Online Identity Authentication and Data Broker
SNAP Director’s Conference
September 23, 2013
Identity and Authentication
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What is I&A?
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How does it work?
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The Self Service Portal (SSP) User provides personal information: name, date of birth, etc.
I&A software finds the individual’s information on data broker databases
I&A forms challenge questions from those databases
The Online User answers the questions and becomes authenticated and chooses a
password
Why use I&A?
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Known as Knowledged Based Authentication in the Industry
Identifies – uniquely matches who they claim to be against many databases
Authenticates – verifies the person requesting online access is who they claim to be
Secures access to view and change private case data
SSP User cannot easily deny they submitted their data in a hearing
Helps detect and prevent fraud
What can an SSP User do after authentication?
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Submit and View Application Submitted
View Case Facts and Inquiry
Submit Case Changes and Renew Benefits
Become an Authorized Representative in SSP
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Identity Authentication
Process
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Identify
Authenticate
DCS I&A matches
the identity and
creates challenge
questions
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What is required?
 Name, Address, DOB
 SSN, Case#, EDG#, or Individual ID
 User Name & Password
 Answers to 3 Security Questions
What is optional?
 Gender, E-mail, Phone
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How is SSP User challenged?
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How are the answers scored?
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Four questions
Multiple choice answers
Three of Four must be correct
User may attempt eight times
What if they cannot answer?
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Contact Call Center or Visit Office
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I&A Question Examples
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Which number goes with your address on [Street Name]?
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Which street have you lived on?
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Which of the following vehicles do you own?
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Which of the following people do you know?
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Which person is not a relative or someone you know?
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Which of the following phone numbers is related to you?
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Which of these roads is closest to your address?
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Which of these hospitals is closest to your address?
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When did you purchase the property at [Street Address]?
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What type of residence is [Street Address]?
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Linking SSP User to TIERS
TIERS Individual
Authorized ReP.
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Must pass I&A first
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Must pass I&A first
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Case numbers and first names on
case are shown after I&A when SSP
User is matched to TIERS Individual
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Specify Case
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SSP User First & Last Name
must match TIERS AR to
establish link
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SSP User may be AR for
multiple cases
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SSP User verifies the match is
correct to establish link
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SSP I&A Alternative Process
State Portal
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Authorized Staff (e.g., Clerk)
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Search for SSP Account
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Create New SSP Accounts
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Set SSP Account for Full Access
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Match TIERS Individuals
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Link SSP User to TIERS
Individual
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Link SSP User
to TIERS AR
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Reset
Passwords
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Temporary
Password
Document
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SSP Security Implementation
I&A
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Identity Authentication (DCS-Data Broker)
 I&A Design Completed
 Web Service Interfaces Provided
 Configuration of I&A Service Specified
 Implemented April 2012
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LDAP
SSP
SSP
State
Portal
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Data Broker
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HHSC contracts with a Data Broker vendor to provide financial and
other background information about SNAP, TANF and Medicaid
applicants and recipients. The vendor collects and combines
information from multiple sources into one report.
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Staff may also request a credit report before the initial interview only
on the individual who signed the agency’s application form, or for
individuals for whom assistance is requested on the agency’s
application form.
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Agency users of Data Broker must successfully complete the initial
web-based training and assessment(s) for the appropriate program
area. Once training is successfully completed, the user automatically
has access to the Data Broker interface in both TIERS and the Data
Broker stand-alone system.
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Data Broker Sources
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Driver License Data
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Child Support
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Persons at Entered Address
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Neighborhood Address Search
SNAP electronic Disqualified
Recipient System
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Out of State TxEBT Shopping
Data
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SAVE Alien Verification from
DHS
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Texas Vehicle Ownership and
Fair Market Value Data
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Workforce Commission
(wages/UIB)
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SSA Death Index
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Employer New Hire Report
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Real Property Ownership/Value
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TALX Wage Income Data
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Telephone number Information
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Texas Criminal Conviction Data
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Marriage and Divorce
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New Sources in Development
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Texas Birth and Death
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Child Care Expense Info
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Department of Criminal Justice Prisoner Info
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Additional Driver License Info
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National New Hire Report
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Asset Verification System (AVS)
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Texas Data Broker Usage
For July 2013 there were:
• 720,114 Data Broker reports pulled on adults
age 16 and older,
• 653,423 TALX inquiries with 121,664 hits,
• 7,347 Credit Reports requested, and
• 131,988 Identity Authentication requests.
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