States Ask for Citizenship from Welfare Recipients

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Michigan is one of the few states that gives health care coverage automatically to children and adults on welfare.

But there's a catch: Proof of citizenship is required.

Michigan and Nebraska appear to be the only states so far that won't give cash assistance unless proof of citizenship is shown.

Some states require applicants to show a birth certificate or Social Security number. But they allow applicants to sign an affidavit of citizenship if they can't provide the documents.

The proof of citizenship requirements are being promoted as a way to keep people in the country illegally from getting government assistance. But they go beyond having to show a driver's license or proving that -- as a foreign resident -- a person is in the country legally.

___

On the Net:

Michigan League for Human Services: http://www.milhs.org

Michigan Department of Human Services: http://www.michigan.gov/dhs