Household Cooperation

Basic Requirements [63-505.1]

To determine eligibility, a responsible household member (including an excluded household member), or an authorized representative must:

• Complete and sign the application form.
• Be interviewed.
• Provide required verification.

Important: Verification of deductions is not required to determine eligibility, unless the household is not CE and fails to pass the Gross or Net Monthly Income tests without the unverified deductions.

Gathering Verifications

Gathering evidence to support factors of eligibility is a joint responsibility of both the applicant and the EW/County.

• The EW informs the applicant of what evidence is needed, why it is needed, and how it will be used.
• The applicant must cooperate, to the fullest extent possible, with the County.
• The EW must assist in obtaining necessary verifications when it isn't possible for the applicant to do so.

Refusal to Cooperate

If the responsible household member, including excluded household members, REFUSES (not fails) to cooperate, deny the application.

• Failure to cooperate decisions must be made on a case-by-case basis. The household must have been able to cooperate and clearly demonstrated that it chose not to.
• If there is any question as to whether the household has merely “failed” to cooperate, rather than “refused” to cooperate, the household's application must not be denied.

Related Topics

Applicant Interview Requirements