303.05 How to Verify Residence SR 10-23 Dated 10/10

Verify the individual’s New Hampshire residence using any document that reasonably establishes an address. Individuals do not need to have a fixed living address as long as their New Hampshire residency can be verified. Addresses such as post office boxes, rural route addresses, or general delivery addresses cannot establish New Hampshire residency.

Exception: A homeless household must not be denied food stamps because residency cannot be verified.

An individual is considered to be homeless if:

• in the past 7 days, the individual has stayed in:

- an emergency shelter or transitional housing program;

- a hotel or motel paid for by a municipality, charity, or other community service; or

- an abandoned building, place of business, car or other vehicle, or anywhere outside; or

• the individual has a fixed place to stay, whether it is their own or someone else’s place, but the individual:

- cannot stay there for at least 90 days without being evicted or asked to leave; and

- has no alternative sleeping arrangements that will last longer than 90 days.

Documenting the Address of Homeless Households in New HEIGHTS

For individuals or households that are considered homeless, do the following when entering the residential address into New HEIGHTS:

• Enter "homeless" as the residential address;

• Enter the DO’s mailing address for the individual’s or household’s mailing address; and

• Enter the DO’s name into the "Care Of" field.

The individual or household is responsible for retrieving their mail at the DO until the individual or household provides another mailing address.

References: 7 CFR 271.2 (Definition of “Homeless Individual”), 7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(vi), 7 CFR 273.3(a), 7 USC 2012(l)