(a) When appropriate, in cases in which no documentation regarding the income eligibility of the applicant has been received by the eligible entity, or when it is either more efficient or reliable to do so rather than to search for eligibility documentation, eligible entities may:

1. (1) Seek information from third parties who have first-hand knowledge about the applicant’s eligibility; and

2. (2) Document each such third party’s:

   1. (A) Name;
   2. (B) Title;
   3. (C) Organizational affiliation, if any; and
   4. (D) Relationship to the applicant in the applicant’s record.

(c)

1. (1) If eligible entities plan to seek third-party verification from one (1) or more parties regarding an applicant’s eligibility, staff must inform the applicant about each party that they intend to contact.

2. (2)

   1. (A) In addition, the applicant must sign a consent form permitting the eligible entity to contact specified third parties.
   2. (B) This provides applicants the opportunity to withhold their consent for third-party verification from one (1) or more parties.
   3. (C) An applicant must be given the opportunity to withhold consent that is related to each party that the eligible entity would like to contact.
   4. (D) If applicants do not sign the consent form, the eligible entity may not contact that party and the applicant remains responsible for providing appropriate documentation.