HAR §17-655-59. Processing IEVS information

(a) The department shall take action, including proper notices to households, to terminate, deny, or reduce assistance based on information obtained through the IEVS which is considered verified upon receipt. Information considered verified upon receipt includes: (1) Social security and SSI benefit information obtained from SSA; (2) AFDC benefit information; and (3) UIB information obtained from the agency administering the unemployment compensation program. (b) If the department has information that the IEVS-obtained information specified in subsection (a) is questionable, this information shall be considered unverified upon receipt and the department shall take action as specified in subsection (c). 655-42 (c) Prior to taking action to terminate, deny, or reduce assistance based on information obtained through the IEVS which is considered unverified upon receipt, the department shall independently verify the information. Information considered unverified includes: (1) Unearned income information from the IRS; (2) Wage information from the SSA and SWICA; and (3) Questionable IEVS information specified in subsection (b). (d) The requirement of independent verification specified in subsection (c) shall include verification of: (1) The amount of income or asset involved; (2) Whether the family has or had access to such income or asset such it would be countable income or asset; and (3) The period during which such access occurred. (e) Except with respect to unearned income information from the IRS, if the department has information which indicates that independent verification is not needed, such verification is not required. (f) The department shall obtain independent verification of unverified information from IEVS by means of contacting the family or the appropriate income, asset, or benefit source, or both. (g) If the department chooses to contact the family as specified in subsection (f), the department shall do so in writing and shall include: (1) The information which the department has received; and (2) A request that the family respond within ten days. (h) If the family fails to respond in a timely manner to the department's request, the department shall send the family a notice of adverse action. (i) The department may contact the appropriate income, asset, or benefit source by the means best suited to the situation. 655-43 (j) When the household or appropriate income, asset, or benefit source provides the independent verification, the department shall properly notice the family of the action the department intends to take and provide the family an opportunity to request a hearing prior to any adverse action. [Eff 3/19/93 ] (Auth: HRS §346-14) (Imp: HRS §346-14; 7 C.F.R. §273.2(f)(9); 42 C.F.R. §§435.952, 435.955; 45 C.F.R. §205.56)