Program Verifications: What information you need to provide

Find out what documents or information you will need to provide to DTA to complete an application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), or Emergency Assistance to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC).

As part of the application process for DTA programs, you need to verify information about yourself and your household members. The more verifications you submit with your application, the sooner DTA can decide if you are eligible.

Below are the most common examples of verifications for each of our programs.

Some information you provide can satisfy multiple verification requirements for each program.  For example, if you provide your lease, that can verify your shelter expense, Massachusetts residency, and who you live with.

If there is other information that we need you to verify, we will send you a list of what you need to provide after your interview. The list will tell you when you need to submit the information by. You can send us your documents in many ways.

If you are having trouble or if you have any questions, let us know.

Required SNAP Verifications

You must provide us with the following information, if it applies to you or your household, in order to complete the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process: 

• Identity
  • We need this information for the head of household. We can generally verify this for you if you give us your Social Security Number (SSN) and it is verified through our match with the Social Security Administration (SSA) or the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) match.
  • You can also verify your identity by providing a driver's license, state ID, birth certificate, or other document showing who you are.
     
• Social Security Number (SSN) if you have one
  • We need this information for everyone who is applying for SNAP benefits. We can generally verify this for you if you give us your SSN and it is verified through our match with the SSA. If a household member does not have a SSN at the time of application, they may still apply for SNAP benefits.
     
• Proof of Massachusetts residency
  • Massachusetts driver's license or state ID
  • Rent receipt
  • Lease or utility bill
  • We can also verify this for you through the RMV match.
• Income and number of hours worked for all household members
  • Pay stubs
  • Letter from employer showing gross income and number of hours worked
     
• Other income for all household members
  • If you get workers’ compensation, Veterans’ benefits, pension, child support, alimony, etc.
  • Benefit or award letter
  • Check or record of payment​​​

If you receive income from Social Security Administration (SSA), unemployment income through DUA, or child support through the Department of Revenue (DOR), let us know.

• Noncitizen status (if that individual is applying)
  • A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a “green card”)
  • A copy of your Employment Authorization Card
  • Copies of other documents showing current or pending immigration status
     

Ready to submit verifications? See how to submit documents to DTA. 

Optional SNAP Verifications

Providing verification of these additional verifications may make you eligible for more SNAP benefits.   

• Housing costs
  • Rent receipt, lease, or letter from your landlord
    • If you are not the primary tenant or the homeowner, provide a statement from the person you live with stating what your share of the shelter and utility expenses are.
  • Mortgage statement, property tax, condo fees, home insurance bill
  • Other documentation showing how much you pay for housing
     
• Utility costs
  • Bill for heat, air conditioning, electricity, gas or phone
  • Bill for other utility costs such as coal, wood for heating, garbage collection, water and sewer
  • Lease showing you pay for utilities
  • Letter from your landlord or roommate (if you are not the primary tenant).
     
• Dependent care costs (child or adult day care costs)
  • Statement or letter from provider showing the amount that you are responsible for
  • Receipts, canceled check, or money order
  • If you drive the person to and from the dependent care provider:
    • Statement or self-declaration stating the address of the provider and how often you drive to and from this provider.
  • If you pay for any other transportation costs to bring the person to the dependent care provider:
    • Parking or tolls receipts
    • Statement or receipts from a transportation company (e.g., Lyft, Uber) or for public transportation (e.g., bus, subway, taxi, The RIDE). 
       
• Medical costs (if you have a disability or are aged 60 or older)
  • Bills or receipts for medical costs not covered by insurance, such as co-payments, prescription medication, dental care, eyeglasses, over-the-counter medical items, etc.
  • Payments for homemakers, home health aides, or other care you need
  • If you drive to your medical appointments and/or the pharmacy:
    • Provide a statement or self-declaration stating the address of the provider/pharmacy and the number of trips you take each week or month. 

Learn more about eligible medical costs, examples of eligible expenses, and how to tell DTA about these costs by clicking here.
 

• Child support payments
  • Documents showing a legal obligation to pay child support (like a court order) to someone outside of your household, AND
  • Verification of payment
     
• SNAP Work Rules Exemptions and Participation Verification
  • Some people who receive SNAP have to meet either the General Work Rules, the Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Rules or both.  Please see Work Rules for SNAP Clients for more information about who is subject to these rules, the ways you can verify participation, and how to verify any exemptions you may have. 

Ready to submit verifications? See how to submit documents to DTA.

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Required TAFDC Verifications

You must show us the following information, if it applies to you or your household, in order to complete the Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) application process.

• Identity and Social Security Number (SSN)
  We can generally verify this for you if you give us your SSN.
   
• Proof of Massachusetts residency
  • Rent receipt, copy of your lease, a utility bill
  • Deed or mortgage statement
     
• Income and number of hours worked
  • Pay stubs
  • Letter from employer showing gross income and number of hours worked
     
• Other income
  If you get workers' compensation, Veterans benefits, child support, alimony, etc.
  • Benefit or award letter
  • Check or record of payment
     
• Noncitizen status
  • A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a "green card")
  • A copy of your Employment Authorization Card
  • Copies of other documents showing current or pending immigration status
     
• Information on household members
  • Foster care placements
  • Children under your guardianship or in your custody
  • Who you live with
  • Who has moved out of your household
  • If you are pregnant
     
• Relationships
  • Birth certificate or adoption papers
  • Marriage certificate
  • Other records showing relationship
  • Information about any absent parents

Required EAEDC Verifications

You must provide the following information, if it applies to you or your household, in order to complete the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) application process.

• Identity and Social Security Number (SSN)
  We can generally verify this for you if you give us your SSN.
   
• Proof of Massachusetts residency
  • Rent receipt, copy of your lease, a utility bill
  • Deed or mortgage statement
     
• Income and number of hours worked
  • Pay stubs
  • Letter from employer showing gross income and number of hours worked
     
• Other income
  If you get workers' compensation, Veterans benefits, child support, alimony, etc.
  • Benefit or award letter
  • Check or record of payment
     
• Noncitizen status
  • A copy of your Permanent Resident Card (also known as a "green card")
  • A copy of your Employment Authorization Card
  • Copies of other documents showing current or pending immigration status
     

• Medical information

  • Proof of disability and/or physical or mental health problem
  • Participation in a Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
  • Medical provider statement