SNAP ALERT: DOR/DTA wage matches and case terminations

We have previously shared information with the SNAP Coalition about DTA's wage match system with the Department of Revenue. If your client gets a wage match notice from DTA--called a DOR Employment Verification Notice (see attached)--and does not send in the information requested, the SNAP case automatically closes. We have seen many DTA benefits cases where the employer/wage match information is simply wrong or is not relevant to eligibility - but DTA's new automated process puts the burden on the client to clear up or resolve the match. Until the wage information is "resolved" DTA is now refusing to reopen or approve benefits.  

Please call or email Vicky Negus if you have clients who got a notice like the one attached--especially if:

1. Your client previously reported earnings from this employer to DTA OR previously provided proof of termination/separation from the employer
2. Your client never worked for the employer or has not worked for the employer for a long time
3. The start date on the notice is incorrect
4. The income on the notice is non countable income
5. The client doesn't understand the notice and does not know what to do to fix their case

REMINDER: DTA is also denying semi-annual reporting households with outstanding wage matches at interim report or recertification. Semi-annual reporting households (also called interim/annual reporting or simplified reporting) are households with a history of earnings and homeless households. DTA case managers generally cannot approve interim reports or recertifications (without supervisor/manager override) until any outstanding wage matches--along with any other outstanding data matches--are resolved. Please let us know about problems with these cases as well--including cases where the client is told to provide proof of termination from a job during the 6-month reporting period.

Please contact Vicky Negus at MLRI, (617) 357-0700 x315 or vnegus@mlri.org if you have clients who get wage match notices or whose case is closed because of a wage match.