The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program Office, within the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for administering the SAVE Program. The SAVE Program is used to verify a noncitizen’s immigration status by using the noncitizen’s alien registration number (“A” number). The noncitizen verification is provided primarily through the Verification Information System (VIS).

This Field Operations Memo reinforces DTA field instructions for processing applicants who have previously used the 60-day work search period.

In eligibility reviews, case workers should market job search and skills training in addition to emphasizing time limit.

The purpose of this memo is to: address issues related to reverification of information that is considered permanently verified; and remind AU Managers that, once SSN and date of birth are verified, applicants /recipients must not be required to verify the item unless a change is entered in BEACON or the information is questionable.

This memo describes changes in the layout and readability of the BEACON Generated Verification (VC-1) and informs AU Managers of related procedural changes. Advocacy note: Instead of paper verification checklists, FS applicants and recipients should be receiving in the mail a customized check list of verifications which should asks ONLY for the verifications specific to their case, should list a range of alternative verifications and should not ask for verifications already in the record or considered "permanent." Be sure to check the accuracy of verifications listed on this BEACON generated list.

Field Operations Memo 2007-45 introduced TAO staff to Orientation Sessions. Attendance at these sessions was voluntary for any TAFDC applicant or work program required client. To ensure that all TAFDC applicants receive this critical information in as timely and as uniformly a way as possible, the Department is making the orientation PowerPoint presentation a required part of application activities for all TAFDC applicants (see 106 CMR 702.125 (C) and (E)). This change in procedure will begin September 2, 2008.

Social Security Number validation by the electronic SVES system is acceptable verification of identity for all DTA benefits programs. No benefits should be delayed for failure to verify identity if the SVES system can validate the social security number.

From November, 2005 Transitions.

Reminder to case workers that verifications are not limited to any one type of document.

An FYI to DTA staff on expired immigration documents, explaining that an expired document does NOT mean expired immigration status!!

AU Managers must remember to help applicants and clients obtain required verifications, if they are unable to obtain verifications for reasons beyond their control. AU Managers must also remember to allow additional time and to give additional help to applicants and clients who have identified themselves as having trouble providing verifications due to Domestic Violence (DV), if specific documentation, such as a birth record to prove relationship, is taking more time than normally required (10 days) or would put the applicant or client at risk.

Reminder to case workers that they are obligated to assist applicants and recipients with getting verifications that they have difficulty getting for reasons beyond their control, and to inform applicants and recipients of alternative forms of verification including self-declarations and collateral contacts.

SSN matches; no need for SS card for verification.

FS and TAFDC eligibility for LPR children and adults in country less than 5 years; when verification of citizenship is and is not required.

Replacement EBT cards at reapplication; TAFDC: household composition including 2 parents, one common child, one child from previous relationship, and earnings; TAFDC: income of step-parent where natural parents are not in the home is not counted if she opts out of assitance unit.

Multilingual cards must be sent with every manual notice, inlcuding verification checklists; TAFDC: Family cap and deprivation factor; TAFDC: work requirement for parents of school-age children is based on mandatory school age not school attendance (note that while this reasoning still applies for figuring out which work requirement applies, it is no longer true that no work requirement applies to parents of children under 6).

The new form does not ask the landlord to list all the household members or other questions irrelevant to receipt of benefits, but instead focuses on specific information needed for residence and shelter costs. It also advises the client of many alternative verifications instead of the form on the reverse side. This form will be issued more formally in the February Transitions, but is presently on-line with DTA forms. The "Shared living" form will be similarly revised.