1) 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 applicant or
client;
(2) SSNs will be computer
cross-checked with SSNs appearing in other personal data files; and
(3) The Department will regularly use the SSN
to obtain and use wage and benefit information from other sources for verifying
eligibility for TAFDC or EAEDC and the grant amount. 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.
The Department need not get prior approval of the applicant or
client to use the information from the sources and for the reasons stated in
106 CMR 701.230(D).