Benefits: Verification Requirements

When you apply for benefits, the agency may need documents to confirm your eligibility. Different programs require different types of verification. Providing what you can when you apply can help avoid delays.

If you don’t have a document, you can share the name of a person or organization that can help verify your information. Your eligibility worker can also help you figure out what’s needed.

What You May Be Asked to Verify

Identity and Residence

You may be asked to provide one or more of the following:

• Driver’s license or state ID
• School, work, library or voter registration card
• Immigration or registration documents (if applicable)
• Social Security cards for everyone on the application
• Birth certificates for children (if applying for financial or medical assistance)
  
  Note: Federal law requires Social Security numbers for everyone listed on your application.

Household Expenses

These help determine deductions and benefit amounts.

• Lease or mortgage agreement, or rent receipts
• Recent utility or phone bills
• Child care expenses
• Expenses for care of elderly or disabled adults
• Medical bills
• Child support payments made by someone in the household

For SNAP applications, if an expense is not reported or verified, it may not be counted as a deduction.

Resources (Assets)

Some programs may ask for information about resources, such as:

• Bank account statements (checking, savings or trust accounts)
• Certificates of deposit, stocks or bonds
• Burial trusts or burial arrangements
• Vehicle registrations or titles (cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles)
• Medical insurance cards or policies
• Life insurance policies that can be cashed in

الدخل

Income verification helps determine eligibility and benefit amounts.

• Recent pay stubs or pay envelopes
• Records of tips, bonuses or commissions
• Divorce decrees or child support orders
• School award letters or budgets for grants or scholarships
• Notices or award letters for:
  • Social Security or SSI
  • Unemployment benefits
  • Veteran’s benefits
  • Pensions or other income sources

Need Help Gathering Documents?

Your eligibility worker will let you know if anything else is needed. If you’re having trouble getting documents, tell your worker—they can help explore other ways to verify your information.

How Your Information Is Used

The information you provide may be reviewed to confirm eligibility. This can include:

• Checking records with employers, financial institutions or medical providers
• Reviewing state and federal records, such as those from the
  Virginia Employment Commission and the Department of Motor Vehicles
• Using your Social Security number to:
  • Verify identity
  • Prevent duplicate benefits
  • Make required program updates

Some information may also be verified through federal systems using records from the
Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

Home visits are not routine and, for SNAP cases, would only occur with advance notice.

You’re Not Expected to Navigate This Alone

Verification is part of the process, but support is available. Asking questions and sharing what you can helps your eligibility worker determine the best next steps.