An adjudicator may only speak directly to the individual whose FTI data was j. Releasing Information received. Speaking with a relative, spouse, or a friend even if the individual Over the who received the income grants permission, is not allowed. Telephone Telephone development is allowed to discuss a need to verify income, in addition to sending a formal claimant’s letter that requests the same verification of income, clarify amounts (gross vs. net), or discuss what types of documents will request for verification of satisfy VA’s current income. IRS reports dividend income of $2,000 per year; however, the Example: claimant did not report dividend income. The adjudicator calls the claimant and the claimant explains that he did not think to include the dividends as he has the dividend payments set up to automatically roll over into his savings account and that the $2,000 is accurate. Since the claimant has confirmed the FTI, the adjudicator can use the call as verification. Adjudicators may not accept a statement taken over the phone as Important: verification of a income if the amount is less than FTI reported by claimant’s IRS and SSA. For information regarding disclosures to Fiduciaries, see M21-1, Reference: Part X, Chapter 9, Section B, Topic 4 or to gain unauthorized access to areas k. Tailgating “Piggybacking” “tailgating” containing FTI is prohibited. Only individuals with a are need to know allowed to access areas containing FTI. Although individuals may have authorized access to areas containing Note: FTI, access to FTI should be limited to a need to know basis. 2. Storing and Handling of FTI
j. Releasing Information Over the Telephone An adjudicator may only speak directly to the individual whose FTI data was received. Speaking with a relative, spouse, or a friend even if the individual who received the income grants permission, is not allowed. Telephone development is allowed to discuss a claimant’s need to verify income, in addition to sending a formal letter that requests the same verification of income, clarify amounts (gross vs. net), or discuss what types of documents will satisfy VA’s request for verification of current income. Example: IRS reports dividend income of $2,000 per year; however, the claimant did not report dividend income. The adjudicator calls the claimant and the claimant explains that he did not think to include the dividends as he has the dividend payments set up to automatically roll over into his savings account and that the $2,000 is accurate. Since the claimant has confirmed the FTI, the adjudicator can use the call as verification. Important: Adjudicators may not accept a statement taken over the phone as verification of a claimant’s income if the amount is less than FTI reported by IRS and SSA. Reference: For information regarding disclosures to Fiduciaries, see M21-1, Part X, Chapter 9, Section B, Topic 4 k. Tailgating “Piggybacking” or “tailgating” to gain unauthorized access to areas containing FTI is prohibited. Only individuals with a need to know are allowed to access areas containing FTI. Note: Although individuals may have authorized access to areas containing FTI, access to FTI should be limited to a need to know basis. 2. Storing and Handling of FTI