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975 Chapter 6:Non-citizens • Section 1: Introduction (07/2026) Applicants are responsible for providing proof of immigration status for all household members applying for benefits. If an applicant is unable or unwilling to provide documentation of immigration status for themselves or for any household member applying for benefits, ODHS|OHA will: • Classify that household member as an ineligible non-citizen, and • Stop efforts to obtain any documentation for those members. Most non-citizens will provide documentation from USCIS. However, acceptable documentation may also be issued by other federal agencies such as the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), or a court. Non-citizens who are lawfully present in the United States typically have documents issued that contain information about that individual’s immigration status and the date that individual entered the country or adjusted to the status shown on the card. Some eligible applicants may not have documents issued by USCIS and, in some cases, the date of entry or adjustment may not be necessary or required. Until acceptable documentation is provided, a non-citizen is ineligible for benefits unless: • The worker has submitted a copy of a document provided by the household to USCIS for validation. Pending validation, do not deny, delay, reduce or terminate the individual’s eligibility for benefits on the basis of immigration status, • The individual provides documentation that SSA is conducting an investigation to determine if more quarters of work coverage can be credited. In this situation, workers must certify the individual, pending the results of the investigation, for up to six months from the date of the original determination of insufficient quarters, or • The applicant or worker has submitted a request to a federal agency (other than USCIS) for verification of information applicable to the individual’s immigration status. In this situation, workers must certify the individual, pending the results of the investigation, for up to six months from the date of the original request for verification. REF For REFC and REFM, the immigration status of an individual must be verified by reviewing documentary evidence from a federal agency that holds authority to grant legal immigration status.