- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- PUERTO RICAN BIRTH CERTIFICATES
- MANUAL REVISION #9:
- 1102.015.30
- 1105.010.02
- 1105.020.00
- 1105.097.00
- 0110.020.01
DISCUSSION:
In December 2009, Puerto Rico passed Law 191 that voids all Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to October 1, 2010. Effective October 1, voided Puerto Rican birth certificates cannot be used to verify identity or United States Nationality for the Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance Programs or to verify citizenship for MO HealthNet programs.
New Puerto Rican birth certificates will be issued after October 1, 2010, for those who apply. The new birth certificate will include technology to limit document forgery.
Food Stamp Program and Temporary Assistance
EU members who are Puerto Rican are U.S. non-citizen nationals, therefore verification of the EU member’s citizenship is not required for the Food Stamp and Temporary Assistance Programs unless questionable. A voided Puerto Rican birth certificate may be used to verify the age of an EU member if no other form of verification is available. Do not re-verify an EU member’s citizenship status at Food Stamp recertification or mid-certification review if unchanged. If verification is needed, any document which reasonably establishes identity for the Food Stamp Program, including collateral contact, may be used.
MO HealthNet
Verification of citizenship is required for all MO HealthNet programs. Effective October 1, 2010, a voided Puerto Rican birth certificate is not acceptable verification of citizenship. The participant will need to provide other documentation of citizenship. Refer to 0110.020.01 for a list of documents that can be used to verify citizenship for MO HealthNet programs.
MO HealthNet participants who had citizenship verified by a Puerto Rican birth certificate prior to October 1, 2010, will not be required to re-verify citizenship at their annual review.
New Puerto Rican birth certificates will be issued after October 1, 2010, for those who apply. The new birth certificate will include technology to limit document forgery.
Manual Updates
Income Maintenance manuals are updated to include this policy. Food Stamp Identity Questions and Answers are revised to include this change.NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
JM/ER/AR