106 CMR, § 702.340

Current through Register 1537, December 20, 2024

Section 702.340 - Methods of Verification

The acceptable sources of verification are detailed in the sections of 106 CMR where the eligibility requirement is stated. The method of verification differs depending upon the nature of the information.

If one method of verification is preferred to another, the preferred method is stated.

Methods of Verification include original documents, collateral contacts, self-declarations, and worker observation.

(A)Original Documents When the verification is an original document, a copy of the document must be made, if possible.

If circumstances prevent the copying of a document and another copy is not available, the worker shall record in the case record the date and source of the document, a summary of its contents and the date the summary was made. The applicant or client shall be permitted to keep the original document.

(B)Collateral Contact Collateral contact is verbal or written confirmation of a household's circumstances by a third party, and it may be used to verify certain types of information. The worker shall obtain written consent from the applicant or client for each contact, except as specified in 106 CMR 702.320. If the applicant or client refuses to allow the Department to verify information by contacting a third party, assistance shall be denied, terminated, or reduced unless the applicant or client provides alternative verification.

The worker shall record the date on which the statement was made, the relevant information, the identification and position of the person making the statement, and a means of contacting that person in the future should it become necessary to support the applicant's or client's right of rebuttal at a hearing, if requested.

(C)Self-declarations A self-declaration is a written statement of fact that may be given by the applicant or client or by a third party who has firsthand knowledge of the circumstances of the applicant or client. Applicants and clients who provide self-declarations must sign them under the penalties of perjury. Self-declarations shall only be accepted as the sole verification of categorical and financial eligibility, if third party verification is not feasible.

When the applicant or client and the worker have taken all necessary steps to obtain through collateral contact the documentary evidence required by 106 CMR 703.00: Transitional Cash Assistance Program: Nonfinancial Eligibility and 704.00: Transitional Cash Assistance Program: Financial Eligibility and the original document is not available, a self-declaration may be accepted as verification of the following eligibility factors only: cash on hand, ownership of bank deposits, inaccessibility of joint bank accounts and securities, age, relationship, noncitizen status, Canadian-born Indian status, good cause for failure to cooperate with the Child Support Enforcement Division, good cause for refusing a bona fide offer of employment or training for employment, paternity, temporary absence and health insurance coverage.

The self-declaration shall be filed in the case record.

106 CMR, § 702.340

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1461, eff. 1/4/2022.

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1465, eff. 1/4/2022.