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

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

 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. § ) Introduction

 Agencies of the State providing or administering a public benefit (adult education) must require every applicant ages 18 and over to: 1.Provide one secure and verifiable document 2.Execute an affidavit and provide supporting documentation, if required Georgia Law

Applicant Responsibilities

Step 1 - Provide a Secure and Verifiable Document  Must be on the approved list from the Attorney General of Georgia  Cannot be expired

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

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

A closer look at the I-94 1.Departure Number 2.Entry Date 3.Visa Type 4.Admitted Until Date 5.Entry Location

 Paperless Process in 2013  I-94 Retrieval Website Electronic I-94 Changes

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

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

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

 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 U.S Citizen or Legal Permanent Resident 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 Qualified Alien or Non-immigrant Steps

 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 Qualified Alien or Non-immigrant Lawful Presence

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

Other Supporting Documentation  Department of State 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

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

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

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

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

Local Program Responsibilities

 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 VOEPB forms and documents

 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 Local Processing of Affidavits

 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 Qualified Alien status: Local Program

 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 Qualified Alien status: OAE

 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 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 Refusal of Services and Appeal

 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 Keep in Mind

 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 Special Populations

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

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