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Manual Title Chapter Page Revision Date Virginia Medical Assistance Eligibility M02 July 2025 Subchapter Subject Page ending with Page M0220.000 CITIZENSHIP & ALIEN REQUIREMENTS M0220.201 4b

M0220.201 IMMIGRATION STATUS VERIFICATION

A. Verification Procedures An alien's immigration status is verified by the official document issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and a comparison with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. SAVE interfaces with the Federal Hub for applications processed in VaCMS. The EW does not need to obtain the alien status document when immigration status is verified through the Hub. If immigration status cannot be verified through the Hub, the EW must see the original document or a photocopy; submission of just an alien number is NOT sufficient verification. If the alien has an alien number but no USCIS document, or has no alien number and no USCIS document, use the secondary verification SAVE procedure in M0220.202 below if the alien provides verification of his or her identity. If the agency cannot promptly verify immigration status of an individual in the Hub/SAVE, the agency must provide a 90-calendar-day reasonable opportunity period for the individual’s immigration status to be verified and may not delay, deny, reduce or terminate benefits for an individual whom the agency determines to be otherwise eligible for Medicaid during such reasonable the opportunity period. If the individual does not respond to the request and does not provide the information necessary to meet the C&I documentation requirements by the 90th day, coverage may be canceled. Send an advance notice and cancel coverage at the end of the month in which the 90th day occurs. If the individual provides part of the information or is in the process of getting the information, a new reasonable opportunity period should be provided. The new reasonable opportunity period begins the day after the first period ended. No more than two reasonable opportunity periods should be granted within a certification period since the case cannot be successfully redetermined without the C&I documentation. NOTE: If a noncitizen attests that they do not have a valid immigration status, do not use the verification procedures in this section or the SAVE procedures. Go to section M0220.400 below to determine the noncitizen's eligibility. B. Documents That Verify Status Appendix 7 to this subchapter contains a list of typical immigration documents used by lawfully present noncitizens. Verify lawful permanent resident status by a Resident Alien Card or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), or for recent arrivals a temporary I-551 stamp in a foreign passport or on Form I-94. Verify lawful admission by a Resident Alien Card (issued from August 1989 until December 1997) or Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551); a Re-entry Permit; or a Form I-688B with a provision of law section 274A.12(A)(1). Afghan and Iraqi immigrants admitted to the U.S. under a Special Immigrant Visa will have either (1) a Form I-551 or (2) a passport or I-94 form indicating categories SI1, SI2, SI3, SQ1, SQ2, or SQ3 and bearing the Department of Homeland Security stamp or notation. Form I-151 (Alien Registration Receipt Card – the old aka “green card”), Form AR-3 and AR-3a are earlier versions of the Resident Alien Card (Form I-551). An alien with one of the older cards who does not have an I-551should be referred to USCIS to obtain the application forms for the I-551. The forms may be ordered by calling 1- 800-375-5283. When an I-151 is presented, refer the alien to USCIS, but accept the document for further verification (see M0220.201.E below).