Verification of Shelter Costs and Utility Expenses in Food Stamps

Pursuant to federal law, CDSS has chosen to permit counties flexibility in verification of certain shelter costs. Effective January 1, 2000, counties are no longer required to routinely verify all shelter costs. Those counties that choose the option of not verifying all shelter costs must continue to verify utility expenses when the household wishes to claim its actual utility expense is in excess of the standard utility allowance. These counties must also verify questionable claims.