Establishing Citizenship and Identity

Establishing Citizenship and Identity A. The citizenship and identity of applicants and recipients declaring to be U.S. citizens must be verified unless an exemption applies. Verification of citizenship and identity is required and must be obtained electronically, if available. If unavailable or discrepant data exists, citizenship and identity must be verified by means of documentary evidence. Verification is a one-time requirement completed at the time of application unless there is a valid reason to question the accuracy of the initial determination. B. Documentary evidences of citizenship are divided into a hierarchy of primary, secondary, third-level and fourth-level documents. Primary evidence has the highest reliability and conclusively establishes both a person’s citizenship and identity. When the individual has secondary, third- or fourth-level documentation of citizenship, additional verification must be provided to establish identity. The evidences of identity are not prioritized. C. The highest level of verification must be used if it is available. “Available” means the document exists and can be obtained within the time period allowed for providing information, i.e., thirty (30), forty-five (45) and ninety (90) days, based on application type. When a higher- level document is not available, it is permissible to use a lower-level document. D. It is generally the individual’s responsibility to provide required documents and pay associated fees to obtain them. However, when individuals are economically disadvantaged and unable to pay fees associated with obtaining necessary documents, lower-level evidences of citizenship and identity will be accepted. E. Assistance must be provided when an applicant or beneficiary does not have the required verifications and is homeless, an amnesia victim, or mentally impaired or physically incapacitated and lacks someone to act for them. Contact must be attempted and assistance provided to any applicant or recipient who is known to be deaf, hard of hearing, blind, mentally or visually impaired, physically incapacitated or otherwise disabled, illiterate, homeless, has limited English proficiency and/or requires communication assistance with reading agency notices and other written correspondence prior to the denial or termination of the individual’s case. 1. Eligibility will not be denied or terminated until all avenues of verification have been exhausted. 2. When the individual has been given a reasonable period to provide the information and all avenues of assistance have been exhausted and documented, eligibility must be denied or terminated if needed information is not provided. F. Non-citizens applying for Emergency Medicaid services only are not required to provide information about citizenship, immigration status or Social Security Number. G. Verification must be either an original document or copy certified by the issuing agency. A photocopy or faxed or scanned copy will be accepted unless information on the copy submitted is inconsistent with other available information or there is reason to question the validity of, or the information in, the document.