LIHEAP IM 1997-9 Fact Sheet on U.S. Citizenship Requirements

COPIES OF ATTACHMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED THROUGH CALLING THE LIHEAP CLEARINGHOUSE AT (800) 445-5581.

TO:   LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) GRANTEES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

SUBJECT:   Fact Sheet on U.S. Citizenship Requirements

PURPOSE:  To transmit a copy of a fact sheet outlining requirements  for legal permanent residents to become U.S. citizens.

BACKGROUND:      Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) grantees and other interested parties often, in the course of their normal business, come into direct contact with individuals who may be permanent legal residents, but not U.S. citizens.

CONTENT:    Attached is a fact sheet outlining the requirements for permanent legal residents to become U.S. citizens.  It was prepared by the U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service as part of the Presidents naturalization outreach effort.  We encourage grantees and other interested parties who may have occasion to see individuals who may be eligible for U.S. citizenship to make this information available to them.

We are sending this fact sheet to you because we think it might be of interest to you in your overall client service effort.  We continue to advise grantees not to change or add LIHEAP eligibility requirements relating to citizenship or immigration status based on provisions included in the welfare reform law, known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996b (P.L. 104-193).
We are still awaiting guidance from the Department of Justice on whether the provisions of that law relating to immigration status are applicable to LIHEAP.  We will advise you of the guidance from the Department of Justice as soon as we receive it.

ATTACHMENTS:     Fact Sheet: How to Become a United States Citizen

INQUIRIES TO:       Janet M. Fox, Director
                              Division of Energy Assistance
                              Office of Community Services, ACF, HHS
                              370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
                              Washington, D.C.  20447
                              Telephone:  (202) 401-9351




                                       ______________/s_____________
                                       Janet M. Fox
                                       Director
                                       Division of Energy Assistance
                                       Office of Community Services