Eligibility Documentation

Eligibility Documentation Applicants must verify eligibility through the submission of documents. The following is a list of acceptable proof for each requirement: A. Social Security Cards are required for all household members. Cards must be legible. 1) If the applicant is applying for assistance for the first time and cannot provide their Social Security Card, a printout from the Social Security office is acceptable. 2) The requirement to present a social security card is waived for foster children. The applicant must provide a social security number to apply for services. A letter or some documentation from Child Protective Services (CPS) is needed to verify the social security number. 3) For families where custody has been granted for children and Social Security Card is not available, if a social security number has been verified by another MDHS program or governmental agency documentation can be accepted. For subsequent services a physical card should be presented. Agency can assist in helping apply for card. 4) For newborns (less than 8 weeks old) who do not have a Social Security Card, the application can be processed without adding the child, but any income for the child must be counted when determining household income. 5) Subgrantees shall no longer keep copies of Social Security cards and Personal Identifiable Information (PII) documentation in clients’ files. These documents must be scanned into the Virtual ROMA system only and given back to the client. B. Photo Identification Documentation 1) A photo I.D. is required for all household members eighteen (18) years of age and over. Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to: i. Driver’s license ii. State-issued I.D. iii. Passport iv. Military I.D. v. Employment I.D. vi. College/School I.D. vii. Tribal I.D. viii. Alien: Photo I.D. plus Alien Registration/Permanent Resident Card ix. Temporary Resident Card x. Voter Registration I.D. with photo 2) An applicant shall receive services even if an expired photo I.D is presented. However, the picture should be clear. The subgrantee should work with the applicant through case management or referral to obtain a valid I.D. Please do not take pictures of elderly/disabled/homebound clients in lieu of photo I.D. C. Bill to be Paid 1) Applicant must present the current or past due bill to be paid. 2) The bill must be in the name of the head of household or spouse. In certain domains, as in employment & education, the bill can be in the name of a child. 3) If the bill is in the name of a deceased, incarcerated, divorced, or estranged spouse, the subgrantee can pay the bill if official documentation has been provided by the applicant to prove living and/or marital status. Written statements may be provided for confirmation; however, any documentation provided must be notarized and verified by the Subgrantee. 4) If the bill is in the landlord’s name and the applicant is responsible for paying the bill directly to a vendor, documentation is needed to verify the tenant’s living status. This documentation can be a notarized statement from the landlord, a copy of the lease agreement stating the arrangement, or a Landlord Verification form can be completed by the landlord. The landlord cannot request services on behalf of the tenant/client. 5) Any fees resulting from damage to property or illegal fees cannot be paid with CSBG funds.