IM-20 INTRODUCING EXPERIAN VERIFY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri

TO:  ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCING EXPERIAN VERIFY FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP)

MANUAL REVISION #
0110.025.05
0110.060.00
0110.060.05
0110.060.10
0110.060.15
1102.005.05
1102.015.05
1802.030.00
1805.030.05

 

DISCUSSION:

Starting April 2, 2024, Experian Verify is available through a partnership with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to verify earned income information for SNAP-related case actions. While Experian Verify should only be accessed for SNAP purposes, the earned-income verification received can also be used for connected combination cases within the integrated eligibility system. Once verified and used in a determination, the income will become available to be pulled when Get Insights is requested on a MAGI case.

Like other verification of earnings (VOE) services, Experian Verify is available through a user-friendly web portal. If used in an eligibility determination, a copy of the income verification must be added to the participant’s case record. FSD’s Training and Development team has developed a user guide and portal walk through for specific instructions on how to access and complete a participant search in the Experian web portal.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires any notices resulting from a negative action must inform the household that information used was received from a consumer reporting agency and provide contact information for the consumer reporting agency. In FAMIS, this language is generated by using the income verification codes “EC— Electronic Third Party Confirmation” and “ES— Electronic Third Party Statement” on the income screens.

Note: “ES” should be used when the verification from a VOE source does not match the participant’s statement or the participant disagrees with the VOE result and the case must pend for additional verification from the participant.

As Equifax, i.e. the Work Number, is no longer being used, the following updates have been made:

• FAMIS has been updated to reflect:
  • EC—Electronic Third Party Confirmation
  • ES—Electronic Third Party Statement
  • contact information on the notices has been updated to Experian’s National Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013. Phone: 1-888-397-3742.
• The following manual sections have been updated to replace “The Work Number” with “verification of earnings (VOE)”:
  • Verification Requirements Manual (for MO HealthNet & Adult Cash Assistance Programs)
    • 0110.025.05 Earned Income
  • Electronic Verification System (EVS) Manual
    • 0110.060.00 Electronic Verification System (EVS)
    • 0110.060.10 Use of Electronic Verification System Sources
  • SNAP Manual
    • 1102.005.05 Documentary Verification
    • 1102.015.05 Gross Income
  • Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) Manual
    • 1802.030.00 Filer Consent
    • 1805.030.05 Income Evidence
• The following EVS manual sections have been updated to replace “The Work Number” with “Experian Verify”:
  • 0110.060.05 Electronic Verification System Legal Basis
  • 0110.060.15 Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Authorization

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

KE/tl