WAC 170-290-0012 When do I need
to verify information?
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When you
apply for benefits, we require you to provide information that helps
us decide your eligibility. We call this "verification."
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After
you apply, we ask you to give us new verification when:
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You
report a change;
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We
find out that your circumstances have changed; or
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The
information we have is questionable, confusing or outdated.
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Whenever
we ask for verification, we give you a notice as described in WAC 388-458-0020.
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We
accept any verification that you can easily get when it reasonably
supports your statement or circumstances. The verification you give to
us must:
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Clearly relate to what you are trying to verify;
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Be
from a reliable source; and
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Be
accurate, complete, and consistent.
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We
cannot make you give us a specific type or form of verification.
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If the
only type of verification that you can get costs money, we pay for it.
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If the
verification that you give to us is questionable or confusing, we may:
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Ask
you to give us more verification or provide a collateral contact (a
"collateral contact" is a statement from someone outside of your
residence that knows your situation); or
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Send
an investigator from the division of fraud investigations (DFI) to
make an unannounced visit to your home to verify your circumstances.
See WAC 170-290-0025(10).
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If you
do not give us all of the verification that we have asked for, we
determine if you are eligible based on the information that we already
have. If we cannot determine that you are eligible based on this
information, we deny or stop your benefits per WAC 170-290-0107 or 170-290-0115.
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Note: This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser.
If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.
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CLARIFYING INFORMATION
For WCCC, a consumer can verify some information for eligibility and authorization such as but not limited to: household composition, new employment information, parenting plans, changes in schedules, hours or income. Only request verification from a source other than the client when needed. Do NOT hold up eligibility determination or authorization changes for verification not required by WAC.
The purpose of WCCC is to issue benefits to consumers as quickly as possible so consumers can start or maintain employment, WorkFirst or other approved activities. WCCC also wants to process authorizations quickly so providers can bill and receive payments timely. Only apply WAC 170-290-0012(7) if the information from the consumer or other source is questionable or confusing.
Use the following table as a guideline for verification sources, which are listed in the order of ease of obtaining. For example, attempt to get child support information from SEMS before asking for a statement from the non-custodial parent.
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WHAT TO VERIFY |
VERIFICATION SOURCES |
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Absent parent address when there are reports or indications that absent parent is in the home, but not reported by consumer |
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Child support paid |
SEMS - Statement from custodial parent
- Receipt
- Check stub showing child
support deducted
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Consumer address if there is a question about where the consumer lives |
Recent mail - Pay stub
- Written landlord statement
- Shared living statement
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Copayment receipts if there is a question of whether the consumer has paid the copayment |
Receipt from provider - Copy of canceled check
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Income
- when there is no payment history or when the income is changing
- when there is work history
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1.a Client statement of schedule and wages by phone or in writing when there is no payment history, or the current job is changing
1.b Employer statement of schedule and wages by phone or in writing when there is no payment history, or the current job is changing and consumer statement is questionable or confusing
2.a Up to 3 months pay stubs
2.b Employer statement of gross wages by phone or in writing when there is payment history
2.c W-2
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Provider (in-home/relative) address when what is reported on the provider form is questionable |
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Recent mail received
- Recent check stubs from other employer
- Current driver's license or other picture ID with name and address on it
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Provider's (in-home/relative) ability to care for child when the provider is receiving SSI or GAU, or there are other indications the provider may not be able to provide care |
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Second parent not physically or mentally able to provide care |
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Special Needs Care |
- Statement from qualified professional with diagnosis, level of child care needed, duration.
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WORKER RESPONSIBILITIES
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Notify the consumer in writing of specific information or verification needed. Only ask for information we can reasonably expect the consumer to obtain and provide.
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Assist the consumer to obtain the required information or verification if needed.
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Allow at least ten calendar days from the date of the written notice for the consumer to provide the requested information. Allow up to 30 days if the consumer has responded to the written request and is attempting to provide additional information or verification.
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Refer to the
Verification chapter in the Eligibility A-Z Manual for further clarifying
information and guidelines such as DSHS forms that can be offered for
verification and how to obtain, pay for, and evaluate information and what
to do if the information is old or expired.
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