Skip to main content

To continue the verification process subsequent to household notification, the SFA must either determine:

  • If the household has submitted adequate information to complete its individual verification activity; or
  • If follow-up with the household is needed.

Following Up with Households

SFAs must make at least one attempt to contact the household when the household does not adequately respond to the request for verification. The required follow up can be done in writing (letter or e-mail), or by telephone or text message. The SFA must document that contact was attempted and ensure the LEP households are provided adequate language assistance and understand the need to respond to the verification request.  Please see the “Non-Responders” section for steps to take if a family does not respond to verification.

The SFA must make a follow-up attempt when the household:

  • Does not respond to the initial request for verification
  • Submits insufficient or obsolete written evidence
  • Does not designate collateral contacts
  • Collateral contacts are unable or unwilling to provide the requested evidence

When following up with households, the SFA:

  • Must inform the household that failure to provide adequate written evidence or to designate an adequate collateral contact will result in termination of benefits
  • Must attempt to obtain the missing written evidence or collateral contact information
  • Must contact the household to complete the verification process, if the collateral contact is unwilling or unable to provide the requested information

SFAs are encouraged but not required to do additional follow-up attempts if a household fails to provide adequate documentation after the required follow-up. If the household does not respond or fails to provide adequate documentation after the required follow-up and, if applicable, additional follow-ups, verification is considered complete for the household when notice of adverse action is sent.

Last updated
September 22, 2023

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Click here for Nondiscrimination Statement translations.

Top