TX HHS Form H1103. Verification of TANF Eligibility

Form H1103 is a supporting document used in the Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility process. Its purpose is straightforward but important: it confirms a child’s identity, age, relationship to the payee, and the authenticity of the documents presented. Although the form looks simple, it plays a central role in verifying that TANF benefits are issued only to eligible families and that the child listed on the case truly belongs to the household.

Purpose and When the Form Is Required

Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) requires Form H1103 whenever a family applies for TANF or reports a new child in the household. The state must confirm the child’s identity and relationship to the applicant or payee because these factors directly affect eligibility and benefit amounts.

You typically need this form when:

• A new TANF application is submitted for the household.
• A newborn or another child needs to be added to an existing case.
• HHSC cannot verify a child’s details through automated databases and requests manual verification.
• There is conflicting or incomplete information on previous documents.

The form is completed by the HHSC advisor—not the applicant—but the applicant must present the required documents for review.

Explanation of Key Sections

Case Information and Child Identification

This section captures the child’s legal name, date of birth, city and state of birth, and the name as it appears on the TANF application (Form H1010). These details must match the official document shown to the advisor. Discrepancies are common—for example, nicknames or shortened versions of names—and may delay processing.

Document Reviewed

The advisor checks which document was used to confirm the child's identity. Acceptable documents include:

• Birth Certificate
• Hospital Certificate
• Baptismal Certificate

If none of these documents are available, HHSC may require additional verification, which can significantly slow the approval process.

Parental Information

The form captures the names, ages, and birthplaces of the mother and father as shown on the document. These details help confirm the child’s relationship to the payee. For example, if the payee claims to be the child’s mother but the birth certificate lists a different person, HHSC must resolve the discrepancy before continuing the case.

Administrative Information

Additional lines (“File or Certificate No.,” “Page,” “Volume,” “City,” “County,” “State”) help HHSC document the exact source of verification. This ensures that the review can be audited later if needed.

The advisor also marks whether the child should be added to or removed from the TANF case—an important step, as it directly affects benefit calculations.

Common Applicant Mistakes

• Providing hospital “souvenir” birth certificates instead of a certified one.
• Submitting documents with mismatched spellings of the child’s name.
• Delaying the submission of official documents, causing case processing to halt.
• Incorrectly assuming HHSC already has the child’s information when adding a newborn.

Practical Advice for Applicants

• Bring the original or certified copy of the birth or baptismal certificate.
• Double-check that the name and date of birth match the details you wrote on Form H1010.
• If you recently changed the child’s last name, bring proof of the legal change.
• Organize all related documents (IDs, birth certificates, proof of residence) to speed up processing.

Real-World Situations Where the Form Is Used

• A mother applies for TANF for the first time. HHSC must verify her newborn’s identity using the birth certificate reviewed on Form H1103.
• A family adds a child who recently came to live with them. The advisor uses the form to verify the child's relationship to the payee.
• A father updates his TANF case after gaining custody. Form H1103 confirms the child's identity and parental connection.
• A teen parent applies independently. HHSC verifies the newborn’s information to determine eligibility for both.

Documents Commonly Required

• Certified birth certificate (preferred)
• Hospital birth record (if certified)
• Baptismal certificate (if birth certificate unavailable)
• Legal custody documents (if applicable)
• Form H1010 (TANF Application)

FAQ

• What is Form H1103 used for? It verifies a child’s identity, age, and relationship to the TANF payee.
• Who fills out Form H1103? Only HHSC staff complete the form; applicants only provide documents.
• When is this form required? Whenever a child is added to a TANF case or HHSC needs identity verification.
• What if I don’t have the child's birth certificate yet? HHSC may temporarily accept a hospital record, but the certified certificate is usually required.
• Does this form affect benefit amounts? Yes—adding or removing a child changes the household size and payment level.
• Can the form be submitted online? No. It is completed in person by the advisor during document review.
• What happens if the information doesn’t match? HHSC will request clarification, and case approval may be delayed.

Micro-FAQ (Short Answers)

• Purpose: Verify child information for TANF.
• Who files: HHSC advisor, not the applicant.
• Applicant role: Provide identity documents.
• Required documents: Birth/baptismal certificate.
• When used: Adding a child or applying for TANF.
• Submitted to: Texas Health and Human Services.
• Consequences of mismatch: Processing delays.
• Accepted alternatives: Hospital record if certified.
• Legal basis: TANF eligibility verification rules.

Related Forms

• Form H1010 – Texas Benefits Application
• Form H1020 – Request for Information
• Form H1028 – Employment Verification
• Form H1106 – TANF Eligibility Review

Form Details

• Form Name: Verification of TANF Eligibility
• Form Number: H1103
• State: Texas
• Revision Date: January 2022-E