DTA chart listing the immigration statuses and verifications required for EAEDC, TAFDC and Food Stamp benefits.

Even though they were initially denied SSI because of their noncitizen status, certain EAEDC recipients (age 65 or older or disabled with a disability expected to last 12 months or more) may now be eligible for and should reapply for SSI benefits because of a change in their noncitizen status or more up-to-date information on their work history.

Certain EAEDC elderly recipients (age 65 or older) may now be eligible and must reapply for SSI benefits because of a change in their noncitizen status or more up-to-date information on their work history. They were initially denied SSI because of their noncitizen status. Some of these recipients may also be disabled with a disability expected to last 12 months or more. In addition to reducing Department costs, encouraging applicants/recipients to apply for and follow through with the SSI process ensures a greater cash benefit for the recipient once the SSI is approved.

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).

The Department and the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) have worked together to address the issue of assisting current noncitizen EAEDC recipients with the citizenship process for becoming U.S. naturalized citizens.

The Department and the Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) continue working together to address the issue of assisting current noncitizen EAEDC recipients with the citizenship process for becoming U.S. naturalized citizens.

There are three types of “Alternative” SSN identifiers used by the Department to identify recipients who cannot be identified with valid SSNs. The first two numbers of these “Alternative” SSNs are always “99.”

The Department is issuing a current listing of agencies which help our noncitizen clients become citizens. These agencies are grouped by region.

There are about 2,000 EAEDC noncitizen elders who are not getting food stamps because of the federal 5-year bar. These elders can now qualify for food stamps if a doctor verifies that the individual has a severe mental or physical impairment that will last 12 months or result in death and prevents substantial gainful activity in light of the person's age, education, and work experience. Initially, DTA will give EAEDC elders the form at application, redetermination and other times when the person is in the office. Eventually, DTA will do outreach to these clients. Even if an elder is not scheduled for any contact with the local office, they can bring in the completed form (or fax it to the worker)and ask to apply for Food Stamps.

EAEDC recipients must work toward citizenship if able to become a citizen within the next three years. This FYI explains case worker obligations to assist with the process, and explains that case workers may not require verification of efforts to become a citizen at application or deny an application for failure to verify it. Once a recipient, an EAEDC recipient may face termination if he or she refuses to cooperate without good cause. The FYI contains a list of good cause reasons.

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