Family Support

Citizenship Assistance

The New Citizen Program (NCP) provides funding to 14 community-based organizations which help lower-income individuals apply for U.S. citizenship and prepare for the English and U.S. history and civics tests required. NCP also provides technical and legal assistance through the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. The technical and legal assistance includes: 1) training and/or community information sessions on naturalization for NCP agencies and members of the immigrant and refugee communities, and 2) assistance with legal issues, appeals, disability waivers, and representation at naturalization interviews to resolve naturalization application issues.

U.S. citizenship provides:

• the right to vote;
• a U.S. passport;
• family reunification;
• access to public benefits, employment and educational opportunities;
• parents the ability to get citizenship for their children; and
• families the opportunity to stay together.

NCP serves Seattle low-income parents and individuals eligible for U.S. citizenship. Most services are bilingual and tailored to the specific needs of the participants including people who are elderly, not literate in their home language or have very limited English skills.

NCP was launched by the City of Seattle in response to the 1996 national welfare and immigration reform legislation limiting non-citizens’ access to public benefits. NCP has served more than 11,400 immigrants and refugees since it was launched in 1997. Today, the program serves about 1,600 people per year.

Funding for this program is provided by the City of Seattle, Seattle Housing Authority, and the Department of Social and Health Services. City allocations to the nonprofit, community-based organizations providing these services are determined through a competitive process that is conducted by the Seattle Human Services Department at least once every four years. Continued funding during funding cycles depends upon program performance and funding availability. In 2011-2012, the total approximate funding allocation is $746,010.

Eligibility and Applications

To find out if you are eligible for services, contact any of the NCP server providers. Citizenship applications can also be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Web site

Information

In partnership with the Seattle Public Library, NCP sponsored the “Guide to Naturalization”, a booklet that answers some of the most common questions about naturalization, provides study materials for the naturalization exam, and lists organizations that help with citizenship or offer English as a Second Language classes. It has been translated into 13 languages and is available at the Washington Law Help Web page.

For more information about Seattle Human Services Department-funded services for children and families, call Michael Mathewson at 206-386-1017 or e-mail childrenandfamilies@seattle.gov.

For information about our partners and related programs contact the agencies listed above or the 211 Community Information Line by dialing 211 or 1-800-621-4636.

For more information about housing for low-income Seattle residents, go to the Seattle Housing Authority.

Links

• Current Funding Opportunities
• News

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.