Responsibility for Obtaining Verification

The household has primary responsibility for providing documentary evidence to support its income statements and to resolve any questionable information, provided that nothing in 106 CMR 361.650 shall limit the ability of the Department to verify information from other government agencies or from banks. Households may supply documentary evidence in person, through the mail, or through an authorized representative. The worker shall consider any reasonable documentary evidence provided by the household and shall be primarily concerned with how adequately the verification proves the statements on the application. If it would be difficult or impossible for the household to obtain the documentary evidence in a timely manner, or the household has presented insufficient documentation, the worker shall either offer assistance to the household in obtaining the documentary evidence, except when verification of shelter or utility costs for unoccupied homes would have to be obtained from a source outside the State, or shall use a collateral contact or home visit. The worker shall not require the household to present verification in person at the local office.