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ENERGY PROGRAMS UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP

3 Section 175 Change #1-2011 December 1, 2011 C. If the applicant cannot provide verification of citizenship, request documentation to verify his alien status. If no documentation is available, refer the applicant to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) at:

US Citizenship and Immigration Services Federal Plaza, 5th Floor, Room 5-100A New York, NY 10278 ATTN: Immigration Status Verification Unit Telephone: 800-375-5283

D. If you use the applicant's statement as verification that a household member is an U. S. citizen, no further documentation is needed. Document on the application that all household members are U. S. citizens. If other verification is used, document the verification on the DSS-8116-1. Indicate the source and method of verification.

E. If a household contains U. S. citizens and aliens, document on the DSS-8116-1 alien verification. Indicate the source and method of verification.

175.04 HOW DO YOU VERIFY AND DOCUMENT ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRAFFICKING VICTIMS PROTECTION ACT OF 2000?

A. Background

1. The Trafficking Victims Act makes adults and children who have been victims of severe forms of trafficking eligible for benefits and services to the same extent as refugees.

2. In the act, the term "Severe forms of trafficking in persons" means:

a. Sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such act has not attained 18 years of age; or

b. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery.

B. What is the Requirement for Eligibility?

1. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) makes certification determinations and issue letters of certification to eligible individuals. See Figure 175-2 and Figure 175-3, Certification Letters.

2. An adult individual must have an "original" certification letter. Children under 18 of age do not need to be certified.

3. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation is not needed. Accept the original certifications letter from ORR as proof of status.

4. Encourage the applicant to apply for a social security card if he does not have one. However, do not delay, deny, or discontinue assistance pending issuance of card.

C. How do you verify and document status?

1. Each household member must provide an original certification letter. Children under 18 years of age do not need to be certified. USCIS documentation is not needed.