An important task in designing an evidence solution is to map each evidence type to its product(s). At a high level, this establishes the different types of evidence that must be maintained for a product in order to determine eligibility. It also determines whether or not an evidence type is shared between multiple products. If shared, then the evidence is best maintained at the integrated case level. If evidence is specific to one product, then that product will need its own sitemap for maintaining its unique evidence.
The task of mapping evidence to products is particularly important to the evidence framework because of the way in which active evidence is attributed. Evidence is attributed for each evidence type and for each product delivery. This means that when evidence is activated, the system automatically calculates an attribution period for each of the product delivery cases that share the evidence. If evidence isn't shared, then the evidence will only be attributed to the specific product delivery case that the evidence record applies to. Each evidence type has its own algorithm for calculating attribution periods (see Defining Algorithms for Calculating Attribution Periods). By mapping evidence types to products, this determines which products need to be considered in an evidence type's algorithm.
Map Evidence to Products provides a sample to illustrate the mapping of evidence to products. For each evidence type, the table indicates whether or not the evidence is maintained at the integrated case level. The table also indicates the products which use that evidence to determine eligibility.
| Evidence Type | Maintained at IC Level (Yes/No) | Product(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Yes | Foodstamps, Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance |
| Income Usage | Yes | Foodstamps, Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance |
| Sporting Activity | No | Cash Assistance Only |
| Sporting Activity Expense | No | Cash Assistance Only |
In the above table, there are two evidence types, income and income usage, which are maintained at the integrated level and shared between the three products, Foodstamps, Cash Assistance, and Medical Assistance. These evidence types can be accessed from a sitemap maintained at the integrated case level; however, three separate attribution periods will be created for each active evidence record. The algorithm used to calculate attribution periods for income and income usage evidence should therefore consider any specific attribution requirements for the three products.
Also in the above table are the two evidence types, sporting activity and sporting activity expense, which are not maintained at the integrated case level. These evidence types will need to be accessible from an evidence sitemap specific to Cash Assistance. The algorithm used to calculate attribution periods for these two evidence types will only need to take into consideration specific requirements for the Cash Assistance product.