Verification Forms

If you think you may be eligible for Food Stamps, you must file an application and be interviewed. At your interview, you will be required to verify several items. Various forms of verification accepted by the Food Stamp Program are listed below. You generally need to provide only one [1] form of verification for each required item.

Identity:

Person making application and any authorized representative that may be applying on your behalf -

• Photo ID
• Driver's License
• U.S.A. Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Card

Residence:

The address you are currently living at -

• Landlord Statement
• Utility Bills
• Current Rent Statement
• Mortgage Book/Records

Household Size:

The number of people currently living with you -

• Landlord Statement
• Two statements from neighbors

Date of Birth:

For all applicants -

• Birth Certificate
• Driver's License
• School Records
• U.S.A. Passport

Social Security Number:

For all applicants -

• Social Security Card
• Letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you have applied for a Social Security Card

INCOME

Wages:

• Current pay stubs for [4] weeks of employment
• Contact with employer stating gross wages for the last [4] weeks

Self-Employment:

• Current income tax recordsv
• Records and related materials concerning earnings and expenses

Child Support:

• Court order of support
• Statement from person paying support

Unemployment Insurance Benefits:

• Current benefit check
• Current award certificate
• Official correspondence from the NYS Department of Labor

Social Security Benefits:

• Current award certificate
• Current benefit check
• Official correspondence from the Social Security Administration

Veteran's Benefits:

• Current award certificate
• Current benefit check
• Official correspondence from the Department of Veterans' Affairs

Worker's Compensation:

• Award letter
• Check stub

RESOURCES

For most households, resources will not be considered when determining Food Stamp program eligibility and these applicants will not need to verify their resources. For those households which must verify their resources:

Bank Accounts/Credit Union Accounts:

• Current bank records
• Current credit union records

IRA or other Retirement Accounts:

• Current bank records stating value, accessibility and penalty if accessed

SHELTER EXPENSES

Rent:

• Current rent receipt
• Current lease
• Landlord statement

Heat and Utility Expenses:

• Fuel bills
• Non-heating utility bills
• Telephone bills

Own Home:

• Mortgage book/records
• Escrow analysis statement
• Property and school tax records

Dependent Care Costs:

• Statement from day care center or other child care provider
• Receipts from day care provider

Child Support Payments:

• Court order
• Garnished pay stubs

School Attendance for Students Age 16 and Older:

• School records or letter from school