Energy Programs

320.06 HOW DO YOU VERIFY ALIEN STATUS?

A. Each household member must provide original documentation of his alien status.

B. When the household member provides insufficient documentation to verify his alien status, further verification is required.

1. You must offer to contact BCIS when you are presented with a BCIS document which:

• Is not listed in policy, or

• Is not considered sufficient proof of alien status; or

• Is illegible or incomplete.

2. If the client consents, contact www.uscis.gov, go to the “Services and Benefits” section to find the appropriate field office; or by calling USCIS customer service at 1-800-375-5283 to verify his alien status. BCIS will need:

a. The applicant's full name and date of birth;

b. Alien registration number if you have it; and

c. A description of the BCIS document.

3. Using the alien status received from, BCIS check column 2 of the table in 320.05 for the alien status. Then use the corresponding block in column 3 of the table in 320.05 to determine eligibility for LIEAP.

4. Proceed with SAVE verification. (See 320.07) It may also be necessary to institute Additional Verification. (See 320.07)

C. If the applicant provides documentation, use the chart in 320.05 to verify his status. Validate his documents by using the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program. (See 320.07 below.)

D. If he refuses or does not provide documentation, consider him an ineligible alien.

1. Count his prorated income when determining eligibility.

2. Count his total countable reserve in the household's reserve.

3. Exclude him from the eligible number in the household.

4. If he refuses or does not provide proof of income or statement of reserve, deny the household's application.

E. Refer aliens without documentation to BCIS at:

www.uscis.gov, go to the “Services and Benefits” section to find the appropriate field office; or by calling USCIS customer service at 1-800-375-5283.