The indicators received through the Continuous Evaluation Project (CEP)are generated through an external data matching process outside of our agency’s eligibility system.  This identifies conflicting information reported within the previous 30 days. The purpose of the request for verification is to verify current information that is reported to conflict with the case record information.

Residency Verification:

The information received indicates a recent address that is outside of Oklahoma and conflicts with address / residency information on the case.

For SNAP and Medical benefits, a household’s statement alone is not sufficient to verify physical address or residency in Oklahoma when conflicting information is received.  Verification must establish the household’s current physical residence (and may or may not be the same as verification for shelter and utility expenses).

Acceptable verification includes:

• Current lease agreement for the residential address in the name of the person indicated on the ADM92

• Current mortgage statement for the residential address in the name of the person indicated on the ADM92
• Current utility bill in the name with residential address of the person indicated on the ADM92
• Current home insurance or yearly tax bill with the residential address of the person indicated on the ADM92, IF the home is paid off and there is no mortgage payment
• Any of the above documents in the name of another person must also include a signed and dated statement with contact information from the person whose name is on those documents to verify the person indicated on the ADM92 resides at that physical location

First Contact Resolution may be used when the eligibility worker contacts the landlord, property owner, or another knowledgeable third party who is directly involved with the circumstances and can verify the household’s address or residency. This can be a verbal statement if a written statement cannot be obtained.  The case record must document the individual’s name, contact information, and the information provided.

A driver’s license may be used to verify identity but is not sufficient to verify residency because the address may be outdated or inaccurate for SNAP purposes.

For a person experiencing homelessness, a valid mailing address must still be maintained in the case record, but we must also verify that person is physically residing in the state of Oklahoma.  A social services organization for the homeless may provide a statement verifying this information if they assist the person.  If the person comes into one of the OKDHS office locations, the employee can document that they were seen in person at that location. In all cases, document the household’s living situation and any circumstances affecting residency in the case notes.

For Child Care benefits: A parent’s or caretaker’s statement that they live in Oklahoma meets the residence requirement. An address discrepancy, by itself, does not override that statement, does not require the family to provide documentary proof of residency, and is not a basis to close a child care benefit. However, if the client affirmatively informs the worker that they have moved out of state, that is a confirmed change, and the child care benefit is closed effective 10-calendar days from the date action is taken, with proper advance notice.

For TANF benefits: A person’s statement that he or she is an Oklahoma resident and is not residing in Oklahoma for a temporary purpose is sufficient when consistent with other known facts. When the statement is inconsistent with other known facts, further substantiation is necessary. An address discrepancy, by itself, does not override that statement and is not a basis to close a TANF benefit. However, if the client affirmatively informs the worker that they have moved out of state, that is a confirmed change, and the TANF benefit is closed for the next effective month.

Income Verification:

The information received indicates a change in income in the prior 30 days.  This means the income is different than what is currently on the case based on one of several reasons documented in Case Notes (see the chart below).  This information is not from OWL, SNH, NNH, NHL, etc. and may not be shown on those data screens.

For the SNAP program, earned and unearned income must be verified to establish the household’s current income from the prior 30 days.  Previous verification cannot be used to resolve this request and sources from our eligibility system may not show these discrepancies. New income verification must be received, and eligibility must be determined based on the new verification.  The source of verification can vary and there are various ways to establish current income.

See the Verification Guide for more information about acceptable ways to verify income.

For ABD-Related Medical programs, income reported for SNAP must be used to recalculate eligibility for all cases except SSI.  For SSI Medicaid cases, use the SNAP earned income as a starting point and adjust it to match the income reported on the SDX screen. Determine eligibility using the amount in SDX Block 006 (Gross SSI Income). When entering the adjusted earned income in FACS, use the Diverted income block.

For the Child Care program, federal rules limit which income changes can affect benefits between renewals since the program operates on a 12-month eligibility period.  The only income changes a household is required to report is income that exceeds the income eligibility threshold for the family size, per Appendix C-4, Child Care Eligibility/Copayment Chart.  An income indicator, by itself, is not a basis to reduce or close child care benefits during the eligibility period. If the income may exceed the threshold, the ADM92 sent for the Continuous Evaluation project is a sufficient request for the child care program.

When an income indicator is received, the benefit should be reviewed to compare the new income to the Appendix C-4 income eligibility threshold for the family size:

• If the income does not exceed the threshold, no action is taken on the child care benefit. The family share copayment does not increase, and benefits do not decrease until renewal. Document the review in case notes.
• If the client does not provide the requested verification, the child care benefit is not closed or reduced for failure to respond. Benefits continue unchanged until renewal. Document this in case notes.
• If verification shows income decreased, the family share copayment may be lowered. A reported change may increase child care benefits (more days, hours, etc.) during the eligibility period, but it cannot decrease them.

For the TANF program: Income reported for SNAP must be used to calculate eligibility. An income indicator, by itself, is not a basis to reduce or close TANF benefits during the eligibility period, as TANF HH could be eligible for EID (Earned Income Disregard). SSI income is not considered in computing the TANF benefit. When the assistance unit’s gross income meets or exceeds the monthly maximum gross income, the case is closed. Refer to Oklahoma Human Services Appendix C-1, Schedule of Maximum Income, Resource, and Payment Standards, Schedule IX for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families payment standard.