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Effective: June 1, 2011 |
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11.10.05ar6 - Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) (Archive) |
Archived: June 1, 2012 |
The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system is used to validate the immigration status of eligible noncitizen applicants for certain programs, and for enrollees who report a change in immigration status. SAVE can also be used to access sponsorship information.
SAVE and Sponsorship Information.
SAVE is an information-sharing initiative that allows authorized staff to validate a noncitizen's immigration status by accessing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) data. The USCIS will protect people's privacy to the maximum degree possible, in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and other applicable statutes. No consent for release of information is required to use SAVE.
SAVE does not determine eligibility for health care programs or provide information unrelated to a person's immigration status. It does not replace the requirement for noncitizens to provide verification of their immigration status. It is not a reporting mechanism. The USCIS cannot use information provided to workers by SAVE for the purpose of administrative (non-criminal) enforcement of immigration laws.
Use SAVE to validate the immigration status of certain eligible noncitizen applicants and of enrollees who report a status change for the following health care programs:
l Medical Assistance (MA). This includes state-funded MA (NMED), except for undocumented and nonimmigrant people receiving services from the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) or undocumented or nonimmigrant pregnant women applying for CHIP-funded MA or emergency medical assistance (EMA).
l Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA).
l MinnesotaCare for families with children.
Do not use SAVE for the following programs:
l Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA).
l CHIP-funded MA for undocumented or nonimmigrant pregnant women.
l State-funded MA (NMED) for people whose eligibility is based solely on receipt of services from the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT).
l MinnesotaCare for adults without children.
Also, do not use SAVE:
l When the immigration status claimed and the USCIS documentation provided by the applicant or enrollee cause ineligibility for the programs applied for, and the applicant or enrollee does not claim a different status.
l When the applicant or enrollee is ineligible for other reasons, such as income, assets or other coverage.
l For people who are not requesting coverage for themselves.
l When people withdraw their applications before SAVE validation has occurred.
To use SAVE for applicants:
1. Request verification of immigration status if required for the program(s) for which the person is applying. See Verification of Immigration Status.
2. Determine eligibility for the appropriate program(s).
3. Submit the required documentation of immigration status provided by a noncitizen applicant to SAVE through the Automated Status Verification System (ASVS). Do not delay or deny approval pending SAVE primary or secondary verification if the applicant is eligible based on the documentation provided.
To use SAVE for enrollees who report a change in immigration status:
1. Request verification of the new status.
2. Redetermine eligibility based on the new status.
3. If the noncitizen submits verification and remains eligible, submit through ASVS. Do not reduce or terminate coverage pending SAVE verification.
4. If the noncitizen is no longer eligible based on verification provided, do not submit to SAVE. Consider eligibility for other programs.
SAVE may be used for primary or secondary verification:
l Primary Verification - The initial SAVE inquiry is an automated query to the SAVE database. In most cases, no further requests are necessary.
l Secondary Verification - An additional SAVE inquiry may be initiated if a match is not found or there are discrepancies between the information displayed on SAVE and the information provided by the applicant. See Chapter 05 of the Health Care Eligibility for Noncitizens guide for further information.
There may be instances when further follow-up with USCIS is needed. For example, the secondary verification response may say ”copies of documentation needed.”
If follow-up is needed, complete a USCIS form G-845 and submit it with the requested documentation. SAVE allows the user to print a pre-filled G-845 form to send to the immigration status verifier. Since this is part of the secondary verification process, a release from the client is not required. Mail the G-845 and copies of documentation to:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
10 Fountain Plaza, 3rd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
Attn: Immigration Status Verification Unit
SAVE and Sponsorship Information
Use SAVE to request sponsor information for clients whose immigration status indicates they have a sponsor, but are unable to provide the Affidavit of Support, or the client appears to be subject to sponsor deeming but claims not to have a sponsor.
For additional information, see Sponsor Verification Process.
For further information about using SAVE, see the following POLI/TEMP sections in MAXIS:
TE02.12.19 (SAVE System).
TE02.12.20 (SAVE - Secondary Responses).
TE02.12.21 (SAVE Q&A, Part 1).
TE02.12.22 (SAVE Q&A, Part 1).
TE02.12.23 (Reminders on the Use of SAVE).