04 Resolving Questionable or Unclear Information
Consider all circumstances when deciding whether information is
questionable or
unclear.
Verify information that is questionable or unclear when it affects eligibility or benefit level. Document the
case file(g) to explain the reason the information is considered questionable or unclear.
Questionable and unclear verification must be resolved prior to determining benefits.
The appropriate information request notice, requesting verification necessary to resolve the discrepancy must be sent.
Give the participant ten calendar days to provide the verification. (See
Verification process) One of the following is completed, as appropriate:
●Determine eligibility when the additional information is received. (See
Determining Eligibility) Document the verification used to resolve the issue.
●Information may continue to be unclear, questionable, or not provided within the required
verification time frames. (Also see
Changes Not Verified ‑ Increases) When this occurs, deny the application or stop benefits allowing for
NOAA. Use the Denial or Closure Reason Code appropriate to the information that was unclear, questionable, or not provided.
When requested verification for Nutrition Assistance (NA) is not provided, send the NA Denial/Closure (F200) notice. List all of the requested verification that was not provided.
Do not list verification items in the F200 that meet any of the following:
●Were already provided
●Were obtained through a collateral contact
●Were not included in any verification request related to the application that is being denied
(For budgeting procedures, see
Budgeting Expenses Overview)