Section 17-676-76 - Availability and verification of income in the food stamp program(a) Gross nonexempt income shall be verified for all households prior to certification. However, where all attempts to verify income have been unsuccessful, because the income provider fails to cooperate with the household and the department, and all other sources of verification are unavailable, the department shall determine an amount to be used, based on the best available information.(b) The department shall use documentary evidence as the primary source of verification. Whenever documentary evidence cannot be obtained, alternate sources such as collateral contacts and home visits shall be used for verification.(c) The department shall determine on a case by case basis when to verify loans, but shall verify loans in any questionable case. When verifying that income is exempt as a loan, a statement signed by both parties indicating the payment is a loan which shall be repaid shall be sufficient verification. However, if the household receives payments on a recurrent or regular basis from the same source but claims the payments are loans, the department may also require that the provider of the loan sign a statement which states that repayments are being made or that payments will be made in accordance with an established repayment schedule.(d) Earned income may be verified through documents from the applicant including, but not limited to: (3) Employee's W-2 forms;(5) State or federal income tax return;(6) Self-employment bookkeeping records; or(7) Sales and expenditure records.(e) Earned income may be verified through other sources including, but not limited to: (1) Employer's wage records;(2) Statement from employer;(3) State income tax department; or(4) Employment security office.(f) In verifying other income to the household, documents or records generally available from the applicant may be used including, but not limited to:(1) Social security award letter (changes in benefits may not always be reflected);(2) Benefit payment check;(3) Unemployment compensation letter;(4) Pension award notice;(5) Correspondence on benefits;(7) Railroad retirement award letter;(8) Support and alimony payments evidenced by court order, divorce, separation papers, or contribution check; or(9) Veterans administration award notice.(g) Other documents or records from the following sources may also be used for verification including, but not limited to: (1) Social security card;(2) Social security district office files;(3) Bureau of employment security, unemployment compensation section;(6) Worker's compensation records;(7) Veterans administration records;(8) Insurance company records;(10) Railroad retirement board records.(h) If documentary evidence of social security benefits is not readily available from the applicant, the department may verify the income through the Beneficiary Data Exchange (BENDEX). The amount of social security benefits reported on the application shall be used to compute the household's eligibility and benefit level pending receipt of verification from BENDEX.(i) In addition to verifying reported income, the department may investigate the possibilities of unreported income. If it appears that the applicant may be eligible for other benefits, the [branch] department may verify that the applicant is not receiving income from other sources such as social security, unemployment compensation, or public assistance. Additional situations in which the possibility of unreported income may be investigated include: (1) Difficulty in contacting the head of the household at home;(2) Seasonal employment at its peak in the area;(3) Shelter costs higher than reported income; or(4) Similar questionable situations.(j) A household's report of expenses which exceed its income may be grounds for a determination that further verification shall be required. However, these circumstances alone shall not be grounds for a denial. The department shall review with the household how the household manages its finances, whether the household receives excluded income or has resources, and how long the household has managed under these circumstances.[Eff 3/19/93; am and comp 11/09/06] (Auth: HRS § 346-14) (Imp: 7 C.F.R. §273.2(f) )