NON - FINANCIAL VERIFICATION STANDARD- Citizenship and Eligible non - citizen Status :

This section details the specific types of information and documents to be used in establishing the citizenship and non-citizen status for individuals who are applying for food assistance, cash assistance and medical assistance programs for themselves.

A. Citizenship for SNAP and cash assistance: Citizenship for SNAP and cash assistance programs will be verified only when questionable (as defined by 8.100.130.12 NMAC). Information and documents that can be used to verify citizenship include:

(1) social security number;

(2) birth certificate;

(3) naturalization papers from the department of homeland security United States citizenship and immigration services (DHS) such as DHS Forms I-179 or I-197;

(4) U.S. passport;

(5) military service papers;

(6) hospital record of birth;

(7) baptismal record, when place of birth is shown;

(8) Indian census records;

(9) DHS 400 for non-citizen children who can derive citizenship through citizen father or mother;

(10) additional items as listed on ISD 135, “proof checklist”;

(11) any document listed in Subsection B of this section; or

(12) if electronic verification is not available, and documentary evidence is not readily available, use other acceptable methods of verification as described in 8.100.130.9 NMAC.

B. Medical assistance programs: After July 1, 2006, an individual seeking medical assistance benefits for themselves must provide the income support division with a declaration signed under penalty of perjury that the applicant is a citizen, or a national of the United States, or is in an eligible immigration status. Applicants must present information allowing for verification of attested status. A non-citizen applicant who declares to be in an eligible immigration status is required to present immigration status information that can be used to verify attested status (such as an “A-number” or an “I-94 number”). Verification of citizenship for the applicant/recipient is mandatory at initial application. Acceptable documentary evidence of citizenship and identity is found at 8.200.410.12 NMAC in accordance with 42 CFR 435.407.

C. Non-citizen status: A non-citizen must have information allowing attested status to be verified.

D. Systematic alien verification for entitlement (SAVE):

(1) All applicants who attest to eligible immigration status will be subject to verification through the United States department of homeland security’s (USDHS) database (SAVE) system.

(2) Conflicting information regarding the citizenship status provided by the applicant/recipient will require additional verification by the USDHS.

[8.100.130.16 - Rp 8.100.130.16 NMAC, 7/1/2024]