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State of Wisconsin |
Release 24-02 |
7 CFR 273.2(f)
Verification is the use of documentary evidence or a collateral contact with a third party to confirm the accuracy of statements or information. With limited exceptions, the local agency must allow FoodShare applicants and members at least 20 days to provide required verification.
The verification receipt date is the day verification is delivered to the appropriate agency or the next business day if verification is delivered after the agency's regularly scheduled business hours. Agencies must stamp the receipt date on each piece of verification provided.
7 CFR 271.2
The general verification rules are as follows:
Only verify those items required to determine eligibility and benefits for the programs for which you are testing eligibility.
Don't verify an item that is not required to be verified and is not documented in case comments as questionable.
Avoid over-verification (requiring excessive pieces of evidence for any one item or requesting verification that is not needed to determine eligibility). Don’t require additional verification once the accuracy of a written or verbal statement has been established.
Don’t verify information already verified unless you believe the information is fraudulent or differs from more recent information. If you suspect fraud exists, determine if you should make a referral for fraud or for front-end verification (see Process Help, Section 31.3.4 FEV/Fraud Referral vs. Claim Referral).
Don't exclusively require one particular type of verification when various types are adequate and available.
Verification need not be presented in person. Verification may be submitted by mail, fax, electronically or in person.
Verification need not be submitted by the primary person.
IM worker must not ask for verification based on race, religion, ethnic background, or national origin. Verification requests cannot target groups such as migrant farm workers or American Indians for more intensive verification.
When verification is requested and not returned by the due date, each item that the applicant or member failed to verify must be updated to indicate it was not verified. This will ensure the notice of decision lists each item that was not verified. This is required for the notice to meet the federal definition of an adequate notice.
7 CFR 273.2(c)(5); 7 CFR 273.2(h)(2)(i)(A)
OM 14-48
Requests for verification must be made in writing. Verbal requests are not acceptable and will not stand up in a fair hearing. IM workers are required to give the applicant or member a notice that identifies the required verification, the date the verification is due to the agency, and the consequences of not verifying timely.
Do not deny the FoodShare application when the required verification is not provided until the latest of the following dates:
| Example 1 | Ed submits an application with a filing date of January 2. However, the interview was not completed until January 26 and verification of income was requested the same day. Ed has until February 15 to provide verification. Do not deny the application until February 15. |
If the 20th or 30th day falls on a weekend or postal holiday:
| Note |
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Allow FoodShare to reopen at Six Month Report Form (SMRF) or renewal when closed for lack of verification (or other reasons) if the reason for case closure is fully resolved during the calendar month following case closure. The SMRF must be returned no later than the last day of the seventh month of the certification period and the renewal interview completed no later than the last day of the renewal month.
Allow FoodShare to reopen when closed for lack of verification after a change is reported or discovered, if the requested verification is provided in the calendar month following case closure.
In the above situations, benefits are prorated for the FoodShare assistance group from the day the food unit completes all the required actions needed to determine eligibility.
7 CFR 273.2(f)(5)
The applicant or member has primary responsibility for providing required verification, unless specified, and for resolving any discrepancies or questionable information. The local agency must assist the applicant or member in obtaining this verification, provided that the applicant or member hasn't refused to cooperate with the application process.
IM workers have responsibility for verifying information such as:
If all attempts to verify the information have been unsuccessful because the person or organization providing the information has failed to cooperate with the applicant or member and agency (for example, by charging a fee or refusing to complete a verification form), and all other sources of verification are unavailable, determine an amount to be used for certification purposes based on the best available information. Clearly document attempts to obtain verification and the reasoning for the estimate that is used. Best available information may include an oral or written statement. In the instance of out-of-state TLBs, best available information may include a lack of response by the other state within the standard processing timeframe.
This page last updated in Release Number: 23-01
Release Date: 04/17/2023
Effective Date: 04/17/2023
Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.
Publication Number: P-16001