J. Timeframes for Submitting Evidence of Citizenship/Immigration Status to the Owner

1. Applicants must submit required documentation of citizenship/immigration status no later than the date the owner initiates verification of other eligibility factors. Because of the prohibition against delaying assistance to obtain verification of citizenship/immigration status, owners are advised to implement procedures to verify eligible immigration status in advance of other verification efforts.

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2. If the applicant cannot supply the documentation within the owner’s specified timeframe, the owner may grant the applicant an extension of not more than 30 days, but only if the applicant certifies that the documentation is temporarily unavailable and additional time is needed to collect and submit the required documentation. Although the extension period may not exceed 30 days, the owner may establish a shorter extension period based on the circumstances of the individual case.

3. The owner must inform the applicant in writing if an extension request is granted or denied. If the request is granted, the owner must include the new deadline for submitting the documentation. If the request is denied, the owner must state the reasons for the denial in the written response. When granting or rejecting extensions owners must treat applicants consistently.

• K. Prohibition Against Delay of Assistance

  1. Owners may not delay the family’s assistance if the family submitted its immigration documentation in a timely manner but the DHS verification or appeals process has not been completed.

     • a. If a unit is available, the family has come to the top of the waiting list, and at least one member of the family has been determined to be eligible, the owner must offer the family a unit. The owner must provide assistance to the family member determined to be eligible and to those family members that submitted their immigration documents on time. If any family members did not provide the required immigration documentation, then the assistance for the family must be prorated.

     • b. Because of the prohibition against delaying assistance to family members who have provided the required immigration documentation in a timely manner, owners are advised to implement procedures to verify eligible immigration status in advance of other verification efforts.

     • c. Owners continue to provide assistance to those family members who submitted their immigration documentation in a timely manner until their immigration status has been verified.

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