Verification of Eligibility for Public Benefit

1. Verification of Eligibility for Public Benefit Technical College System of Georgia Office of Adult Education FY15

2. Training Topics Overview the VOEPB Process Go over the VOEPB affidavit Walk through each procedure Show examples of key documents SAVE verification

3. Introduction Process where applicants identify their status and provide specific documentation in order to receive a public benefit Georgia law, not a federal regulation (O.C.G.A. § 50-36-1)

4. Georgia Law • Agencies of the State providing or administering a public benefit (adult education) must require every applicant ages 18 and over to: • Provide one secure and verifiable document • Execute an affidavit and provide supporting documentation, if required

5. ApplicantResponsibilities

6. Step 1 - Provide a Secure and Verifiable Document • Must be on the approved list from the Attorney General of Georgia http://law.ga.gov/immigration-reports • Cannot be expired

7. Examples of approved SV Documents State-issued Driver’s Licenses and ID cards U.S. Military ID cards U.S. Permanent Resident card U.S. Passport

8. Other SV Documents Foreign Passport with I-94 Employment Authorization Cards

9. A closer look at the I-94 Departure Number Entry Date Visa Type Admitted Until Date Entry Location 23 11 74

10. Electronic I-94 Changes Paperless Process in 2013 I-94 Retrieval Website https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

11. Non-approved SV Documents • Consulate Card of any kind • International Driver’s License • National ID Card • Student ID • Voter ID • Foreign Passport without supporting documentation • Driver’s License from another country, except Canada • ITIN – Individual Taxpayer Identification Number • Social Security Card

12. Examples of Non-approved SV docs Consulate Card Expired International Driver’s License Student ID National ID

13. Step 2 – Complete an Affidavit • Name • Age • Status • A#, if applicable • Secure and Verifiable Document type • City • Signature and Printed Name of Applicant • Notarization • Document tracking

14. U.S Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident Steps • Provide a secure and verifiable document • Complete the affidavit and select a category • United States citizen • Legal permanent resident of the United States • Present the affidavit to a notary public and follow his/her instructions

15. Qualified Alien or Non-immigrant Steps • Provide a secure and verifiable document • Complete the affidavit and select a category • Qualified Alien/Non-immigrant • Present the affidavit to a notary public and follow his/her instructions • Provide supporting documentation that shows lawful presence

16. Qualified Alien or Non-immigrant Lawful Presence • Most commonly presented: • Foreign passport with I-94, I-94A, I-94W • Employment Authorization Card • U.S. Visa (submitted with foreign passport) • J-1 visa authorization document with SEVIS ID • And many others

17. Supporting Documentation Examples Foreign passport with I-94 J-1 Visa form (DS-2019) Employment Authorization Card US Visa – w/ Passport

18. Other Supporting Documentation Department of State email with picture and A# USCIS form 797-A w/ detachable card Print out from I-94 Retrieval website Other U.S. Citizenship and Immigration documents If you are not sure about a document, contact OAE

19. Not Supporting Documentation Letter from an attorney or other advocate Copy of a submitted USCIS application USCIS 797-C (Notice of Action for appointments) Marriage license or spouse’s legal documents Documents from when they were a MINOR Military ID – Dept. of Defense

20. Restricted Visas - B1, B2 • I-94 B1 (business visitor) B1/B2 Visa I-94 B-2 (pleasure visitor)

21. Restricted Visas - BBBCV • BBBCV (B1/B2 Border Crossing Visa)

22. Restricted Visas - F1 • F1 (student who must pay tuition to attend school)

23. Local Program Responsibilities

24. VOEPB forms and documents • Print the Verification of Eligibility for Public Benefit Affidavit and the list of secure and verifiable documents in duplex format (front/back) • Distribute the affidavit to all students ages 18 and over at the time of intake (AL290 for edit checks) • Provide a notary public, if able • Collect a copy of the secure and verifiable document and supporting documentation

25. Local Processing of Affidavits • Collect the notarized affidavits • Make copies of required documents • Record information in GALIS • Maintain the affidavits in the students’ permanent records • Review and identify qualified alien affidavits

26. Qualified Alien status: Local Program Copies of the affidavit and supporting documentation must be submitted to OAE within 20 business days of receipt Affidavits and supporting documentation may be submitted by mail or fax

27. Qualified Alien status: OAE Receives documents Reviews the affidavit, secure and verifiable document, and supporting documentation Submits the information to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program

28. Refusal of Services and Appeal • If a applicant’s documentation is unable to be verified: • Program will be notified by OAE • Program will notify student • Student has 10 days to submit additional supporting documentation

29. Refusal of Services and Appeal • If student is unverified a second time: • Program must reject adult education services • Student may appeal to OAE • In writing • Within 10 business days • With additional supporting documentation or explanation

30. Keep in Mind VOEPB Directions document is available Applicants complete the affidavit only ONE time Applicant can enroll while paperwork is pending FY10-FY14 affidavits can be used Pull VOEPB forms forward when students attend in a new fiscal year

31. Special Populations Refugees have a Reasonable Opportunity Period or 90 days from U.S. entry date to acquire documents Programs need to work with Correctional and Institutional programs to satisfy VOEPB requirements in a reasonable manner

32. Referral Process Work with local community agencies, organizations, and volunteer groups Develop a referral process Distribute contact information for other providers

33. Thank You Thank you for your time and your attention. Please direct questions about the VOEPB to your local Point of Contact (POC).