Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A.
Requirement: The social
security number is required for every individual who receives food stamp
benefits. Providing the social security number of a household member is
voluntary. However, failure to provide the social security number shall result
in the denial of food stamp benefits to the household member.
(1) A household participating in the food
stamp program (FSP) must provide the social security number of each household
member before certification. An actual social security card is not mandatory to
fulfill the verification requirement.
(2) If an individual has more than one
number, all numbers must be provided.
(3) If an individual does not have a social
security number, or if the household does not know if an individual member has
a social security number, the household must apply for a social security number
for the individual(s) before certification.
(4) A caseworker shall inform the household
where to apply and what information is needed, and shall advise the household
that proof of application from the social security administration (SSA) office
for a social security number is required before certification.
(5) The caseworker shall explain to
applicants and participants that refusal or failure to comply, without good
cause, shall result in disqualification of the individual household member for
whom a social security number has not been provided or obtained.
(6) For a newborn, the household must provide
a social security number or proof of application for a social security number
at the next recertification or within six months, whichever is later.
B.
Validation of social
security number:
(1) The caseworker
shall record, in the case file and the computer file, the social security
number of each household member at certification, recertification, or at any
contact with the household. The social security number is validated by the SSA
on a periodic basis.
(2) Immediate
validation of an individual's social security number is not required for
participation in the FSP. Household certification or issuance of food stamp
benefits shall not be delayed solely to validate the social security number of
a household member.
(3) When a
social security number has been validated by the SSA, the caseworker shall make
a permanent annotation on the client case file to prevent validation of the
social security number in the future.
(4) The caseworker shall offer to:
(a) complete, or help the applicant complete,
an application for a social security number, form SS-5.
(b) verify identity, age, and citizenship or
alien status, as required by SSA;
(c) forward the SS-5 application to the
SSA.
C.
Disqualification from food stamps: If a caseworker determines that
the household has refused or failed to provide or apply for a social security
number without good cause, the individual who does not have a social security
number shall be ineligible to participate in the FSP.
(1)
Refusal to comply: Refusal
to provide or apply for a social security number shall result in the
disqualification of the individual for whom a social security number is
required. Any remaining household members are eligible to participate in the
FSP.
(2)
Failure to
comply: Individuals who fail, without good cause, to meet the
enumeration requirement within the required time period are ineligible. The
disqualification applies to an individual(s), not to an entire household. An
individual becomes eligible to participate, and the disqualification ends, when
the social security number is provided.
(3)
Determining good cause: If a
household can show good cause why an application has not been completed in a
timely manner, the household member without a social security number shall be
allowed to participate for one month in addition to the application month. To
determine good cause, information from the household member, the social
security administration, and HSD records shall be considered. Documentary
evidence or collateral information (8.139.100.7 NMAC definitions) that
the member has applied for a social security number or has made every effort to
provide the social security administration with the information needed to
complete an application is considered good cause for not complying timely with
this requirement. If a household member applying for a social security number
is unable to obtain the documents required by the social security
administration, the caseworker shall make every effort to help the household
get these documents.
(a) If a household can
show good cause why an application for a social security number has not been
made in a timely manner, the household member concerned shall be allowed to
continue to participate each month that good cause exists.
(b) Good cause does not include delays caused
by illness, lack of transportation, or temporary absence, since the SSA
provides for the application process to be conducted entirely by mail. A
personal interview is not required except for persons age 18 or over who must
apply for an original social security number at a local SSA office.
(4)
Participation pending
notification: When an application for a social security number has been
filed, as verified by a receipt of application for a social security number
from the social security administration (SSA), an individual shall be permitted
to participate in the food stamp program, pending notification by the SSA of
the household member's social security number.
(5)
Subsequent actions: If the
social security number is not verified at recertification for a number already
provided, or has not been computer-verified in the interim, the caseworker
shall disqualify the individual for noncompliance with the enumeration
requirement. The caseworker shall have offered to help the individual complete
an application for a duplicate social security number. Any household member
disqualified for noncompliance with the enumeration requirement becomes
eligible upon providing verification of a valid social security
number.
D.
Resources and income: The resources of a disqualified individual
count in their entirety. A pro rata share of the disqualified individual's
income shall be considered available to the remaining household
members.
E.
Use of social
security number: HSD is authorized to use social security numbers in the
administration of the food stamp program. To the extent determined necessary,
HSD may access computer information regarding individual applicants and
participants who receive benefits or services under Title XVI of the Social
Security Act. The social security number shall be used to prevent duplicate
participation, to facilitate mass changes in federal benefits, and to request
and exchange information on individuals through the IEVS and SAVE computer
match programs, and the department of labor.
