The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) have issued policy guidance clarifying when states may or may not request information about citizenship, immigration status, and Social Security numbers on applications for Medicaid, SCHIP, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and food stamp benefits. The policy guidance, consisting of a letter and set of questions and answers, also discusses the circumstances under which states may or may not deny benefits when an applicant does not provide the requested information. For more information visit:

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/nationalorigin/bifsltr.html

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/immigration/spanish/