SR 11-07 Dated 02/11

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

INTER-DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION

SUMMARY

This SR releases Food Stamp Manual (FSM) clarifications to FSM 301.07, How to Verify, to incorporate the policy clarification released in the Director’s Memo dated October 22, 2010, subject line, Verification of Identity for Food Stamps.

The following clarifying text was added to the current text in FSM 301.07 to emphasize that picture identification is not needed to verify identity in the Food Stamp Program:

Anything that reasonably establishes the identity of an applicant is acceptable for Food Stamp eligibility. Identity can be verified through documentary evidence or through a collateral contact. Examples of documentary evidence include but are not limited to the following:

·   Driver’s License;

·   Work or school identification card;

·   Health benefits identification card;

·   Identification from another assistance or social services program;

·   A voter registration card;

·   Wage stubs; or

·   A birth certificate.

A picture ID is not required to establish the identity of the Food Stamp head of household. If an applicant is applying for more than one program, and the other program does require picture identification, that identification may also be used for verification of identity for Food Stamp purposes.

POLICY

The current policy in FSM 301.07, How to Verify, pertaining to verification of identity for Food Stamps, remains valid as follows:

Verify the identity of a Food Stamp applicant using any document that reasonably establishes the individual’s identity. If no document is available, use a collateral contact.

However, prompted by feedback indicating that some Food Stamp only applicants were being asked for photo identification, the current policy is being further clarified by adding the following text to FSM 301.07:

Anything that reasonably establishes the identity of an applicant is acceptable for Food Stamp eligibility. Identity can be verified through documentary evidence or through a collateral contact. Examples of acceptable documentary proof for identification include, but are not limited to, the following:

·   Driver’s License;

·   Work or school identification card;

·   Health benefits identification card;

·   Identification from another assistance or social services program;

·   A voter registration card;

·   Wage stubs; or

·   A birth certificate.

A picture ID is not required to establish the identity of the Food Stamp head of household. If an applicant is applying for more than one program, and the other program does require picture identification, that identification may also be used for verification of identity for Food Stamp purposes.

EBT cards and Identity

If an EBT card is being generated for the case, the identity and address of the EBT card recipient has already been verified. Additionally, specific security safeguards are in place related to the Personal Identification Number (PIN) process to activate the EBT card to ensure that only the verified individual or the authorized representative who should be receiving the card is able to PIN the card. As of October 2010, via SR 10-23, in which the centralized card issuance process was released, most EBT cards are being sent to the EBT card recipient’s verified mailing address.

The current policy in FSM 707, ISSUING BENEFITS, regarding proof of identity for individuals picking up EBT cards at a DO, also remains valid and unchanged as follows:

If a recipient or AR chooses to obtain an EBT card at the District Office, the person must present proof of identity before being given the EBT card.

Although the policy in FSM 707 is not changing, a link to FSM 301.07, How to Verify, is being added to eliminate any confusion as to what proofs of identity are required for individuals who are picking up their EBT cards.

Identity, Phone Interviews, and Expedited Food Stamp Benefits

Food Stamp cases must still provide proof of identity to be eligible for expedited services, even if the eligibility interview is conducted over the phone. Per current Food Stamp Program policy and the clarifications released in this SR, the proof of identity does not have to be a picture ID, merely any document that reasonably confirms the person’s identity.

If a telephone interview is conducted and the case meets Expedited Food Stamp criteria, the worker has 7 days to process the case. When on the phone with the applicant, the worker should clearly indicate to the applicant or the authorized representative (AR) the importance of providing proof of identity as quickly as possible. However, Per FSM 125.09, Time Frames for Expedited Service, if the Food Stamp applicant meets the expedited service criteria but cannot provide proof of identity and the worker cannot prove identity through documentation or collateral contacts the worker currently has access to, the expedited service time frames do not begin until the date the proof of identity is provided. For Document Imaging offices, this means that the processing timeframes do not begin until the documents have been received by the Centralized Scanning Unit. For non-Imaging offices, this means that the processing timeframes do not begin until the documents have been received by the DO.

Additionally, per FSM 125.13, Postponed Verification, if an AR is applying on behalf of the individual, the worker can postpone verification of the applicant’s identity, if necessary, to meet time frames for expedited service, although the AR still needs to provide proof of their identity.

NEW HEIGHTS SYSTEMS PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENTATION

Verification of identity is already part of the automated eligibility process. No further implementation is necessary.

POLICY MANUAL REVISIONS

Revised Food Stamp Manual Topics

Section 301.07    How to Verify

PART 707     ISSUING BENEFITS

IMPLEMENTATION

The policy clarifications released in this SR are effective upon release.

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

No client notification is planned or needed.

TRAINING

A Director’s Memo dated October 22, 2010, subject line, Verification of Identity for Food Stamps, was provided to all Family Services Specialists. No other training is planned or needed.

DISPOSITION

This SR may be destroyed or deleted after its contents have been noted and the revised manual topic released by this SR has been posted to the On-line manual.

DISTRIBUTION

This SR will be distributed according to the electronic distribution list for Division of Family Assistance policy releases. This SR, and revised On-Line Manuals, will be available for agency staff in the On-Line Manual Library, and for public access on the Internet at www.dhhs.nh.gov/DFA/publications.htm, effective March 28, 2011. Additionally, this SR, and printed pages with posting instructions, will be distributed under separate cover to all internal hard copy holders of the Food Stamp Manual.

DFA/KD:s