System Validations
While entering the applicant’s information to the Quest app, the system will perform a set of internal and external validations needed to be in compliance with current Lifeline rules.
What are these rules?
There can only be one Lifeline Benefit
- Per person and
- Per household
The definition of a “household" is anyone living at an address (including children, relatives, people not related to you, etc.) who share income(s) and household expenses.
How does the system validate these rules are in compliance while creating an application for Lifeline benefit?
The Quest App will perform both internal and external validations, in order to confirm that the application will be in compliance with these rules.
The system completes the following validations:
1) Address Validation
2) One per person Validation
3) One per Household Validation
4) Public Records Validation
5) NLAD Validation
Address Validation
In order to create the application, the address entered must be a valid, deliverable physical US address.
The system will check the address entered and complete a “postal address verification”. This is the process used to check the validity and deliverability of a physical mailing address. According to the United States Postal Service, an address is valid (or “mailable”) if it exists within the comprehensive list of “mailable” addresses in their Address Management System.
PO Boxes are not allowed in the main address section.
Address example:
1) Address line 1 is usually composed by
a. Door number
b. Direction. This is not included in all addresses. It can be E, for East for example.
c. Street name. Always use the correct abbreviation. Some examples are:
- ST for street
- AVE for Avenue
- CIR for Circle
- BLVD for Boulevard
- CT for Court
- DR for Drive
2) If needed, an apartment number or unit designator can be added in address line 2. Some
examples:
a. APT for apartment
b. BSMT for basement
c. DEPT for department
d. TRLR for trailer
e. STE for suite
3) Address city. Remember this will be auto filled by the App, based on the Zip Code entered.
4) The State will be added by the system based on the zip code entered.
5) The zip code is the one entered while checking availability.
Sometimes, a simple thing as a misspelling could lead the address validation to fail and the system to request extra documentation to be submitted, when not really necessary. Always check street name spelling and make sure all the address info, such as an apartment number, is included in the information entered.
Invalid address Documents
What happens if the address entered is not valid as per the Address validation?
If the address is not validated by the system, a warning will be displayed to inform the ST agent about this. The warning will let the ST agent know that the address validation failed and that the information entered should be checked (spelling, door number, etc.) to try again.
The ST agent will have to go back by tapping on the Review button. In the case the address validation determines that the address is not valid after a second try, the system will let the ST Agent know that the application can still be created and extra documentation will be needed to complete the enrollment.
What does this mean?
Once the application has been created, the ST Agent will have to submit proof of the customer’s address along with the qualification proof and any other proof requested by the Validations.
Address Proof
What documents can be used as Address Proof?
Besides the documents mentioned in the system suggestion, the following ones are valid for Address proof:
- Driver’s License
- State Issued ID
- Program Approval Letter (for example, SSI letter addressed to the applicant sent to the applicant’s address)
- Lease contract
- Electric bill
Public Records Validation
The Quest App also completes a Public Records validation.
What does this validation do?
Public Records includes information such as Census records, loans, voters’ registration professional and business licenses, etc. The Quest App will run a validation against the Public Records’ database to confirm the information entered in the application is correct and accurate. This validation is performed through a third party validation process.
What happens if the validation provides negative results?
If the Public Records validation gives an invalid result, the system will let the ST Agent know that by showing the following message:
This means that the validation was not able to confirm that all the information entered was accurate. The ST Agent will be able to go back and double-check the info, in case it has any typo. If system still cannot confirm the PII, the Quest App will let the ST Agent know that the application may be completed, but extra documentation will be requested.
What proof is valid for Public Records Validation Documents Request?
The ST Agent should request to the applicant one the following documents:
| DOB | SSN |
| Driver’s license | SSN card |
| Non Driver’s license | State, federal, or Tribal tax return |
| State issued ID | W-2 from within the last 2 years |
| Passport | Military, state, or Tribal issued ID |
| Passport Card | SSA-1099 (Social Security Benefit Statement) |
Dependent’s PII Validation Fail
In the case the application was created on behalf of a child or dependent, the system will run the same validations what were performed with the applicant’s info.
In case there is a Dependent information validation, the Quest App will show the following warning;
If after checking two times, the system is not able to confirm the dependent’s information, extra documentation will be requested.
In the case of the benefit dependent being a minor (under 18 years old), in order to protect the information and to avoid its misuse, the system validation will always request SSN and DOB proof to be uploaded along with the rest of the proof requested by the system.