To prove his or her identity, an individual must have one or more documents with identifying information that names him or her.
42 U.S.C. 1396b(x) Pub. Law 111-3 Section 211
These identity rules do not apply to the following:
Individuals who are applying for or getting General Assistance (GA)-related categories of MA.
Pregnant women who are presumptively eligible (PS17) for MA.
Individuals who are getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
Individuals who are getting Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
Individuals entitled to or enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B.
NOTE: An individual who used to get Social Security Administration (SSA) or SSI benefits or who no longer qualifies for Medicare Part A or Part B must not be excused from providing identity documents. It is possible for an individual to lose SSA, SSI, Medicare Part A or Part B because he or she showed false proof of identity to the SSA. Only current recipients of SSD, SSI, Medicare Part A or Part B are excused from having to prove identity. The CAO must:
Require proof of identity at the next client contact or at the next renewal for any current MA recipient who has not had to provide proof because he or she used to get SSA, SSI, Medicare Part A or Part B.
Require proof of identity for any individual who loses eligibility for SSA, SSI, Medicare Part A or Part B.
Newborns initially eligible for MA because their mothers were on MA at the time of birth are considered to have provided satisfactory documentation of citizenship and identity by virtue of being born in the United States. Citizenship and Identity documentation is not required at birth or at any renewal or application for MA thereafter.
Individuals who are getting Title IVB or Title IVE foster care or adoption assistance (PC/PCN 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 or 37)
NOTE: Because TANF cash recipients receive TANF-related MA benefits, the same identity rules used for MA apply to TANF applicants and recipients, as much as is possible under current law. But if a TANF applicant or recipient does not provide proof of identity that meets MA requirements, he or she must not be denied cash assistance or be closed.
Individuals who are applying for or getting TANF cash benefits.
CAOs must ask individuals to provide proof of identity for themselves and other TANF budget group members at application or at the first renewal. Only those documents listed in the sections below meet MA requirements for proof of identity. (For documents that meet TANF cash requirements, (see Cash Assistance Handbook, Chapter 120, Identity.)
NOTE: The following are not acceptable proof of identity for MA:
Social Security cards.
MA 112s from hospitals.
Printouts submitted by medical providers from searchamerica.com.
The CAO must make copies of documents used to prove identity. Those copies become a permanent part of the case record.
NOTE: Religious groups do not have good cause to be exempt from MA requirements.
The following documents may be used as primary-level proof of identity. Most include a photograph of the individual named in the document.
55 Pa. Code § 125.1(b) 42 U.S.C. 1396b(x) Pub. Law 111-3 Section 211
U.S. passport.
Certificate of Naturalization (Department of Homeland Security Form N-550 or N-570).
Certificate of United States Citizenship (Department of Homeland Security Form N-560 or N-561).
Tribal enrollment or membership documents issued by a federally-recognized Indian Tribe showing membership, enrollment in or affiliation with such Tribe must be accepted as verification of citizenship; no additional identity documents are required. The document must identify the federally-recognized Indian Tribe which issued it and identify the individual by name. Examples may include: Tribal enrollment/membership cards, a certificate of degree of Indian blood issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a Tribal census document or a document issued by a Tribe indicating an individual’s affiliation with the Tribe. Tribal documents are considered to be as reliable as a passport.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established an interface to verify the citizenship and identity of an individual declaring to be a U.S. citizen. If a demographic match is made and SSA’s record includes U.S. citizenship information, a positive result will be returned. MCI and CIS will update with an electronic verification code (V) and a source code for SSA (S). This is considered proof of citizenship and identity.
The following documents may be used as secondary-level proof of identity:
NOTE: These documents cannot be used as proof of citizenship or nationality.
NOTE: Identity documents that have recently expired are acceptable as long as there is no reason to believe that the document does not refer to the individual using it as proof of identity.
Pennsylvania or out-of-state driver’s license with the individual’s picture or other identifying information, such as name, age, sex, race, height, weight or eye color (does not need to be current)
NOTE: The CAO must not accept a Canadian driver’s license.
Pennsylvania or out-of-state identity card issued to a non-driver with the individual’s picture or other identifying information, such as name, age, sex, race, height, weight or eye color (does not need to be current)
NOTE: The CAO must not accept a voter registration card.
NOTE: CAOs are not allowed to pay the $10 fee for an individual’s state photo ID.
U.S. military ID or draft record (active duty, dependent, retired, reserve or National Guard).
U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card.
ID card issued by federal, state or local government with the individual’s picture or other identifying information, such as name, age, sex, race, height, weight or eye color (for example, a Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms)
NOTE: A “Child ID Card” issued by a life insurance company or nongovernmental agency as a free service for child protection is not acceptable as proof of identity.
Military dependents identification card.
Three or more documents such as marriage licenses, divorce decrees, high school and college diplomas (including general education and high school equivalency diplomas) from accredited institutions, property deeds or titles and employer ID cards.
NOTE: These documents can be used as proof of identity only if they have not been used to prove the individual’s citizenship and the individual submitted secondary-level or third-level (but not fourth-level) proof of citizenship.
NOTE: These documents must not conflict with each other. The papers must be originals or certified copies.
For children under 16, school records including report cards, day care or nursery school records (The CAO must confirm these records with the schools that issue them.)
School identification card (from a primary school, secondary school, higher-level school or educational institute) with the individual’s picture.
For children under age 16, clinic, doctor or hospital records.
Acknowledgement of Paternity form (PA/CS 611).
NOTE: The actual form must be in the case record. The Bureau of Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) will provide a certified copy of the PA/CS 611 when it receives a written request, a fax request or a telephone call from the CAO. The CAO must try to obtain other forms of ID before accepting a PA/CS 611.
Data matches with the Department of Health or the Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
NOTE: These are the only two acceptable data matches. PACSES is not an acceptable data match.
An affidavit (sworn statement) can be used as proof of identity only if the individual could not provide any primary-level or secondary-level documents.
42 U.S.C. 1396b(x) 42 CFR § 435.406 42 CFR § 435.407
If an affidavit is used as proof of identity, the following rules apply:
When a disabled individual in a residential care facility individual cannot get any of the documents listed above, he or she can have his or her identity attested to by the head of the facility. The affidavit must be signed under penalty of perjury. The definition of disability will be determined by the facility itself.
An affidavit can be used for children under the age of 16.
Exception: In limited circumstances, affidavits may be used for children age 17 or 18, such as when school ID cards and driver’s licenses are not available to them before age 18.
The affidavit must be signed under penalty of perjury by a parent, guardian or caretaker relative.
NOTE: The affidavit may be signed by a parent who is an undocumented non-citizen. The CAO must ask for proof of identity for the undocumented parent, but if the parent cannot provide it, the affidavit must still be accepted.
NOTE: If the parent, guardian or caretaker relative is unwilling or unable to sign the affidavit, a representative of the county may sign the affidavit when legal custody has been transferred to the Children and Youth Agency or when the child is under court-ordered placement through the Juvenile Probation Office.
NOTE: An affidavit for identification of children under age 16 does not have to be signed again at each renewal of benefits.
NOTE: A child who turns age 16 whose identity was proven with an affidavit does not need to show any other proof of identity.
When an affidavit is used as proof of citizenship, another affidavit cannot be used as proof of identity.
An IMCW may be a witness to an affidavit in a face-to-face interview but not to a mailed-in affidavit.
An affidavit does not need to be notarized.
NOTE: An affidavit cannot be used to prove identity for a permanent resident non-citizen or an undocumented non-citizen. Affidavits are only to be used to prove identity for U.S. citizens.
Updated February 14, 2012, Replacing October 28, 2008