General Assistance Handbook 90-03.50: Citizens and Eligible Non-citizens

Effective Date: December 21, 2009

Revised Date: January 5, 2010

Published By: E200/ E111

Summary:

The information in this handbook covers processes that were previously detailed in the General Assistance (GA) regulations and Handbook 90-2.11, Legalized Aliens, dated Dec. 1, 1991. All process information was moved from the regulations to handbooks.

Handbook 90-2.11 (referred to above) is now obsolete.

This handbook provides information on individuals who are US citizens, as well as non-citizens who are eligible for GA. Non-citizens whose residency status is not identified below are ineligible for GA.

General:

All citizens are potentially eligible for GA. Non-citizens identified in section B may also be eligible.

Citizenship or eligible non-citizen status must be verified with birth verification, certificate of naturalization, or valid US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation.

Specifics:

US Citizens
Individuals born in a US state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or other US territories and commonwealths are citizens.

Individuals who are naturalized are citizens.
Non-citizens
Ineligible Non-citizens:
Individuals who have entered the US on tourist, visitor, student, temporary, or diplomatic visas.

Non-citizens with the following residency statuses are potentially eligible for GA.
All individuals granted permanent resident status, verified by USCIS form I-151, I-551, or a Re-entry Permit.

Individuals residing under the color of law (PRUCOL) listed below:

Conditional Entrants (refugees) per the USCIS regulations whose status has not been terminated by the US Attorney General.

Conditional Entrants may verify their status with USCIS form I-94 that is annotated “conditional entry,” “conditional entrant,” “political asylum,” or “refugee.”

Parolees per the USCIS regulations.

Parolees may verify their status with USCIS form I-94 citing the above regulatory section.

Individuals granted an indefinite stay of deportation per the USCIS regulations.

Stays of deportation may be verified by a letter from the USCIS or by a court order citing the above section.

Individuals who have been granted an indefinite voluntary departure in lieu of deportation.

Indefinite voluntary departure may be verified by a letter from USCIS or a court order.

Individuals lawfully admitted to the US who meet the following conditions:

Have left their sponsor due to domestic violence.

Have established a self-petitioned prima facie case as meeting classification under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Have applied for and are pursuing permanent resident status or

Are granted a temporary stay of departure that has not expired.

Individuals who have verified they have applied for a T visa under the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

T visa status must be verified that the individual has made an application for T visa status by USCIS documentation.

Individuals with verified applications for U visa status under the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.

U visa status must be verified by USCIS documentation indicating that an application was made.

Individuals with approved requests for adjustment to permanent resident status.

Adjustment approvals may be verified with USCIS form I-181-B (Notice to Alien, from USCIS).

Haitian Nationals

Haitian nationals granted entrant status may be verified with USCIS form I-94S. This is a pink and white laminated photo id card, and includes the individual’s name, birth date, non-citizen identification number, and a fingerprint. The date of parole and the expiration date are listed on the back.

NOTE:

The following verification is not sufficient to establish eligibility for GA.

USCIS forms I-94 A to I-94 L (lawful admittance to the US for temporary residence).
USCIS form I-181-A (application for adjustment to permanent status).

References:

9-3-5.3

Yolanda Baldovinos, Director
Social Services Agency