Proof of Identity, Social Security Number, and Residency (Address)

Note: Every household member must provide proof of identity, social security number, and address.

Some of the documents can have dual or even triple purposes. For instance, the I-551 Alien Registration Card (Green Card) can verify identity, age, and immigration status; electric bill can verify client’s address and utility expenses, or Social Security award letter can verify client’s address, income, social security number, and sometimes un-reimbursed medical expenses.

Proof of Identity:

1. Birth/Hospital Certificate
2. Birth Certificate Bureau of Vital Statistics
3. US Passport
4. Valid Driver License
5. Valid photo ID (any source)
6. Baptismal Certificate
7. Voter Registration Card
8. Medicaid Card
9. Medicare Card
10. Certificate of Citizenship
11. Foreign Passport

Proof of Social Security Number:

Note: A physical copy of each social security number is recommended but not required as long as the social security numbers are provided for each household member.

1. Social Security Card
2. SSA Letter
3.  Tax Records
4. Medicare Card

Proof of Residency

Note: Proof of address is required for every household member. Information must be recent (not older than 2 months, except for a current lease)

1. Current School Letter with Current Address
2. Clinic Card/Immunization Record with Current Address
3. Recent Letter from the Doctor/Clinic
4. Current lease, rent receipt, mortgage statement, or maintenance receipt
5. Electric/Gas/Water/Telephone Bill
6. Current Mail with current address
7. Landlord Letter/Notice
8. Statement from another person

Proof of Immigration Status

Note: Many immigrants are potentially eligible for SNAP benefits33. To determine their eligibility, immigrants must provide one of the following documents supporting his/her immigration status.

1. Alien Registration Card (Form I-551, also known as “Green Card”)
2. I-551 Visa in Foreign Passport
3. Arrival/Departure Record (Form I -94, also known as “White Card”)
4. Stamp in Foreign Passport
5. Employment Authorization Card (Form I-766)
6. Order from Immigration Judge
7. Asylum Approval Letter
8. Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571)
9. Naturalization Certificate

Information Related to Income, Shelter, and Utilities

Note: Information related to income, shelter, and utility expenses is necessary to determine eligibility and benefit level. All information must be current.

Income related Information:

1. Income from Employment
   1. Recent paystubs (last 4 weeks)
   2. Employer letter
   3. Tax-return/W-2 form
   4. Self-declaration of income
2. Income from Self-Employment
   1. Quarterly Estimated Tax
   2. Tax Return
   3. W-2 Form
   4. Records related to earnings and expenses
   5. Current receipt/statement from boarder/lodger
3. Unearned income
   1. SSA Award Letter/Check (SSI, SSD, Retirement, Survivors Benefits)
   2. Private Pension/Annuity Award Letter/Check
   3. Worker’s Compensation Award
   4. Letter/Check
   5. VA Benefits Statement/Check
   6. Proof of child support received (e.g. child support check, statement from Family Court, official correspondence)
   7. Statement of contribution
   8. NYC Disability Statement
   9. Statement from Boarder/Lodger
   10. Unemployment Benefits Award Certificate or Check
   11. Interest/Dividends Statement from the bank
   12. Adoption/Foster Care Subsidy Statement

Income related Information:

Note: Information about shelter and/or utility expenses34 plays a key role in determining SNAP benefit levels. Depending upon housing arrangements, the applicant can use the following documentation:

1. Shelter related information:
   1. Rent receipt
   2. Lease
   3. Landlord Letter
   4. Mortgage statement/receipt
   5. Maintenance receipt
   6. Letter seeking contribution for rent arrears
   7. Property Tax statement
   8. Tax Bill showing ownership of house
   9. NYCHA rent book/ letter from housing
   10. Section 8 Verification
   11. Hotel receipt
   12. Request for Emergency Assistance (Form W-145N)
   13. Letter of rent sharing arrangements
2. Utility related Information:
   1. Gas/Electric bill (Con Edison, etc.)
   2. Proof of air conditioning expense
   3. Water bill.
   4. Garbage disposable bill
   5. Utility shut-off notice
   6. Sewage bill

Verification of Other Relevant Information

Child Support Related Expenses:

Note: If the applicant pays court-ordered child support, s/he might qualify for a higher SNAP benefit level. The documents below can be used to verify this information:

1. Proof of Payment of Legally Obligated Child Support
2. Statement from Family Court
3. Child Support Check/Copy or Money Order

Child Care/Dependent Care Related Expenses:

Note: If an applicant incurs unreimbursed child care/dependent care costs, providing proof of such expenses might help to increase the SNAP allotment. The following documents can be used to verify this information:

1. Child Care provider letter/receipt
2. Child Care provider form (Form W-273B)
3. Application for child- only PA Child case
4. Documents verifying need for emergency childcare payments

Medical Bills

Note: Providing records of un-reimbursed medical expenses can help a senior and/or disabled applicant to receive a higher SNAP benefit level.

1. Copies of medical bills (paid or unpaid)
2. Copies of bills from Home Health Aide or Attendant
3. Car services receipt
4. Pharmacy print – out

Education or Training Related Information:

Note: SNAP centers require one of the following documents to ensure that the applicant complies with student eligibility or is exempt from the work requirements:

1. Tuition Bill
2. Informal Degree Audit
3. Letter from the Bursar’s Office or Financial Aid Office
4. Letter from the Work Study Office or Coordinator.

Proof of Illness or Temporary Disability:

Note: This information is needed to qualify for an exemption from work requirements, including Able- Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWDs)

1. Statement from medical professional verifying unfitness for work activities
2. Statement from medical professional verifying pregnancy
3. Certificate from Commission from the Blind
4. Proof of participation in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehab program
5. Disability Certificate from NYS/NYC Review
6. SSI Award letter
7. Proof of pending SSI application
8. Statement from Home/Health Care Attendant or organization, such as a Managed Long-Term Care Organization

Resources

Note: Although in most cases proof of resources is no longer a requirement, HRA may request documents to verify the household’s available resources in the following situations:

1. To determine applicant’s eligibility for expedited SNAP
2. When it is determined that an applicant is categorically ineligible36
3. To check interest or dividends (if client has income from bank savings or assets) The following resource related documents might be requested by the SNAP center:
   1. Bank statements
   2. Bonds/Stocks certificates
   3. Statements from financial institution
   4. Life insurance policy statement
   5. Burial trust or fund
   6. IRA and Keogh records
   7. Records of real estate other than residence (statement from real estate broker, appraisal of current value by broker)