TN 38 (12-20)

GN 00303.600 Contacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

A. Procedure for contacting DHS

Contact DHS, USCIS via the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to request information on immigration status about a non-citizen or to verify a DHS-issued immigration document. SAVE is a USCIS inter-governmental program designed to aid benefit granting agencies in determining eligibility for public benefits. Neither SAVE nor USCIS determines eligibility for benefits, but they do provide information SSA uses to verify immigration status, and thereby assists in ensuring only eligible individuals receive public benefits.

For claims purposes, access SAVE via the I-Main website (see MS 02902.001) and follow instructions in GN 00303.610 - GN 00303.640 to confirm the authenticity of immigration documents submitted to support a claim for benefits and verify the immigration status and/or work authorization of applicants.

NOTE: For enumeration purposes, SSA uses the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP) to access SAVE. See RM 10214.100 for SAVE verification for enumeration via SSNAP.

B. References for Verifying Immigration Documents and using SAVE for claims

  • Verifying Immigration Documents, GN 00303.610.

  • Verifying Unique Classes of non-citizens, GN 00303.610D.

    • Asylee and Refugee, GN 00303.610D.1.

    • Cuban-Haitian Entrants (CHE), GN 00303.610D.2.

    • Temporary Protected Status (TPS), GN 00303.610D.3.

    • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), GN 00303.610D.4.

  • Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, GN 00303.620.

  • Requesting and Interpreting the Response for an Initial Verification Request, GN 00303.630A – GN 00303.630C.

  • Requesting and Interpreting the Response for an Additional Verification Request, GN 00303.630D – GN 00303.630F.

  • Requesting and Interpreting the Response for a Third Level Verification Request, GN 00303.640.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200303600
GN 00303.600 - Contacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) - 12/23/2020
Batch run: 01/08/2021
Rev:12/23/2020