Md. Code Regs. 07.03.17.20

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 22, November 1, 2024

Section 07.03.17.20 - Verification

A. Verification is the use of third-party information or documentation to establish the accuracy of statements on the application.

B. The local department shall assist the household to obtain the necessary verification.

C. At initial application, and before certification, the household shall provide verification of the following:

(1) Identity of the applicant, or, when an authorized representative applies, the identity of the applicant and authorized representative;

(2) Gross nonexcludable income as described in Regulation .30 of this chapter;

(3) Immigrant status for an immigrant in the household in accordance with Regulation .09 of this chapter;

(4) Medical expenses as described in Regulation .33 of this chapter, if the household claims allowable medical expenses above $35 per month;

(5) Residency as described in Regulation .08 of this chapter;

(6) Social Security number as described in Regulation .11 of this chapter;

(7) Amount of included resources as described in Regulation .26 of this chapter;

(8) Legal obligation to make child support payments to or for an individual living outside the household and the amount of actual payments as described in Regulation .35 of this chapter;

(9) Household composition, if questionable as described in §G of this regulation;

(10) Shelter costs for homeless households claiming shelter expenses that would result in a shelter deduction greater than the homeless allowance;

(11) Hours worked for individuals subject to the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents as described in Regulation .23 of this chapter;

(12) Disability if the disability determination affects the household's eligibility or benefit level; and

(13) All other factors of eligibility that are questionable as described in §G of this regulation and affect the household's eligibility and benefit level.

D. Optional Verification.

(1) The Department may require verification of any other factor that affects eligibility or benefit level.

(2) The verification:

(a) May be required Statewide or in a local department area; and

(b) May not be imposed on a selective case-by-case basis.

(3) If a local department area chooses to verify a deductible expense and the expense cannot be verified within 30 days of the date of application, the eligibility and benefit level shall be determined without a deduction for the unverified expense.

E. Verification at Recertification.

(1) At recertification the local department shall verify:

(a) A change in income if the source has changed or the amount has changed by more than $50;

(b) Previously unreported medical expenses;

(c) Actual utility expenses and total recurring medical expenses that have changed by more than $50;

(d) A change in the:

(i) Legal obligation to pay child support;

(ii) Obligated amount of child support received; or

(iii) Amount of legally obligated child support a household member pays;

(e) Newly obtained Social Security numbers;

(f) Hours worked for individuals subject to the work requirement for able-bodied adults without dependents as described in Regulation .23 of this chapter; and

(g) Any other change if the information provided is questionable as described in §G of this regulation, incomplete, or outdated.

(2) Unless a change is questionable as described in §G of this regulation, incomplete, or outdated, at recertification the local department may not verify:

(a) Income, if the:

(i) Source has not changed; and

(ii) Amount is unchanged or the amount has changed by $50 or less; or

(b) Total medical expenses or actual utility expenses that:

(i) Are unchanged; or

(ii) Have changed by $50 or less.

F. Verification of Changes Reported during a Certification Period.

(1) Except as described in §F(2) of this regulation, changes reported during the certification period are subject to the same verification procedures that apply at initial application.

(2) Unless a change is questionable as described in §G of this regulation, incomplete, or outdated, the local department may not verify:

(a) Income, if the:

(i) Source has not changed; and

(ii) Amount is unchanged or the amount has changed by $50 or less; or

(b) Total medical expenses or actual utility expenses that:

(i) Are unchanged; or

(ii) Have changed by $50 or less.

G. Questionable Information. A factor of eligibility is questionable when information provided by the household is inconsistent with:

(1) Statements made by the applicant;

(2) Information on the application or on a previous application; or

(3) Information received by the local department.

H. Documentary Evidence.

(1) A household may supply documentary evidence:

(a) In person;

(b) Through the mail;

(c) By facsimile or other electronic device; or

(d) Through an authorized representative.

(2) The local department:

(a) Shall accept any reasonable documentary evidence provided by the individual;

(b) Shall be primarily concerned with how adequately the verification proves the statements on the application; and

(c) May not require the individual to present verification in person at the local department.

Md. Code Regs. 07.03.17.20

Regulations .20 adopted effective December 25, 2000 (27:25 Md. R. 2280)
Regulation .20 amended effective October 27, 2003 (30:21 Md. R. 1528)
Regulation .20G adopted as an emergency provision effective November 1, 2001 (28:24 Md. R. 2122); amended permanently effective March 18, 2002 (29:5 Md. R. 502)