CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

What is an alien registration number?
Non-citizen immigrant applicants must present
documentation from USCIS that contains an alien
registration number. This number (“A”) number,
references that individual’s file with USCIS. Each
“A” number is unique to each person, even minors
and infants. The number contains seven, eight or
nine digits preceded by the letter ”A”. New seven
digit numbers are no longer being issued.
See Alien Registration Numbers for LEADER
procedures.
How is an applicant/participant informed about
the information available through SAVE?
The applicant/participant must be notified at intake
and at redetermination that the information
available through SAVE will be requested and
utilized. This requirement is the same as the
IEVS notification. The SAWS 2 contains sufficient
information to notify all cash aid applicants and
participants of the use of SAVE, which includes
the following:
• The immigration status of applicant noncitizen
will be verified with USCIS through
SAVE.
• Such verification will require the disclosure to
USCIS of certain information.
• Information received from USCIS may affect
their eligibility and benefit level.
What if the non-citizen applicant does not
have acceptable USCIS documentation?
Non-citizens are required to obtain and provide
acceptable USCIS documentation. Non-citizen
applicants who do not have acceptable USCIS
documentation are responsible for obtaining it for
themselves and must be given the address of the
nearest USCIS office.