TRAINING SERIES WIA General Eligibility WIA Workforce Investment Act

ELIGIBILITY To participate in WIA programs, all participants, adults, dislocated workers, and youth, must meet general eligibility requirements and provide acceptable documentation.

General Eligibility Requirements Age at time of registration/participation [Act 101(1) and 20 CFR ] Citizenship or Authorization to Work [Act 188(a)(5)] Selective Service Registrant (if applicable) [Act 189(f)]

Adults and Dislocated workers must be at least 18 at the time of participation. Youth must be 14 – 21 at the time of participation. AGE REQUIREMENTS

Examples of Age Documentation This eligibility item must be verified with appropriate documentation. Examples: Birth certificate, hospital birth record, baptismal record Government-issued identity card/passport See WIA Guide for more detail.

Citizenship/Authorization to Work Requirement WIA limits program participation to Citizens of the United States Nationals of the United States Lawfully-admitted permanent resident aliens Lawfully-admitted refugees, asylees, and parolees Other immigrants authorized by the U.S. Attorney General to work in the U.S.

Verification of Citizenship or Work Authorization The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) provides guidance on documentation required to verify citizenship or work authorization. Examples: U.S. Passport/Passport Card U.S. or US Territory Birth Certificate Native American Tribal Document Permanent Resident Card or Alien Registration Form Original Social Security Card (that does not specify that the card does not authorize employment in the U.S.) Other documents listed on Form I-9 issued by USCIS See WIA Guide for more detail.

Examples of Right to Work Documentation CITIZENSHIP OR AUTHORIZATION TO WORK --continued Documentation specified on the I-9 form Completed and Signed I-9 Form Telephone Verification Applicant Statement Other Applicable Documentation, (specify)

Selective Service Males born on or after January 1, 1960 must register with the selective service system within 30 days after their 18 th birthday or at least before they reach the age of 26. Local boards must ensure that documentation is recorded in the State MIS to support the participant’s selective service status. If a participant’s status is marked non-applicable (N/A), a case note should be entered which explains the reason(s). Note: This is an eligibility item which could lead to potential disallowed costs if not documented correctly.

Selective Service Registration Noncompliance Regional Workforce Boards (RWBs) need to have a local procedure for determining and documenting non-registrants who are 26 or older and have not registered with the Selective Service. These procedures should require the documentation of:  Age and non-registration AND  The fact that the individual’s failure to register was not knowing or willful. Documentation provided should be maintained in the applicant’s file. See TEGL for more detail.

Verification of Selective Service Registration Examples:  Various Selective Service Records  Stamped Post Office Receipt of Registration  Internet See WIA Guide for more detail.

VETERANS PRIORITY OF SERVICE States and local areas are required to provide priority of service for veterans and eligible spouses. [20 CFR part 1010]

VETERANS PRIORITY OF SERVICE Priority of service to veterans and other covered persons in qualified job training programs covered by this regulation means the right to take precedence over non-covered persons in obtaining services. Taking precedence may mean: The covered person receives access to the service or resource earlier in time than the non-covered person; or If the service or resource is limited, the covered person receives access to the service or resource instead of or before the non-covered person.

VETERANS PRIORITY OF SERVICE The implementation of priority of service does not change the intended function of a program or service. Covered persons must meet all statutory eligibility and program requirements for participation in order to receive priority for a program or service.

Questions or Additional Information  Isabelle Potts, Government Operations Consultant II Telephone Number: (850)  Corey McCaster, Government Operations Consultant II Telephone Number: (850)