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​Deficit Reduction Act 2005 - Citizenship Requirements

On February 8, 2005, President Bush signed into law the DRA which made certain changes to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) law. One of those changes was the requirement for individuals declaring to be U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals to show documentary evidence of this fact as well as proof of identity. This website contains information on both the state and federal law regarding this requirement and the implementation of this requirement in California.

DRA Outreach Materials

DRA Historical Information

All County Welfare Directors Letters (ACWDL)

  • The purpose of this All County Welfare Director's Letter (ACWDL 07-12) is to provide counties with instructions for implementing the new requirements of the federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) for documentation of United States (U.S.) citizenship or U.S. national status and identity as a condition of Medi-Cal eligibility for applicants and beneficiaries who declare that they are U.S. citizens or nationals.
  • The purpose of this All County Welfare Director's Letter (ACWDL 08-29) is ​to provide counties with updated information and instructions for implementing the Medi-Cal citizenship and identity requirements under the Federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA).
  • ACWDL 09-65 
    Social Security​ Number Data Match for Verification of Citizenship and Identity for Purposes of Medi-Cal Eligibility
  • ACWDL 08-54
    Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and State-Only programs
  • ACWDL 08-44
    Translated Medi-Cal Notices of Action for the Citizenship/Identity Requirements of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
  • ACWDL 08-25
    Procedure for Processing Evidence of Citizenship Documents for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program in Compliance with the Federal Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005
  • ACWDL 08-03
    Notices of Action for the Requirement to Provide Evidence of Citizenship/National Status and Identity as a Condition of Medi-Cal Eligibility
Last modified date: 8/26/2022 8:37 AM