10-144-301 Me. Code R. § 100-FS 111-3

Current through 2024-51, December 18, 2024

Section 144-301-100-FS 111-3 - Residence and Identity

1.GENERAL RULE

A household must be living in the State. Verification of identity and residence is required. Persons in the State solely for vacation, i.e., who intend to return to their home in another state within 30 days, shall not be considered residents. Residing in a permanent dwelling or having a mailing address is not required. Persons in correctional facilities must be in a state or county correctional facility within Maine, and intend to remain in Maine indefinitely upon release.

NOTE: When applying the "residence" rule, understand that the individual must be able to be considered a resident, for SNAP purposes, somewhere in the United States. If one or more other states refuse to consider the individual a resident of such state because the individual was or is present in Maine, consider the individual to be a resident of Maine.

EXCEPTIONS:

A. EXPEDITED SERVICE - Postpone verification of residence if it would delay processing.

B. INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS - Do not require verification of residence.

2.USE OF DESIGNATED ADDRESS

When an applicant or recipient verifies that they are a certified participant in the Address Confidentiality Program, Department staff will accept the designated address as a program participant's address when creating a SNAP record, unless Maine's Secretary of State has determined that-

A. The Department has a bona fide statutory or administrative requirement for the use of the program participant's address or mailing address, such that it is unable to fulfill its statutory duties and obligations without the residential address; and B. The program participant's address or mailing address will be used only for those statutory and administrative purposes. These purposes may include situations involving caseload distribution, work registration requirements, and Quality Control reviews.

3.PROCEDURE

A. Responsibilities of the Household-

(1) Verify Maine residence and identity with rent and mortgage receipts, utility bills, tax receipts, driver's license, etc.

(2) If no documents are available, provide the name and address of at least one collateral contact.

B. Responsibilities of the Department-

(1) Evaluate verification.

(2) Request additional information when verification is questionable.

(3) Document the case file.

10-144 C.M.R. ch. 301, § 100-FS 111-3