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State of Wisconsin |
HISTORY |
The policy on this page is from a previous version of the handbook.
Documentary evidence is written confirmation of a member's circumstances; examples include wage statements, check stubs, and employment verification forms.
Although documentary evidence should be the primary source of verification, acceptable verification cannot be limited to only this type of source and may be obtained through the member or other sources. Other sources may include collateral contacts (see SECTION 1.2.2.2 COLLATERAL CONTACTS) which are oral confirmations of a member's circumstances by a person outside of the FoodShare case.
If all attempts to verify have been unsuccessful because the person or organization providing the income verification has failed to cooperate with the applicant or member and agency (for example, by charging a fee or refusing to complete a verification form), and all other sources of verification are unavailable, determine an amount to be used for certification purposes based on the best available information.
Clearly document the attempts to obtain verification and the reasoning for the estimate that is used. Best available information may include but is not limited to:
7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(i)
Verification of gross monthly countable income, regardless of the amount, is required through documentary evidence or collateral contact. If unable to obtain the requested verification, use best available information (see Section 1.2.2 Sources for Verification).
Verification is required for all earned income. Pay stubs showing income received during the last 30 days should be used as an indicator of the income that is and will be available during the certification period, unless that income does not accurately reflect changes that have occurred or are anticipated to occur.
Statements from employers may be used to verify prospective income.
Employment Verification of Earnings (EVF-E) form (F-10146) can be used to verify prospective income. However, this form is not mandatory for FoodShare. An EVF-E is considered a valid source of earned income verification only if the form is returned as complete and contains the employer's signature.
If income widely fluctuates over time and a 30-day period cannot provide an accurate indication of prospective income, a longer period of past time may be used. To average this type of income, use the anticipated income and include the anticipated fluctuations. Make every attempt to accurately verify prospective income and clearly document the reasoning for the prospective income estimate.
| Example 1 | Joan's provides an employment verification form completed by the employer that includes all necessary information to make a reasonable estimate of prospective income and the information is not questionable. Joan must not be required to submit check stubs or any other additional verification. |
| Example 2 | Joan submits all check stubs received in the most recent 30 days. The check stubs include enough information to make a reasonable estimate of prospective income, and the information is not questionable. The IM worker must not require Joan to submit an employment verification form completed by the employer or any other additional verification. |
Workers should instruct the applicant or member to keep all wage statements and check stubs for future verification purposes.
Verifying Employment or Income Changes
When a member reports new employment during their certification period, follow the unclear information policy. (See Section 1.2.4.1 Gross Countable Income Verification, Section 1.2.4.2 Earned Income Verification, and Section 1.2.4.3 Self-Employment Income Verification).
If a member reports that they ended employment at application, renewal, or during their certification period, only require verification when necessary. Follow unclear information policy for any unclear and questionable information.
Verification is not needed if employment or income ended in a month before the month of the eligibility determination.
| Example 3 | Natalie applies for FoodShare in February and reports that they are not currently working. Their previous case information shows that they were working at Kathy’s Yarn Shop in July. During the FoodShare interview, Natalie reports that their last employment ended in October and their last check was in November. Unless there is a reason to deem their statement questionable, do not require verification that employment ended. |
| Example 4 | Josh applied for FoodShare in December and reports that he is currently working. In March, Josh reports he ended his employment, and his last check will be received in March. This is not questionable. Verification is not required, and the information is clear. The employment is end dated and eligibility is redetermined for the next possible benefit month. |
| Example 5 | Camden submits her application on February 12. She reports her employment ended on January 30, but she will not receive her last paycheck until February 15. Her last paycheck is needed to determine eligibility and benefits for the application month of February. Verification is required for employment ending and the amount of income received in February. |
Verification is required for self-employment income. This type of income is earned directly from one's own business, not through salary or wages. Use Self-Employment Income Reporting Forms (SEIRFs) (F-00107 and F-00219, for farm businesses), IRS tax forms, or bookkeeping records to verify self-employment income.
7 CFR 273.2(f)(2) and 7 CFR 273.2(f)(3)
FoodShare applicants and members tested under broad-based categorical eligibility or categorical eligibility rules do not have an asset test. Their assets are not counted since they are authorized to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)-funded services. FoodShare applicants and members tested under these rules must not be asked to provide information about or to verify their assets.
EXCEPTION: A substantial lottery or gambling winning (see section 6.1.1.1 substantial lottery or gambling winning) is considered an asset. Any member who reports a questionable substantial lottery or gambling winning must provide verification.
Applicants must report the amount of available liquid assets at the point of initial application to determine eligibility for priority service and expedited issuance. The reported assets are not required to be verified (see SECTION 2.1.4 EXPEDITED SERVICE AT APPLICATION).
Under regular SNAP rules FoodShare applicants and members are tested for assets. Elderly, Blind, or Disabled (EBD) food units with gross monthly income that exceeds 200% of the Federal Poverty Limit (FPL) are subject to the asset limit. Non-EBD food units may be tested under regular SNAP rules if certain criteria are met (see section 4.2.2 Regular SNAP Rules). These food units are subject to the non-EBD asset limit. Food units tested under regular SNAP rules must verify their assets (see section 4.4.1 Assets).
7 CFR 273.2(f)(3)
Medical costs and legally obligated child support expenses are required to be verified at application and renewal. Follow unclear information policy for unclear expense information reported during the certification period.
7 CFR 273.9(d)(4)
Dependent care expenses required for members to keep or obtain employment, receive training or education preparatory for employment, or comply with employment and training requirements should be deducted from income. Convert expenses to monthly amounts.
Dependent care expenses do not require verification, unless the applicant or member’s statement is deemed questionable.
Examples of applicant or member statements that may be considered questionable include:
| Example 6 |
Vinny is a 10-year-old child who attends Prestigious Prep Childcare four days a week during the summer while his parents are working. His parents indicate that this care costs $1,000 per week. The cost of care seems unreasonably high compared to the cost of other care in the area. The IM worker should request verification of this dependent care expense. |
Reminder: Only deduct dependent care expenses that the household is responsible to pay. When a member receives benefits through Wisconsin Shares, the child care subsidy program, the subsidy amount paid by the State is not an allowable dependent care expense.
Shelter and utility expenses do not require verification for FoodShare benefit calculation unless the applicant or member’s statement is deemed questionable. Examples of applicant or member statements that may be considered questionable include:
7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(iv)
Verification at Application
Medical expenses totaling over $35 out-of-pocket that are claimed by an EBD person must be verified at application for the expense to be used in the FoodShare benefit calculation.
7 CFR 273.2(f)(8)(ii) and 273.12(c)
Verification during the Certification Period
Verification is needed for medical expenses reported by the household during the certification period only if the total amount of previously verified medical expenses has changed by more than $25.
If the reported medical expense change is questionable or unverified, follow policies for unclear information.
| Example 7 | Edith, a disabled FoodShare member, provided proof of her $200 monthly prescription costs from her pharmacy at application. In the third month of her 36-month FoodShare certification period, she reports that she was hospitalized last month and now has a $1,300 obligation for a hospital bill. Edith and her IM worker agree that this bill will be averaged over the remaining months in Edith’s FoodShare certification. Edith’s IM worker explains that to receive the deduction for this new medical expense, verification is required. If verification is not provided, only the $200 deduction is allowed. |
| Example 8 | Violet, a disabled FoodShare member, is eligible for home and community-based waivers as a Group B participant. At application, Violet reports and provides proof of a recurring monthly medical expense for FoodShare. In the fifth month of her certification period, Violet’s IM worker receives notice from the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of a medical/remedial cost for her Group B Waiver cost share calculation. For FoodShare purposes, this information is not considered verified upon receipt and is unclear. If the care manager had provided verification of the medical/remedial expense, the information could be used as a FoodShare expense at the time the change was reported. When clear and verified, the new expense amount is allowed as a medical expense and is used in the benefit calculation. |
7 CFR 273.2(f)(8)(i)(A)
Verification at Renewal
Previously unreported medical expenses, changes in total recurring medical expenses by more than $25, and questionable information must be verified at renewal.
| Example 10 |
Sally reports and provides proof of a $150 recurring monthly prescription medical expense at her FoodShare application. At her renewal, she states that this monthly expense continues but that it has increased by $10. Her case is updated with the expense and does not require verification. |
Examples of applicant or member statements that may be considered questionable include:
If questionable, verification must be requested, which may include date of service, billing date, amount owed, and date amount is due.
Medical expenses are budgeted prospectively, so do not require eligible EBD food unit members to verify recurring medical expenses monthly. Rely on estimates of recurring medical expenses during the certification period. Include changes that can be anticipated based on available information. Consider the food unit member's medical condition, public or private medical insurance coverage, and the current verified medical expenses incurred by the food unit member.
When converting medical expenses to monthly amounts, use the same calculation methods used for budgeting prospective income.
7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(xii)
Verification is required for legal obligation and actual payments made by a member claiming to pay child support to a non-household member. Verification can be obtained from court documents and State Child Support Enforcement agencies.
This page last updated in Release Number: 25-02
Release Date: 08/13/2025
Effective Date: 08/13/2025
Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.
Publication Number: P-16001