IM-78 November 28, 2016; IM-29 March 19, 2012; IM-23 April 18, 2011; IM-103 October 4, 2004
Verify the identity of the person applying for benefits. When an authorized representative applies on behalf of an eligibility unit (EU), verify the identity of both the authorized representative and the head of the EU. The same verification resources used to verify the identity of the head of the ES apply to the authorized representative. Do not use Puerto Rican birth certificates, issued prior to October 1, 2010, to verify identity.
Identity must be verified prior to expediting an application. When an application is submitted and appears to be eligible for expedited benefits, verify the EU’s identity as quickly as possible to meet the seven (7) day timeframe to issue benefits.
Identity verification is recorded on the Application Detail (FM13) screen. Record a comment on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL/FM3Z) screen regarding how identity is verified.