Page 15 - Ohio

Proof of Eligibility:
Guidelines and Examples

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
o Benefit Letter issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) with the consumer’s
name, date, claim number, and payment amount
▪ USAC understands that consumers may request a beneficial verification letter
via my Social Security account. This letter may also be referred to as “my Social
Security Benefit Verification Letter,” a “budget letter,” a “proof of income
letter,” or a “proof of award letter.”
▪ To be acceptable, documentation must show supplemental security income
payments, not Social Security benefits.
o Notice of Award issued by the SSA with the consumer’s name, award date, claim
number, payment amount, and term dates
o Benefit Summary letter issued by the SSA with the consumer’s name, date, claim
number, description of payment assistance, and term date
o Notice of Change in Payment issued by the SSA with the consumer’s name, date, claim
number, description of change in payment assistance, and effective date
• Veterans Pension and Survivor's Benefit
o Pension Grant letter issued by Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) with the
consumer’s name, address, benefit information or entitlement amount, and effective
date
o Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) letter issued by VBA with the consumer’s name,
address, benefit information or assistance amount, and effective date
o Survivors Benefit Summary letter issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
with the consumer’s name, address, description of benefit, and effective date
o Survivors Pension COLA issued by the VA with the consumer’s name, address, benefit
information or assistance amount, and effective date
• Tribal Program Documentation
o Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance (BIA)
o Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)
o Tribal Head Start (only those households meeting its income qualifying standard)
o Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)

Qualifying Through Child or Dependent:

• Consumers who are applying to Lifeline because their child or dependent is a Benefit Qualifying
Person (BQP) or is participating in a Lifeline qualifying program, should ensure documentation
provides information to complete all NLAD fields. A new validation, as of September 2017,
requires information for all BQP fields in NLAD.

Low Income Eligibility Guidelines and Acceptable Income Statements/Documents are listed below:

• Ohio Specific Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
• Most recent wage and tax statement or W-2
• Prior year’s personal tax return or Form 1040 with the consumers’ name and address
• Employer paycheck or pay stubs with the consumer’s name, address, and payment amount
• Benefit or statement letter issued by the SSA with the consumer’s name, address, claim number,
income, and effective date

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Proprietary and Confidential 1/20/2020