WAG 02-07-03-h.
See policy memorandum dated 10/03/13 Verifications for Medical Programs.
See Medical Morsel dated 04/01/14 Electronic Verifications for Medical Programs.
Verification for All Programs
Verification of income is required for all benefit programs except for persons who want only QMB or SLIB benefits.
In addition to requesting verification from the applicant and third party sources, conduct inquiries about income and employment through the State Online Query (SOLQ) and Wage Verification System (AWVS).
Use the SOLQ information as proof of the client's SSA/SSI benefit amount. Do not routinely request proof from SSA or ask the client to provide proof of data that is found on the SOLQ clearance. If the client claims that their benefits differ from what is shown on SOLQ, ask them to provide proof.
An AWVS clearance is required for each person who applies for benefits. If a person has more than one Social Security Number (SSN), conduct an inquiry for each number.
If a SNAP applicant claims that income they receive was a loan, verify that it is a loan and the amount.
If a third party does not cooperate in providing verification of income to a SNAP applicant or to the Family Community Resource Center, determine an income amount to be used to calculate and issue SNAP benefits. Base the amount on the best available information.
One Pay Stub Verification for Medical Programs
Application Registration
In an effort to further streamline the application process and assist eligible clients in applying for medical benefits, only one pay stub is required to determine eligibility for all medical programs. For unearned income, only one proof of income received is required, even if the income is received more frequently than once a month. Self-employment records for the entire month are still required.
Redetermination
One pay stub is required when reviewing eligibility for all medical programs. For unearned income, only one proof of income received is required, even if the income is received more frequently than once a month. Self-employment records for the entire month are still required.
Budgeting Guidance
Thirty Days
This section clarifies the phrase "last 30 days" regarding the time frame used to verify income. As long as the proof of income from the 30 day period is representative of the income expected to be received on-going, any 30 day period beginning with 30 days from:
The date the application is submitted through the date a decision is made on the application; or
The date the redetermination form is mailed through the date a decision is made on the redetermination.
Dropping Cents
Policy has not changed regarding dropping cents from individual pays when adding together to determine the income amount to budget or in calculating the benefit amount. Enter the income as reported, including cents. The system will drop the cents when calculating Medical Eligibility.
Note: When IES budgets the income, the result may include cents as shown on the Employment Budget Summary screen. For accuracy, the worker should review the Eligibility Summary screen to ensure that IES has dropped cents in the final calculation.
Budgeting
Budgeting is not changed. If the person is paid weekly and provides one pay stub, multiply the gross amount by 4.3. If the person is paid every 2 weeks and provides one pay stub, multiply the gross amount by 2.15. If the person is paid twice a month, multiply by 2.
See Entering Income for MAGI Medical for instructions on how to enter a monthly amount.
Additional Proof
Additional proof is required only when the worker has reason to believe that the proof provided does not adequately show the family's actual income or expense for the month. An example of this would be when the client states that income was different for a backdated month. For backdated months when the client states the amount was different, the client must provide a stub for the month in question. Document the client's explanation of any income differences in case comments.
Note: Remember to check electronic sources for proof of income before requesting proof from the applicant/customer.
For sources and forms to verify income, see WAG 08-01-00, WAG 08-02-00, and WAG 08-04-00.
