Section 170-290-0012. Verifying consumers' information.

(1) A consumer must provide all required information to DSHS to determine eligibility when the consumer initially applies or reapplies for benefits.

(2) All verification that is provided to DSHS must:

(a) Clearly relate to the information DSHS is requesting;

(b) Be from a reliable source; and

(c) Be accurate, complete, and consistent.

(3) If DSHS has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inconsistent, conflicting or outdated, DSHS may:

(a) Ask the consumer to provide DSHS with more verification or provide a collateral contact (a "collateral contact" is a statement from someone outside of the consumer's residence that knows the consumer's situation); or

(b) Send an investigator from the DSHS office of fraud and accountability (OFA) to make an unannounced visit to the consumer's home to verify the consumer's circumstances. See WAC 170-290-0025(9).

(4) The verification that the consumer gives to DSHS includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) A current WorkFirst individual responsibility plan (IRP) for consumers receiving TANF;

(b) Employer name, address, and phone number;

(c) State business registration and license, if self-employed;

(d) Hourly wage or salary;

(e) Either the:

(i) Gross income for the last three months;

(ii) Self-attestation of anticipated wages for new employment and third-party verification of the wages within sixty days of the date DSHS approved the consumer's application or reapplication for WCCC benefits;

(iii) Federal income tax return for the preceding calendar year; or

(iv) DSHS employment verification form;

(f) Monthly unearned income the household receives, such as supplemental security income (SSI) benefits or child support. Child support payment amounts are verified as follows:

(i) For applicants or consumers who are not receiving DSHS division of child support services, the amount as shown on a current court or administrative order;

(ii) For applicants or consumers who are receiving DSHS division of child support services, the amount as verified by the DSHS division of child support;

(iii) For applicants or consumers who have an informal verbal or written child support agreement, the amount as verified by the written agreement signed by the noncustodial parent (NCP);

(iv) For applicants or consumers who cannot provide a written agreement signed by the NCP, the amount received for child support verified by a written statement from the consumer that documents why they cannot provide the statement from the NCP.

(g) If the other parent is in the household, the same information for them;

(h) Proof that the child belongs to one of the following groups as defined in WAC 388-424-0001:

(i) A U.S. citizen;

(ii) A U.S. national;

(iii) A qualified alien; or

(iv) A nonqualified alien who meets the Washington state residency requirements as listed in WAC 388-468-0005.

(5) If DSHS requires verification from a consumer that costs money, DSHS must pay for the consumer's reasonable costs.

(6) DSHS does not pay for a self-employed consumer's state business registration or license, which is a cost of doing business.

(7) If a consumer does not provide all of the verification requested within thirty days from the application date, DSHS will determine if a consumer is eligible based on the information already available to DSHS.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070, chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 16-19-107, § 170-290-0012, filed 9/21/16, effective 10/22/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 16-09-059, § 170-290-0012, filed 4/15/16, effective 5/16/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 12-21-008, § 170-290-0012, filed 10/5/12, effective 11/5/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070, 43.215.060 and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 12-11-025, § 170-290-0012, filed 5/8/12, effective 6/8/12. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW, RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, 2011 1st sp.s. c 42, 2011 1st sp.s. c 50, and 2006 c 265 § 501. WSR 11-18-001, § 170-290-0012, filed 8/24/11, effective 9/24/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, 2006 c 265, and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 09-22-043, § 170-290-0012, filed 10/28/09, effective 12/1/09. WSR 08-08-047, recodified as § 170-290-0012, filed 3/27/08, effective 3/27/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. WSR 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, § 388-290-0012, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04.]

RCW 43.215.070, chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 16-19-107, § 170-290-0012, filed 9/21/16, effective 10/22/16. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 16-09-059, § 170-290-0012, filed 4/15/16, effective 5/16/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 12-21-008, § 170-290-0012, filed 10/5/12, effective 11/5/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.070, 43.215.060 and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 12-11-025, § 170-290-0012, filed 5/8/12, effective 6/8/12. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.215 RCW, RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, 2011 1st sp.s. c 42, 2011 1st sp.s. c 50, and 2006 c 265 § 501. WSR 11-18-001, § 170-290-0012, filed 8/24/11, effective 9/24/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, 2006 c 265, and chapter 43.215 RCW. WSR 09-22-043, § 170-290-0012, filed 10/28/09, effective 12/1/09. WSR 08-08-047, recodified as § 170-290-0012, filed 3/27/08, effective 3/27/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.12.340, 74.13.085, and 2003 1st sp.s. c 25. WSR 04-08-021 and 04-08-134, § 388-290-0012, filed 3/29/04 and 4/7/04, effective 5/28/04.

Rules

170-290-0025,388-424-0001,388-468-0005,