Citizenship Verification for a Child for Whom Assistance is Being Requested 400-28-50-25

(Revised 7/10/2024 ML #3848)

Children for whom Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) benefits are being requested must verify their citizenship. To be eligible for CCAP, a child must either be a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. If citizenship for a child is requested and is not verified, that child is not eligible for CCAP. If at a later date verification of citizenship is provided for the child, the child’s eligibility for CCAP begins the month the verification of citizenship is received and all other eligibility criteria is met.

When an applicant has presented an USCIS document containing the individual's alien admission number or alien file number, if the documents appear to be legitimate, the application must be processed within the appropriate time frame without waiting for receipt of additional verification from USCIS. A copy of the document must be included in the case file. Provided the document is in the case file, an error will not be cited should later verification result in ineligibility.

Example:

An individual applies and provides USCIS documents. When completing the SAVE inquiry, the worker is advised to request additional verification. The application must be processed within the appropriate time frame and the individual must be included in the case.

The caretaker is not subject to the citizenship requirement. A child included in the CCAP case as a household member for whom assistance is not being requested does not need to verify their citizenship. However, if at a later date, CCAP is requested for that child, verification of citizenship must be provided before eligibility for the child can be determined.