3335 Identity

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
SNAP Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Identity

Effective Date:

June 2026

Chapter:

3300

Policy Number:

3335

Previous MT Number(s):

MT-82

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-87

​Codes and References

7 CFR § 273.2(f)(1)(vii)

​Requirements

The identity of a person applying for SNAP benefits must be verified.

​Basic Considerations

When an authorized representative (AREP) applies on behalf of the assistance unit (AU), both identities, the applicant and the AREP, must be verified.

​Verification

Verify identity through documents or a collateral contact that can reasonably establish identity. The following list contains suggested third-party sources that may be used to verify identity:

  • birth certificate

  • driver’s license

  • Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) interface if the results from the interface verify that the customer has a current and valid Georgia Driver’s License or Identification card

  • ID for health benefits or another assistance or social services program

  • voter registration card

  • wage stubs

  • work or school ID

This is not an all-inclusive list.

Any document that reasonably establishes identity must be accepted. No requirement for a specific type of document, such as a birth certificate, may be imposed.

If an A/R cannot provide verification, verify identity through readily available documentary evidence or through a collateral contact.

If the customer provides identity verification that is fraudulent and/or appears to be altered, the worker should contact the customer to explain the concern and ask that the person provide acceptable identity verification. If the customer does not, then the case can be denied as “verification not returned” since the household has failed to verify the true identity of the applicant. The eligibility specialist should then submit a request for a case review to OIG. Staff should NOT approve the case based on questionable and/or fraudulent identity documents.

Collateral contacts should not be allowed in suspected fraudulent cases. The State agency is not required to use a collateral contact designated by the household if the collateral contact cannot be expected to provide accurate third-party verification.

Assist the applicant in obtaining verification if requested.