99. What proofs do you need?

A DTA intake worker will interview you and is supposed to help you with your application. In most cases, the interview will be by telephone. You can request that the interview be held using Zoom. DTA Online Guide (Connecting Clients to Virtual Meetings). You can insist on an in-person interview if that is better for you.

Your worker will give you a list of what you need to prove. 106 C.M.R. §§ 702.120, 702.125. You may have to do job search and provide proof of job search to get approved for benefits. See Question 102.

If you do not have everything, give what you have. In many cases, you can sign a sworn statement to prove something. You can also sign a form letting your worker contact someone else to get the proof. 106 C.M.R. § 702.340; Appendix E (DTA Online Guide)

Some information is available to DTA in a database that DTA can access. If DTA can get the information from a database, it should not require you to provide the proof. DTA Operations Memo 2013-47 (Sept. 5, 2013). For example, DTA can get wage information for some jobs through a service called “The Work Number.” Appendix E DTA Online Guide (The Work Number); DTA Operations Memo 2013-33 (July 19, 2013). If the Work Number information is not correct, you can ask DTA to contact your employer.

Things you might be asked to give DTA are

  • proof of who you are (for example, your driver’s license, birth certificate, voter registration verification),
  • social security numbers for everyone in your family (except for ineligible noncitizens) or proof that you have applied for their social security numbers,
  • proof that your children are related to you and how old they are (for example, birth certificates, school records, a statement from someone who knows you and them),
  • proof of your immigration status if you are not a citizen and you are requesting benefits (see Question 8),
  • proof of who lives in your household,
  • proof of your income (for example, pay stubs or a government benefit award letter),
  • proof that you applied for unemployment compensation (you can apply on-line and DTA can confirm you applied by checking the unemployment computer system),
  • proof you applied for Paid Family and Medical Leave if you stopped working because of your own health condition, to care for a relative, or because of the birth, foster care placement or adoption of a child,
  • proof of where you live (for example, a landlord’s statement or utility records) unless you are homeless (see Question 7), and
  • proof you have housing expenses - to qualify for the rent or mortgage allowance (a statement from you or another person or a lease, rent receipt, mortgage or statement from a landlord).

There are many other proofs that DTA can ask for in a particular case. Do the best you can to get them, but if you cannot get them, ask for help from the worker and ask if you can verify the information by signing a statement. Your worker is supposed to help you get required proof when your worker has been told or is otherwise aware that you need help. See 106 C.M.R. § 702.310(B); DTA Operations Memos 2013-47 (Sept. 5, 2013); 2010-55 (Nov. 23, 2010).

If you need more time to get proofs, you can get an extension. If you have trouble, contact your local legal services program, Appendix D, for help.


Advocacy Reminders

  • If DTA schedules your appointment for a time that is bad for you, you can reschedule.
  • DTA may ask you to provide proof of citizenship for all citizen members of your household. Proof of citizenship is not required for TAFDC unless it is questionable, but it may be required for MassHealth so you should provide it to DTA if you can. Your TAFDC application should not be delayed or denied pending DTA’s receipt of proof of citizenship. DTA Field Operations Memo 2007-10 (Feb. 20, 2007).
  • Some information does not change and only needs to be verified once, unless there is reason to think that it was wrong originally or has changed. For example, you should not need to re-verify your date of birth or your relationship to your children if you verified this information before. DTA Operations Memo 2010-55 (Nov. 23, 2010).
  • If DTA thinks you might be eligible for Paid Family and Medical Leave, DTA will require proof you applied. See Appendix E (DTA Online Guide). Contact your local legal services office, Appendix D, if this is a problem for you.
  • A single document can sometimes prove more than one eligibility factor. For example, a rent receipt can prove where you live and that you have rent expenses. DTA Operations Memo 2012-8 (Feb. 6, 2012).
  • DTA will accept documents that are scanned, faxed or photocopied from the original unless the document appears questionable. DTA Operations Memo 2012-33 (July 11, 2012).
  • DTA should send you a list of any proofs you are missing. DTA should give you time to provide the proofs. Operations Memo 2012-17 (Apr. 25, 2012).
98. How do you apply for TAFDC?
100. How should you send your proofs?