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Glossary

National Verifier

A system the federal government uses to check that you meet the income and other rules for benefits programs.

When you apply for certain benefits, the National Verifier helps confirm information about your income, household and other facts. It connects to tax records and other government data to verify what you've told the program.

The National Verifier is used for programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and others. Some states use it more than others.

You don't apply to the National Verifier itself—you apply to the benefit program you want. The program uses the National Verifier as one tool to check your eligibility. Applying is always free, and only the program agency decides if you qualify.

Programs where this matters

LIHEAPHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesLIHEAP helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills, and may help in an energy crisis such as a shut-off notice.MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.WICUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceWIC gives healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children with low income.CHIPCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesCHIP gives low-cost health coverage to uninsured children in families that earn too much for Medicaid.Child Care AidHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesChild care assistance helps families with low income pay for child care so parents can work, look for work, or go to school or training.TANFHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesTANF gives cash help and support services to families with children who have low income. Each state runs its own program.WeatherizationUS Department of EnergyThe Weatherization Assistance Program makes free energy-saving home improvements, like insulation and heating repairs, for households with low income.