Section 1240-01-03-.06 - VERIFICATION(1) Food Stamps. (a) The worker shall verify residence prior to certification except in unusual cases where verification of residency cannot reasonably be accomplished. For example, migrant farmworker households or homeless households newly arrived in a county area may not be able to verify their residency prior to certification.(b) Verification of residency should be accomplished to the extent possible in conjunction with the verification of other information such as, but not limited to, rent and mortgage payments, utility expenses, and identity. If verification cannot be accomplished in conjunction with the verification of other information, the worker shall use a collateral contact or other readily available documentary evidence. Documents used to verify other factors of eligibility should normally suffice to verify residency as well. Any documents or collateral contacts which reasonably establish the applicant's residency must be accepted and no requirement for a specific type of verification may be imposed. No durational residency requirement shall be established.(c) When transfer procedures have not been followed, questions may arise regarding prior participation during the month of application. In all questionable cases, the county should call the Regional EDP Center and request that the information be verified through the CRT terminal or available Authorization to Purchase listing. The worker may also use a simple statement signed by the head of the household attesting to the fact that coupons were not obtained during the month in another county or state and attempt an after the fact verification.(2) AFDC. Some evidence of an applicant/recipient's residence is to be required prior to approval and at redetermination.(3) AFDC and Food Stamps. When evidence is necessary to establish residence, documents with the HH/AU's address shall be the primary source of verification although collateral contact and/or home visits may be used if documentary evidence cannot be obtained. Verification shall not be limited to a single document. Assistance must be provided to the HH/AU in obtaining verification if such assistance is needed.(a) Duplicate Addresses. Duplicate addresses constitute questionable circumstances and require verification.(b) Home Visit. Home visits shall be used as verification of residence only if documentary evidence cannot be obtained and the visit is scheduled in advance with the HH/AU.(c) Collateral Contacts. A collateral contact is a confirmation of an HH/AU circumstances by a person outside of the household who is in a position to know the facts. The acceptability of a collateral contact shall not be restricted to a particular individual but may be anyone that can be expected to provide an accurate third party verification of the household's statement.(d) Discrepancies. Where information from another source contradicts statements made by the HH/AU, the HH/AU shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to resolve the discrepancy prior to an eligibility determination. If discrepancies cannot be resolved in a reasonable period of time, benefits will be denied/terminated.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-01-03-.06
Original rule filed August 15, 1980; effective September 29, 1980. Amendment filed August 28, 1981; effective October 13, 1981. Amendment filed September 29, 1986; effective December 29, 1986.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 14-8-103, 14-8-106, and 14-27-104; PL 99-198; 51 Federal Register 98 (May 21, 1986); 7 C.F.R. 273.2; 7 C.F.R.. 273.3; 4 C.F.R. 233.40.