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Chapter: 1400 Technical Requirements Program: TCA 38 member’s needs included. If this occurs, the agency must not continue efforts to obtain that documentation. Instead the individual is technically ineligible for benefits. When verifying noncitizen status, the agency uses automated verification by Verification Information System - Customer Processing System (VIS-CPS).

If a noncitizen is unable to provide any documentation to verify immigration status, the eligibility specialist is not responsible for contacting USCIS on the noncitizen’s behalf unless the individual requests assistance in obtaining documentation or verification of immigration status.

An expired noncitizen registration card does not necessarily mean that the noncitizen lost their immigration status. If VIS-CPS does not indicate the noncitizen has an acceptable status, the noncitizen should be referred to USCIS to obtain current USCIS documentation. If obtaining USCIS documentation would place an undue hardship on the noncitizen, or the noncitizen is hospitalized or suffers from a medical disability, the eligibility specialist must have the noncitizen declare their noncitizen status and continue to process the application. The USCIS documentation provided will be manually verified with USCIS.

Examples of undue hardship include, but are not limited to, living a distance from the USCIS office, lack of transportation, or a several months waiting period for an appointment with USCIS.

If a noncitizen does not have any documentation of immigration status, but can provide the “noncitizen registration number,” the eligibility specialist will verify the number using the VIS-CPS system. If the number is verified, and VIS-CPS indicates the individual has an immigration status, this is acceptable documentation. However, the individual’s identity must be verified to ensure the noncitizen registration number belongs to the individual.

Note: If a noncitizen provides any form of USCIS documentation, regardless of the expiration date, showing an eligible Immigration Act section, the eligibility specialist must accept the documentation and verify the individual’s status through the VIS-CPS system. When the VIS- CPS system requests secondary verification, benefits may not be withheld pending response from the secondary verification, providing all other technical eligibility factors are met.

If the secondary verification shows that the noncitizen no longer has an eligible immigration status, a Benefit Recovery referral will be initiated for the total amount of assistance received during the interim investigation period. 1420.0115 VIS-CPS (TCA) VIS-CPS must be completed for noncitizens:

1. at application or reapplication, 2. when adding a noncitizen individual, 3. at every review for individuals who do not have a permanent resident status, and 4. any time there is a change to alien status.

A noncitizen who has what appears to be a “good” USCIS document, when VIS-CPS indicates contradictory information, will be considered potentially eligible until secondary verification is returned confirming the status. Do not hold, deny or terminate benefits waiting for the secondary verification. 1420.0117 Noncitizens not Eligible for Assistance (TCA) The following individuals are not eligible for Temporary Cash Assistance on the factor of citizenship status:

1. foreign government representatives on official business and their families and servants, 2. visitors for business or pleasure, including exchange visitors,