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Combined Manual

Combined Manual


NON-MANDATORY VERIFICATIONS - SNAP

ISSUE DATE: 03/2026

See 0010.18 (Mandatory Verifications) for mandatory verifications that apply to all programs.


MFIP, MSA, GA, HSP:
No provisions. See 0010.18.01 (Mandatory Verifications - Cash Assistance).


SNAP:
See 0010.18.02 (Mandatory Verifications – SNAP) for the mandatory verifications for SNAP.

The items below must be verified at application to be allowed as deductions. Verification of these expenses is not a condition of eligibility since they are non-mandatory verifications. When verifications are not provided, the expenses will not be allowed as deductions. See 0005.12.15.01 (Processing SNAP Application Non-Mandatory Verification) for more information on processing the application when mandatory verifications are provided but verification of non-mandatory verifications are needed.

For expense changes during the certification period, see 0008.06.01 (Implementing Changes – Program Provisions).

For expense changes at recertification, see 0009.06.03.03 (Processing SNAP Recertification Non-Mandatory Verification).

The following expenses must be verified to allow them as a deduction:

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Housing costs.

When the unit is residing in a HSP setting or has subsidized housing, also obtain verification of what amounts are being paid by HSP or the housing subsidy and what the client is paying. Only what the client is paying is allowed as a deduction.

Housing costs include but are not limited to property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. See below for specific provisions on verifying property taxes and homeowner’s insurance:

  • For property taxes that are paid through a mortgage escrow account, the mortgage statement showing the amount paid for property taxes can be used to verify both expenses. When the property taxes are not paid through a mortgage escrow account, separate verification of the property tax expense is needed. This can be obtained through the county assessor’s website.
  • For homeowner's insurance the unit must provide verification of the amount they are paying to insure the structure of the home. Insurance on personal property that is billed on a separate premium or rider, is not allowed. When homeowner's insurance is paid through a mortgage escrow account, the mortgage statement showing the amount paid for the homeowner's insurance can be used to verify both expenses. See 0018.15 (Shelter Deductions). When the homeowner's insurance is not paid through a mortgage escrow account, separate verification of the homeowner’s insurance is needed.

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Allowable medical expenses when the unit is eligible for a medical expense deduction. Note: Some expenses may be verified through MA information. In addition, you may accept a client’s written statement for the amount of miles they travel to obtain medical care when no other verification is available. See 0018.12 (Medical Deductions) and 0018.12.03 (Allowable SNAP Medical Expenses).

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The amount of a court-ordered child support obligation and the amount of child support actually paid to another household to allow the support as a deduction. See 0018.33 (Child and Spousal Support Deductions).

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Educational expenses to allow as a deduction from financial aid income. See 0017.15.36.09 (Student Financial Aid Deductions).

Note: Utility expenses and dependent care expenses are also allowable deductions for SNAP. These do not need to be verified to allow them as a deduction, unless information provided is questionable. Accept a client’s verbal statement as attestation of these expenses. See 0018.09 (Dependent Care Deduction) and 0018.15.09 (Utility Deductions).imageimageimage

PREVIOUS REVISIONS

DateNotes
07/2025 in SNAP, adds policy updates for how eligibility workers act on changes known during the certification period.
12/2021 in SNAP adds information throughout on if a change is reported on weekends, holidays, or after hours. Adds that educational expenses are a non-mandatory verification and only need to be verified to allow as a deduction from financial aid income.
06/2021 in SNAP in the 1st bullet adds information about how to allow housing costs for a unit in a GRH setting or in subsidized housing.
03/2021 in SNAP in the 2nd paragraph updates property insurance and home owner's insurance information for clarity.
11/2020 in SNAP in the 2nd paragraph deletes information about property insurance. It also adds new information about home owner's insurance.
01/2020 is a new section about non-mandatory SNAP verifications.

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