Retention Date: 06/11/2026
A. Purpose
This Emergency Message (EM) provides instructions for processing Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims involving noncitizen applicants and redeterminations involving noncitizen recipients. It clarifies that all noncitizen applicants must have their immigration status verified through the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, regardless of the type or appearance of the immigration document presented. Similarly, all noncitizen recipients must have their immigration status re-verified through SAVE when there has been a change in immigration status and during SSI redeterminations.
B. Background
To ensure program integrity, it is essential to verify the immigration status of all noncitizens who are applying for SSI benefits, are subject to a redetermination, or whose immigration status has changed. The SAVE program is the designated tool for verifying immigration status with DHS and provides timely, authoritative information to support eligibility determinations.
C. Policy
All noncitizens applying for or receiving SSI must have their immigration or Certificate of Naturalization status verified through the SAVE program. This requirement applies to all initial applications, status changes, and redeterminations.
1. Initial Applications:
· Noncitizen applicants must present acceptable evidence of their immigration status.
· Technicians must initiate SAVE verification using the information provided.
2. Status Change:
· Verify immigration status changes in SAVE using the most recent immigration document.
· Status change could be from noncitizen to naturalized citizen, in which case verify the Certificate of Naturalization using SAVE.
3. Redeterminations:
· Re-verify immigration status using SAVE if the individual is a noncitizen at the time of the redetermination.
Note: This policy supersedes any prior guidance that allowed adjudication without SAVE verification based solely on document appearance and completeness.
Reminder: Per GN 00303.610B.1, the claimant must submit an original immigration document, which cannot be done over video conference equipment. Technicians must physically examine the original immigration document in person.
D. Technician Procedures
1. Submitting SAVE Verification:
· Whenever a noncitizen claimant presents an immigration document, initiate a SAVE query to verify eligibility status. For claims purposes, access SAVE via the I-Main website (see MS 02902.001).
· SAVE verification is required for all noncitizen Title XVI claims and redeterminations, regardless of the type or appearance of the document.
· Follow standard SAVE verification procedures (see GN 00303.620-630).
2. Handling SAVE Responses:
· If SAVE confirms a potentially SSI-eligible alien status, proceed with eligibility development.
· If SAVE indicates the individual does not have lawful immigration status or the individual has a lawful immigration status but is not an SSI-eligible alien, the claimant is not eligible for SSI benefits.
· If SAVE returns a message to “Institute Additional Verification” or “Resubmit Doc (Need Copy Original),” follow the appropriate next steps in the SAVE process as outlined in GN 00303.630.
3. Documenting SAVE Results:
· Annotate SAVE verification results of immigration status in the Report of Contact (DROC) and adjudicate the claim as appropriate in the Consolidated Claims Experience (CCE).
· Unless already in the Evidence Portal, scan both sides of the immigration document into the Evidence Portal (ensure all scans are legible).
4. Pending Decisions:
· A pending decision (e.g., asylum application, adjustment of status pending) does not establish eligibility unless SAVE confirms a current qualified alien status.
5. Sponsorship Verification (if applicable):
· If sponsor deeming rules apply, refer to SI 00502.240 for procedures on verifying affidavits of support and sponsor information.
Direct all program and technical related questions to your field office (FO) management or Program Service Center (PSC) Operations Analysis (OA) staff. PSC OA staff may refer questions, concerns, or problems to their Central Office contacts.
References