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Aged, Blind, and Disabled Policy Manual Number: 100.015 Section: Non-Financial Eligibility Requirements Chapter: ABD Qualified Non-Citizens August 1, 2024 Division of TennCare 8 a. Assistance Available to Victims of Human Trafficking Adult victims of human trafficking who are certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and are otherwise eligible may receive Medicaid in any Medicaid category available. Children under age 18 do not have to be certified by HHS to receive benefits. For an adult victim of trafficking to receive certification, she must: i. Be a victim of human trafficking as defined by the TVPA or a non-citizen classified as a nonimmigrant under Section 101(a)(15)(T) of the INA; ii. Be willing to assist with the investigation and prosecution of traffickers; and iii. Have completed a bona fide application for a T Visa that has not been denied, or have received continued presence status from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. b. The T Visa - Under the TVPA of 2000 The T Visa was established to allow victims of severe forms of trafficking to become temporary residents of the U.S. The Trafficking Victims Protection Act recognizes that returning victims to their country of origin is often not in the best interest of victims and those victims need the opportunity to rebuild their lives without the threat of deportation. After three years since the first date of admission as a T-1 nonimmigrant, a recipient of a T Visa may be eligible for permanent residence status if he: i. Is a person of good moral character; ii. Has complied with any reasonable request for assistance in the investigation during the three-year period; and iii. Will suffer extreme hardship if removed from this country. c. The Certification Process The certification process typically takes a few days after HHS is notified that a person has made a bona fide T Visa application or has been granted continued presence status (both of these actions are completed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security). If the status of a person who has received HHS certification changes so that they are no longer eligible, HHS may be required to decertify that individual.

d. Verification of Victim Certification A toll-free number can be used to verify victims of trafficking: 1-866-401-5510. Before victims can receive benefits, the Eligibility Specialist must call the toll-free trafficking victim verification line to verify the validity of the certification letter and to inform HHS that the individual has applied for program benefits.