New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 10 - HUMAN SERVICES › Chapter 87 - NEW JERSEY SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (NJ SNAP) MANUAL › Subchapter 2 - THE APPLICATION PROCESS › Section 10:87-2.20 - Verification of questionable information

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The CWA shall
				verify all other factors of eligibility not described at
				10:87-2.19 prior to certification
				only if they are questionable and affect the household's eligibility or benefit
				level. To be considered questionable, the information on the application must
				be inconsistent with statements made by the applicant, inconsistent with other
				information on the application or previous applications, or inconsistent with
				information received by the CWA prior to certification. When determining if
				information is questionable, the CWA shall base the decision on each
				household's individual circumstances. The fact that a household's expenses
				exceed its income may be grounds for a determination that further verification
				may be required. However, this fact shall not, in and of itself, be grounds for
				a denial. Additionally, these decisions shall not prescribe verification based
				on race, religion, ethnic background, or national origin, nor shall they target
				groups such as migrant workers or American Indians. The CWA shall instead
				explore with the household how it is managing, whether or not the household
				receives excluded income or has resources, and how long the household has
				managed under these circumstances. Certain special procedures described in this
				section shall be followed when information concerning one of the following
				eligibility requirements is questionable.
(b) When a household's statement that one or
				more of its members is a U.S. citizen is questionable, the household shall be
				asked to provide acceptable verification. Acceptable forms of verification
				include birth certificates, religious records, voter registration cards, or
				certificates of citizenship or naturalization provided by BCIS, such as
				Identification Cards for Use of Resident Citizens in the U.S. (BCIS Form I-179
				or BCIS Form I-197) or U.S. Passports.
1.
				Participation in the WFNJ/TANF program shall be considered acceptable
				verification of citizenship if verification was obtained for that household for
				eligibility in that program.
2. If
				the above forms of verification cannot be obtained and the household can
				provide a reasonable explanation as to why verification is not available, the
				CWA shall accept a signed "Affidavit of Citizenship" from someone who is a U.S.
				citizen who declares, under penalty of perjury that the member in question is a
				U.S. citizen.
3. The member whose
				citizenship is in question shall be ineligible to participate until proof of
				United States citizenship is obtained. Until proof of United States citizenship
				is obtained, the member whose citizenship is in question shall have his or her
				income, less a pro rate share, and all of his or her resources considered
				available to any remaining household members as set forth at
				10:87-7.7(c).