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Issue Alert - 05-10-03
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| Date: |
Oct 11, 2005 |
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| Issue Summary: |
Clarification of Michigan residency requirements |
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| Persons Affected: |
Individuals applying for benefits who need to show that they are Michigan residents |
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| For More Information: |
Center for Civil Justice320 S. Washington, 2nd Floor Saginaw, MI 48607 (989) 755-3120, (800)724-7441 Fax: (989) 755-3558E-mail: info@ccj-mi.org |
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Background |
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All Programs - PEM 220, 225 |
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What's Happening? |
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| For FIP, SDA, MA and AMP, DHS is to accept an individual's statements of intent to remain in Michigan unless they are inconsistent or conflict with known facts. However, for MA only, if the person indicates an intent to remain in Michigan, but his/her official BCIS documents indicate a temporary or time-limited period to the visit, the person will not meet the "intent to remain" requirements, unless the client verifies that official steps are being taken with BCIS to apply for lawful permanent resident status.In order to verify someone's residence, DHS can accept:• Driver's license• Other ID which provides a name and address• Mortgage or rent receipt• Utility bill• Collateral contact with a person who knows the client's livingarrangementAs verification that the person does NOT have the intent to stay in Michigan, for MA Only, a person’s BCIS documents indicating the person entered for a temporary or time-limited period is verification that the person does not intend to remain in Michigan, unless the person verifies that official steps are being taken with BCIS to apply for lawful permanent resident status. Some acceptable verification sources of a job commitment or intent to seek employment include: * Department of Labor and Economic Growth work registration; * Statement from employer, pay stubs, job offer letter, employment contract, employee work schedule, verification of employment form, FIA-38; * An official BCIS document that does not indicate that the person is prohibited from working. For example: I-551, Resident Alien Card, I-766 Employment Authorization Card | ||
What Should Advocates Do? |
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Share this information with clients and other agencies. |
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What Should Clients Do? |
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If you were wrongly denied benefits because of residency requirements, you can request a hearing and/or re-apply. (see below). |
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Finding Help |
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| Most legal aid and legal services offices handle these types of cases, and they do not charge a fee.You can locate various sources of legal and related services, including the free legal aid office that serves your county, at MichiganLegalAid.org.You can also look in the yellow pages under "attorneys" or call the toll-free lawyer referral number, (800) 968-0738. | ||
