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Information for Immigrants & Non-U.S.
Citizens
Yes! Immigrants and non-U.S. citizens can get food stamps if they are any one of the following when they apply:
√ Lawful permanent residents
(LPRs) in possession of a green card;
√ Refugees;
√ Asylees;
√ People granted withholding
of deportation or removal;
√ Cuban/Haitian entrants;
√ Individuals who have
received INS parole in the United States for
at least one year;
√ Conditional entrants;
or
√ Certain victims of domestic
violence or trafficking.
and one of the following:
| *Note: The Income Maintenance Administration is committed to keeping your information confidential and not sharing information with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) [formerly the Immigration and Naturalization Service, or INS]. |
• Children under 18 years of age regardless
of when they entered the US;
• LPR’s who have lived in the U.S.
for 5 or more years;
• LPRs with 40 qualifying quarters of
work;
• Blind or disabled individuals receiving
benefits or assistance for their condition
regardless of when they entered the country;
• Veterans or active duty service members
(Their spouse, unmarried surviving spouse,
and unmarried
children under 21 are included); or
• Elderly individuals born on or before August
22, 1931 who were legally living in the U.S.
on August 22, 1996.
FAQs
- Can I get food stamps if I am undocumented but my child is a citizen?
- Will receiving food stamps make me a "public charge"?
- What if I don't speak English?
- Where can I get more information?
1.
Can I get food stamps if I am undocumented
but
my child is a citizen?
YES. You will not have to provide documents
about yourself when you apply for your children
or other eligible persons in your household.
You will have to provide the IMA with all
of the required documentation for any citizen
(identification, social security number, etc.)
If you are undocumented and the IMA asks you
about your own immigration status, you do
NOT have to answer that question. Although
you will be considered ineligible for food
stamps you will still have to show proof of
your income and resources so the Social Service
Representative can determine the amount of
the food stamp benefits for them. If you do
not get pay stubs at your job, you can prove
your income with a letter from your employer
or a phone call between the food stamp office
and your employer. If your employer will not
cooperate, a letter or phone call from a co-worker
or even a sworn statement from yourself should
be enough. The IMA cannot turn down your application
for lack of proof as long as you are cooperating.
2.
Will receiving food stamps make me a "public
charge"?
NO. If you are an immigrant receiving
food stamps you are not a “public
charge” – meaning you will
not be deported, denied entry to the
country, or denied permanent status
or a green card because you receive
food stamps. Furthermore, if you already
have a green card you cannot lose it
if you get food stamps.
3.
What if I don't speak English?
That’s OK. There are options for people
who do not speak English or who are uncomfortable
speaking English. The IMA must provide
a free interpreter for over
185 languages. You can also request a bilingual
case worker. There are
also community organizations that can assist
you with the application process in your native
language.
Immigration status and food stamp eligibility is very complicated and can often only be determined on a case-by-case basis, so contact the IMA for help!
4.
Where can I get more information?
Download the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Food
and
Nutrition
Services
report: Non-Citizen
Requirement in the Food Stamp Program
Other resources:
National Immigration Law Center: Public
Benefits, Food and Nutrition Programs
The Food Research and Action Center: Food Stamps for Legal Immigrants Resource Center
