You'll need to bring certain documents when you apply for benefits. Collect these documents and make sure they are up to date before you apply. If you do not have all the necessary documents when you apply for a program, the application process will be delayed.

Many programs require the same documents, so make sure you get your documents back after you've applied for a program. Keep all your important documents in the same place, so that you'll know where to find them when you need them.

Many documents can be used to prove more than one thing. For example, you can use a birth certificate or a passport to prove your identity, your age, and your citizenship.

Described in this section are all the different documents and forms that you can use to prove address, age, child and dependent care expenses, child's immunization, citizenship or immigration status, household expenses, household income, identity, loss of income, residency history, resources, social security number, unemployment, and unexpected expenses.