Current through September 24, 2024
(1) Food Stamps.
(a) The worker shall verify residence prior
to certification except in unusual cases where verification of residency cannot
reasonably be accomplished. For example, migrant farmworker households or
homeless households newly arrived in a county area may not be able to verify
their residency prior to certification.
(b) Verification of residency should be
accomplished to the extent possible in conjunction with the verification of
other information such as, but not limited to, rent and mortgage payments,
utility expenses, and identity. If verification cannot be accomplished in
conjunction with the verification of other information, the worker shall use a
collateral contact or other readily available documentary evidence. Documents
used to verify other factors of eligibility should normally suffice to verify
residency as well. Any documents or collateral contacts which reasonably
establish the applicant's residency must be accepted and no requirement for a
specific type of verification may be imposed. No durational residency
requirement shall be established.
(c) When transfer procedures have not been
followed, questions may arise regarding prior participation during the month of
application. In all questionable cases, the county should call the Regional EDP
Center and request that the information be verified through the CRT terminal or
available Authorization to Purchase listing. The worker may also use a simple
statement signed by the head of the household attesting to the fact that
coupons were not obtained during the month in another county or state and
attempt an after the fact verification.
(2) AFDC. Some evidence of an
applicant/recipient's residence is to be required prior to approval and at
redetermination.
(3) AFDC and Food
Stamps. When evidence is necessary to establish residence, documents with the
HH/AU's address shall be the primary source of verification although collateral
contact and/or home visits may be used if documentary evidence cannot be
obtained. Verification shall not be limited to a single document. Assistance
must be provided to the HH/AU in obtaining verification if such assistance is
needed.
(a) Duplicate Addresses. Duplicate
addresses constitute questionable circumstances and require
verification.
(b) Home Visit. Home
visits shall be used as verification of residence only if documentary evidence
cannot be obtained and the visit is scheduled in advance with the
HH/AU.
(c) Collateral Contacts. A
collateral contact is a confirmation of an HH/AU circumstances by a person
outside of the household who is in a position to know the facts. The
acceptability of a collateral contact shall not be restricted to a particular
individual but may be anyone that can be expected to provide an accurate third
party verification of the household's statement.
(d) Discrepancies. Where information from
another source contradicts statements made by the HH/AU, the HH/AU shall be
afforded a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy prior to an
eligibility determination. If discrepancies cannot be resolved in a reasonable
period of time, benefits will be denied/terminated.
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 14-8-103,
14-8-106, and 14-27-104; PL 99-198; 51 Federal Register 98 (May 21, 1986);
7 C.F.R.
273.2; 7 C.F.R.. 273.3; 4 C.F.R.
233.40.
