(a) Each applicant who is not a recipient of aid under the provisions of Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) or Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 12000) shall be required to file an affirmation setting forth such facts about his annual income and other resources and qualifications for eligibility as may be required by the department. Such statements shall be on forms prescribed by the department.

(b) To the extent permitted by federal law, eligibility for medical assistance for such applicants shall not be granted until the applicant or designated representative provides independent documentation verifying statements of gross income by type and source; income amounts withheld for taxes, health care benefits available through employment, retirement, military service, work related injuries or settlements from prior injuries, employee retirement contributions, and other employee benefit contributions, deductible expenses for maintenance or improvement of income-producing property and status and value of property owned, other than property exempt under Section 14006. The director may prescribe those items of exempt property which the director deems should be verified as to status and value in order to reasonably assure a correct designation of those items as exempt.

(c) The verification requirements of subdivision (b) apply to income, income deductions and property both of applicants for medical assistance (other than applicants for public assistance) and to persons whose income, income deductions, expenses or property holdings must be considered in determining the applicant’s eligibility and share of cost.

(d) A determination of eligibility and share of cost may be extended beyond otherwise prescribed time frames if, in the county department’s judgment, and subject to standards of the director, the applicant or designated representative has good cause for failure to provide the required verification and continues to make a good faith effort to provide such verification.

(e) To the extent permitted by federal law, in addition to the other verification requirements of this section, a county department may require verification of any other applicant statements, or conduct a full and complete investigation of the statements, whenever a verification or investigation is warranted in the judgment of the county department.

(f) If documentation is unavailable, as defined in regulations promulgated by the department, the applicant’s signed statement as to the value or amount shall be deemed to constitute verification.

(Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 1354, Sec. 8.)