Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1240 - Human Services
Subtitle 1240-01 - Family Assistance Division
Chapter 1240-01-03 - Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements
Section 1240-01-03-.15 - SOCIAL SECURITY ENUMERATION REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 1240-01-03-.15

Current through September 24, 2024

Enumeration is the procedure by which the Social Security Administration (SSA), in cooperation with the Department, assigns and/or verifies social security numbers (SSN) for AFDC or Food Stamp applicants/recipients. The SSN will be used by the Department only in the administration of the Family Assistance Program.

(1) Enumeration.

(a) As a condition of eligibility to receive AFDC or Food Stamps each applicant/recipient must:
1. Furnish to the Department a Social Security Account Number (SSN) or numbers if more than one has been issued, or

2. If an individual's account number is unknown or one has not been issued to him, application for an SSN must be filed.

This eligibility requirement applies to the grantee relative, caretaker, second parent and each child in the AFDC aid group and to each Food Stamp household member. A person who does not furnish or apply for a Social Security Number is not eligible to receive AFDC or Food Stamps. If an otherwise eligible A/R does furnish or apply for an SSN he/she may be approved for AFDC or Food Stamp benefits. Food Stamps Only. In the Food Stamp Program, if the household member is unable to provide the SSN prior to certification, he/she will be mandated to apply for one at the DHS county office, even if he/she applies for one directly to the SSA office prior to the Food Stamp application date.

(b) Informing Requirement.
1. Federal law and regulations require that each applicant or recipient be advised of the regulation requiring that he/she furnish a Social Security Number to this Department and how the number is to be used.
(i) Reserved for Future Use.

(ii) Reserved for Future Use.

(iii) Reserved for Future Use.

2. If, after an explanation is given, individual(s) who are required to furnish or apply for a Social Security Number refuse to do so, they shall be excluded from the AFDC aid group and shall be ineligible to participate in the Food Stamp Program.

(2) Mandatory Verification. Social Security Numbers shall be verified in one of the following ways:

(a) A/R with Social Security Card.
1. When an AFDC A/R has a Social Security Card which is viewed by the eligibility worker and there is evidence of a person's age, citizenship and identity in the case folder, the SSN on the person's Social Security Card will be considered a verified Social Security Number and will be entered on the Case Data Form at the time of case action. Observing the Food Stamp household member's Social Security Card or any official document containing the SSN, shall be sufficient for Food Stamp purposes. Once a Social Security Number has been verified it shall be reverified only if the identity of the individual or the SSN becomes questionable. No further action is required of the worker.

2 . AFDC Only. Documentary evidence used to establish age, citizenship and identity must be that which is specified in Chapter III of the Welfare Enumeration Manual furnished by the Social Security Administration.

(b) Reserved for Future Use.

(c) Reserved for Future Use.

(d) Reserved for Future Use.

(e) Applicant/Recipient Applies Directly to SSA Office for Social Security Number Prior to Application Date. For the Food Stamp Program, if, at application the household member informs the worker that he/she does not have an SSN, but applied for one at the SSA Office prior to the application date, the worker shall advise the household member to apply for his/her SSN at the county office. The household must be informed that his/her application for food stamps cannot be approved until he/she either furnishes the SSN or applies for one at the DHS county office. In AFDC, if the worker is informed that application for the SSN was made directly to SSA, the worker shall request proof of such application. Form SSA 5028, Receipt for Application for a Social Security Number, may be used for that purpose. If the A/R is unable to provide such proof and does not wish to delay the approval process, the worker is to inform the A/R that application for the SSN may be made at the DHS county office. The A/R must also be informed that his/her eligibility for AFDC cannot be determined prior to providing the SSN, providing proof of application for one, or applying for one at the DHS county office.

(f) Bendex and SDX. Matching a reported Social Security Number with information supplied by the Social Security Administration (SSA) such as Bendex SDX computer tapes or printouts is also an acceptable method of verifying an SSN.

(g) Food Stamp Only.
1. Certification Prior to Receipt of a Social Security Number. Although a Social Security Number reported by the household must be verified, the worker shall not delay certification of an otherwise eligible household solely to validate any member's SSN, even if the 30 day processing period has not expired. As soon as all other steps necessary to certify a household are completed except for verification of an SSN, the worker shall certify the household. If verification of an already reported SSN is not completed at initial certification, it shall be completed at the time of or prior to the household's next recertification. Newly obtained Social Security Numbers shall be verified at recertification by use of Bendex, SDX or by observing the household member's Social Security Card or an official document containing the SSN.

2. Failure to obtain a Social Security Number - Food Stamps Only. If a household member who has applied for an SSN has not received it by the end of the certification period, the worker shall complete another Form SS-5 at recertification. The household member without the SSN will be recertified, and may continue to participate in the Program as long as all other eligibility requirements are satisfied.

3. Refusal to Provide or Apply for a Social Security Number - Food Stamps Only. If the household member refuses to apply for the SSN at the county office or refuses to provide the SSN, the individual(s) shall be excluded from participation until the SSN is provided, or until he/she applies for one at the county office. During the disqualification period, the affected member's income and resources, shall be treated in accordance with Section 1240-1-2-.02(6) (b) 2. Exclusion from participation applies only to the individual who refuses to provide/apply for the SSN at the county office, and not to the entire household.

(h) Special Situations - AFDC
1. SSA will not accept an application for a SSN for an unborn child. This application can be submitted only after the child is born.
(i) Reserved for Future Use.

(ii) Reserved for Future Use.

2. Reserved for Future Use.

3. Reserved for Future Use.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 14-8-106, 14-27-104, and 14-27-105; 7 C.F.R. 273.6; 45 C.F.R. 306.10, 232.10.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Tennessee may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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