During your interview, the DTA worker should tell you what proofs are needed. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.550, 361.600. In addition, you will receive a verification checklist by mail that tells you the specific and alternate proofs you can provide. DTA should not ask you to resend proofs you sent with your application. If you are eligible for expedited benefits, you only need to provide proof of your identity. See Question 9 (Can I get emergency SNAP benefits?).

If you do not have all the proofs when you apply, give DTA photocopies of what you do have. You do not need to provide original documents. If you mail or fax documents, be sure to put your name and date of birth, or last four digits of your SSN on each document so it can be matched with your file. Don't mail original documents! If you bring documents to DTA, be sure DTA gives you a receipt, makes copies, and gives you back your originals. If you send a fax, keep a copy of the fax receipt.

DTA cannot limit proofs to any single type of document and cannot require verification from any particular person. In many cases, you can sign a sworn statement (self-declaration) as proof, or give DTA permission to contact someone who can verify the information. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.640, 361.650, 363.210(G). See Question 8 (What if I am having trouble getting all the proofs, or the proofs get to DTA late?) for what you can do if you don't have all the proofs the worker says you need.

Required proofs for SNAP eligibility

• Proof of the identity of the head of household— for example, your birth certificate, driver's license, an I.D. for health benefits or other social service program, or wage stubs. If you don't have any of these, DTA can verify your identity by confirming your SSN through a database, or your DTA worker can place a call to a third party who knows you. See Question 8 (What if I am having trouble getting all the proofs, or the proofs get to DTA late?)
  Note: Only the identity of the head of the household needs to be verified. You do not need to verify the identity of children or other adults in the household unless their identity is questionable, but you do need to provide their dates of birth and social security numbers if they have them. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(G). See Questions 25-28 for more information about immigration status and applying for SNAP.
• Proof of where you live— for example, a lease, rent receipt, bank statement, a utility bill, a note from a neighbor, or a collateral contact (such as a telephone call by DTA to your landlord) that shows where you live. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(H). These are optional proofs. Your worker cannot require you to get a DTA "landlord verification form" signed. Any other proof of your residence is acceptable. Note that you do not need proof of residency if you just came to the area, if you are homeless or if you are a migrant worker. 106 C.M.R. § 362.120. 
• Proof of earned income— such as copies of wage stubs (usually the last four weeks, unless you just started working), direct deposit bank statements, or a statement from your employer about your earnings. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.610(A), 363.210(G)(1).
• Proof of unearned income— such as a copy of a benefit or award letter, copy of a check or payment, bank statement showing direct deposit. 106 C.M.R. § 363.210(G)(2). DTA can also check certain government databases (such as the Social Security Administration SDX system, Division of Unemployment Assistance system) for information on many sources of unearned income.
• Proof of self-employment business income and expenses— for example, the purchase of a computer, cosmetology equipment, farm equipment, a truck to haul materials or carry tools, fishing boat or other equipment; rental fees if you drive a van or taxi; insurance costs; the cost of heating your office or part of your home used for your business; the cost of food and toys if you run a day-care center at home, etc. 106 C.M.R. § 365.940. See Question 46 (How is self-employment income counted?).
• If you are subject to the asset test, DTA will need proof of your money in the bank, stocks and bonds, real estate, etc. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(E). Most households do not need to prove assets unless under sanction or if they are elder/disabled households with gross income over 200% of the poverty level. See Question 42 (When do assets count?).
• Proof of the immigration status of anyone in your household who is not a U.S. citizen and who wishes to receive benefits with the rest of the household. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(B). Proof includes a copy of your legal permanent resident "green card" (Form I-551) if you are an LPR, your work authorization documents (Form I-688), arrival departure (Form I-94), records of any other government proof or statement from an attorney that shows your immigration status. See Question 21 (Am I eligible if I am a legal immigrant?). DTA will verify your status through the SAVE system.
  Note: If you or someone in your household does not meet the immigration status rules or chooses to "opt out" of the application, you do not need to verify immigration status. Even if a household member is not participating in your SNAP household due to immigration status, you will have to report that person's income. See Question 25 (Can my children get benefits if I am an ineligible immigrant?).
• The social security numbers (SSNs) of those persons in your household who are applying for SNAP benefits. You do not need to show an SSN card or any other document with your SSN, but you do have to give DTA the number orally or write it down. DTA will verify the number through its government databases. If you are applying for benefits for yourself and do not have an SSN, you need proof that you have applied for one at SSA. If someone in your household does not have or provide a SSN for the application, the other members of the household can still get benefits,  but everyone's income may be counted. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.610(F), 362.500. See Question 25 (Can my children get benefits if I am an ineligible immigrant?).
• You may have to give other proofs relevant to your eligibility if DTA determines that the information you gave is "questionable." 106 C.M.R. § 361.620. Question 8 (What if I am having trouble getting all the proofs, or the proofs get to DTA late?) describes when information can be considered "questionable" by DTA.

Optional Information and Proofs to Increase SNAP Benefits

Some expenses that may make you eligible for a higher SNAP benefit can be self-declared, unless the information you provide is questionable. For other expenses and eligibility factors you must show proof to get higher benefits. If you do not provide information on the expenses, or proofs where required, your benefits will be calculated without these deductions. 106 C.M.R. § 364.450(D).

• Self-declaration of shelter costs. You can write down your rent, home-ownership costs, and utility expenses on the SNAP application or recertification form, or write a separate statement. (See sample form in Appendix C: Important Advocacy Forms.) If your shelter costs appear questionable (for example, your rent is much higher than your income and you have not explained how you are making ends meet or that you are behind in rent), DTA can ask you for a rent receipt, canceled check, money order, tenancy lease, or a statement from your landlord.
  Home-ownership expenses, if questionable, can be verified by your mortgage statement, home insurance, property tax, and proof of repair costs. See Question 57 (What is the shelter deduction and how does DTA calculate it?). 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.610(K); 364.400(G).
  Note: If you have rental income from your home or other property, you will be asked for proof of homeownership costs to determine the net countable income. See Question 47 (What is unearned income?).
• Self-declaration of child or adult dependent care expenses. This includes what you pay for day care, after-school programs, summer programs, care for an elder/disabled person as well as transportation to and from the care. See Question 55 (What is the child care/dependent care deduction?). Be sure to write down your dependent care costs on your application or recertification form, or a separate statement (see sample in Appendix C: Important Advocacy Forms). If you need to verify child care costs because information appears questionable, proof may include a statement from your caregiver, canceled checks or other proof of payment. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(K).
• Proof of out-of-pocket medical and/or custodial expenses for a household member who is elderly (60 or older) or who has a disability.  See Question 53 (What medical expenses can I claim if I am elderly (60+) or disabled?) for more details on the range of proofs and sample form for medical expenses in Appendix C. 106 C.M.R. § 361.610(D). You may also be asked to prove you get a disability-related benefit if you are not elderly. Proofs can include a statement from the agency that provides the benefit. 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.210, 361.610(I). If you get SSI, SS-DI, you qualify for MassHealth with a disability, or if DTA provides a cash benefit (such as EAEDC or TAFDC) where you have been determined to be severely disabled, you do not need proof. DTA can check your status in BEACON. 
• Proof of child support paid to children outside the household is required including documents showing your legal obligation and the amount you pay, such as a court order or legally enforceable agreement. See Question 54 (What is the child support deduction?). 106 C.M.R. §§ 361.610(J), 364.400(E).