16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9034
Use documentary evidence as the primary source of verification for all items except residency and household size. Documentary evidence consists of a written confirmation of a household's circumstances. Although documentary evidence will be the primary source of verification, acceptable verification will not be limited to any single type of document and may be obtained through the household or other source. Whenever documentary evidence cannot be obtained or is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, require collateral contacts or home visits.
Examples of documentary evidence include wage stubs, rent receipts, and utility bills.
For example, documentary evidence is considered insufficient when the household presents pay stubs which do not represent an accurate picture of the household's income. Each wage stub submitted must contain a complete data (month, day, year) affixed by the employer. When wage stubs presented are not acceptable, any of the alternate procedures following may be invoked:
Documents that appear to be falsified are never to be considered as documentary evidence.
A collateral contact is a verbal confirmation of a household's circumstances by a person outside of the household. The collateral contact may be made either in person or over the telephone. Select a collateral contact if the household fails to designate one or designates one which is unacceptable to the Division.
Examples of acceptable collateral contacts are employers, landlords, social service agencies, migrant service agencies, and neighbors of the household who can be expected to provide accurate third party verification.
When talking with collateral contacts, DSS will disclose only the information that is absolutely necessary to get the information being sought. DSS will avoid disclosing that the household has applied for food stamps, nor should they disclose any information supplied by the household, especially information that is protected by DSSM 1003, or suggest that the household is suspected of doing any wrong doing.
If the Division designates a collateral contact, no contact will be made without providing prior written or oral notice to the household. At the time of this notice, inform the household that it has the following options:
If the household refuses to choose one of these options, its application will be denied in accordance with the normal procedures for failure to verify information.
Systems of records to which DSS has routine access are not considered collateral contacts and, therefore need not be designated by the household.
Examples are the Beneficiary Data Exchange (BENDEX) and the State Data Exchange (SDX) and records of another agency where a routine access agreement exists (such as records from DOL Unemployment Compensation section).
Home visits may be used as verification only when documentary evidence is insufficient to make a firm determination of eligibility or benefit level, or cannot be obtained, and the home visit is scheduled in advance with the household.
Home visits are to be used on a case-by-case basis where the supplied documentation is insufficient. Even though a household fits a profile of an error-prone household, it does not constitute lack of verification, therefore a home visit in this case would not be appropriate. DSS will assist a household in obtaining sufficient verification in accordance with DSSM 9305.1 prior to a referral for a home visit by ARMS.
Where unverified information from a source other than the household contradicts statements made by the household, afford the household a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy prior to a determination of eligibility or benefits. Verify the information directly with the primary source and contact the household only if direct verification efforts are unsuccessful. If the unverified information is received through the IEVS, as specified in DSSM 2013.1, obtain verification from a third party as specified in DSSM 9037.
16 Del. Admin. Code § 9000-9034