PRUCOL for FC Children

Only citizens of the United States (and U.S. territories such as American Samoa or the American Virgin Islands) and certain categories of aliens are eligible for federal or non-federal Foster Care (EAS 42-431.2).

When the USCIS is aware of the presence of an undocumented immigrant and has done nothing to deport; her or he may be considered a PRUCOL. USCIS does not recognize PRUCOL as a real or implied legal alien status, so no immigration benefits result from it. Rather, PRUCOL is a public benefits eligibility category. A PRUCOL child/youth is eligible for non-federal AFDC-FC.

The USCIS no longer responds to requests to verify whether a non-citizen falls under a PRUCOL category. Furthermore, it is no longer necessary to verify PRUCOL status at annual redetermination for beneficiaries who claimed the last PRUCOL category on the MC 13.

Effective May 1, 2018, USCIS will no longer accept paper G-845 or G-845 Supplement forms. Also, counties that do submit G-845 forms after 5/1/18 will be subject to a financial penalty. As a result, Foster Care EW will no longer request or submit G-845 forms from Social Workers/Probation Officers to claim PRUCOL status for a foster care child or youth.

Verification Requirements

A “Statement of Citizenship, Alienage, and Immigration Status” form (MC 13) must be completed for all noncitizens. A copy of the MC 13 must be retained in imaging. The MC 13 is completed by the Social Worker or JPD.

Redeterminations

Redetermination of the PRUCOL status is not necessary therefore the redetermination process follows the FC eligibility policy outlined in Foster Care Redeterminations.

Related Topics

Residence/Refugee/Alienage/PRUCOL