Food stamps/ SNAP (immig. elig.)

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SNAP Benefits: Resources for Massachusetts Immigrants

MLRI
Many low-income Massachusetts immigrants are eligible for federal SNAP food benefits. MLRI, Greater Boston Legal Services, and La Colaborativa have 2-page FAQs in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to share with your clients.    See the FeedingOurNeighborsMA.org resources page for…

Income/Food Benefits and Immigrant Eligibility: Chart on Eligible Statuses

Pat Baker, MLRI & Naomi Meyer, GBLS
Cash and food stamp/SNAP eligibility chart by immigration status for Massachusetts residents.

FAQ: Cash and Food Assistance Benefits for Low-Income Haitians (English and Haitian Creole)

MLRI & GBLS
Many low-income nationals of Haiti and Cuba qualify for cash and food assistance and health care coverage. These FAQS in English and Haitian Creole briefly describe the food and cash assistance benefits available for Haitians. This includes new arrivals granted humanitarian parole (of any duration),…

Immigration updates in light of COVID-19

MLRI
Click the "go to website" link below to access a google document maintained by Mass Law Reform Institute with the latest information for attorneys and advocates.

DTA's Brochure "What Non-Citizens Need to Know" in English and 7 Translations

DTA
DTA Brochure, What Noncitizens Need To Know.  This brochure was originally issued in 2004 (through DTA Field Operations Memo 2004-34). This brochure is designed to advise non-citizens of their right to opt out of a SNAP and TAFDC or EAEDC application if they did not want to give…

Immigrants and Public Benefits Information from the National Immigration Law Center

National Immigration Law Center
 Information from NILC about eligibility and other rules governing immigrants’ access to federal and state public benefits programs, including SSI.

Hotline 10/14: SNAP noncitizen applicants

DTA
From the Hotline If you have any questions on this column or other policy and procedural material, please have your Hotline designee call the Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478. Q. 1. I have an EAEDC client who is a noncitizen with Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status. I understand that generally…

Hotline 4/14: Less than 5 years LPR status and SNAP

DTA
Q. 1. My SNAP applicant is an 18-year-old who is also a noncitizen. She currently lives alone after recently separating from her spouse and moving out of her father’s home. Her father entered the country 12 years ago with an LPR status and my SNAP applicant entered the country with an LPR…

When Is It Safe To Use Public Benefits (Public Charge Guidance)

National Immigration Law Center
Several overviews, in English and Spanish.

Ops Memo 2013-44: TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP - Temporary Protective Status (TPS) Extension for El Salvador

DTA
Introduction The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may designate a foreign country for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because conditions in that country temporarily prevent its nationals from returning safely. TPS is a temporary immigration status, authorized under Section 244 of the…

Hotline 10/11: citizenship verification, noncitizen, LPR,

DTA
Q. When do I request verification of U.S. citizenship? A. Verification of citizenship is required for SNAP and TAFDC clients only when the information is questionable. For more information, see 106 CMR 362.210 in SNAP and 106 CMR 203.670 in the TAFDC Program. Also, please remember that…

USDA Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility -- SNAP

USDA
USDA Guidance of 2011 about SNAP policy on non-citizen eligiblity for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). See a more recent USDA summary of non-citizen eligibility from December 2013.

USDA Guidance -- Clarification on SNAP Eligibility for Haitians Granted Temporary Protected Status

USDA
Finding that Haitian nationals granted TPS do not meet the definition of Haitian entrant and therefore are not qualified aliens eligible for SNAP (food stamp) benefits.  However, iff the household consists of a mixture of eligible U.S. citizens, eligible qualified aliens, or persons with…

Field Ops Memo 2010-19: TAFDC and SNAP: Elimination of the Eligibility Time Limit for Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants

DTA
Overview Field Operations Memo 2009-36 advised TAO staff about Federal legislation that allowed Iraqi and Afghan noncitizens with special immigrant status eligibility for certain public assistance programs, including TAFDC and SNAP, for a period not to exceed eight months from the date the…

Iraqi & Afghan Legal Permanent Residents with Special Immigrant Visas Eligible for SNAP & Federal Benefits Without 5 Year Wait

MLRI
On December 26th, 2007. President Bush signed an Omnibus Appropriations Act that included language (Section 525) authorizing a limited time period of refugee benefits for immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan who entered as legal permanent residents with Special Immigrant Visas (SI-1) rather than…

SNAP Benefits Not Subject to Public Charge

USDA
In 2010, USDA sent a letter to states confirming that food stamps/SNAP does not create a "public charge" problem for immigrants. Attached is a letter from FNS Under Secretary Kevin Concannon to DTA Commissioner Julia Kehoe confirming federal policy that SNAP benefits do not make an…

Hotline Focus 12/09

DTA
Q. An individual came in to apply for benefits today. He is a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) who has been residing in the U.S. since 2007. As an LPR, he meets the EAEDC noncitizen requirements as described in 106 CMR 320.620. He has also applied for SNAP. As a 65-year-old with an LPR noncitizen…

Field Ops Memo 2008-65: Changes to Sponsor Deeming Requirements for TAFDC, EAEDC and SNAP (PA or NPA) Households

DTA
Due to TAFDC funding changes and the expansion of categorical eligibility, DTA has been able to relax and simplify sponsor deeming regulations.  Effective 12/15/2008,there will no longer be sponsor deeming in the TAFDC Program and SNAP sponsor deeming regulations will be amended. Fewer…

SNAP-- Policy Household Member's Name Differs from the Name Contained on the Income Statement Used to Verify Income

USDA
Attached is an 11/13/08 memo from Art Foley of USDA instructing the mid-Atlantic region (and rest of the country) that they should accept as verification of income the paystubs of an immigrant working under the name and SSN of another individual. USDA instructs states that income verification used…

Hotline Focus 11/08

DTA
SNAP: eligibility of children of naturalized citizen when children born outside U.S.; TAFDC: online training course for college credit and the work program requirement.

Hotline Focus 07/08

DTA
Who counts as a licensed medical professional for purposes of the form verifying disability of noncitizen elder on Food Stamps; expedited Food Stamps still requires inquiry about assets for individuals who fit into new categorical eligibility categories.

Food Stamp Disability Verification for Elderly Noncitizens (English and Spanish) (FS-DVEN)

DTA
DTA form for elderly noncitizens to verify disability so as to become eligible for Food Stamps (if they are not otherwise eligible).

Field Ops Memo 2008-28: Food Stamp Disability Verification for Elderly Noncitizens Receiving EAEDC

DTA
There are about 2,000 EAEDC noncitizen elders who are not getting food stamps because of the federal 5-year bar. These elders can now qualify for food stamps if a doctor verifies that the individual has a severe mental or physical impairment that will last 12 months or result in death and prevents…

FYI: expired immigration documents

An FYI to DTA staff on expired immigration documents, explaining that an expired document does NOT mean expired immigration status!!

Quality Corner: Calculating Food Stamp benefits for households with mixed immigrations statuses; Determining medical expense ded

DTA
What case workers should do when some members of a household are eligible immigrants and some are ineligible immigrants for Food Stamp purposes; How case workers should determine and enter medical expenses.

FYI: TAFDC and FS Eligibility for Battered Noncitizens

DTA
Immigrants do NOT have to self-petition under VAWA to be eligible for benefits as a battered noncitizen. If the person immigrated through a spouse or parent and are battered, they are eligible. The FYI explains how to figure out if an immigrant has any of the qualifying immigration statuses.

Hotline Focus - 6/07

DTA
Battered noncitizens: verifying status for TAFDC and Food Stamps; eligibility for Food Stamps.

Field Ops Memo 2007-26: Food Stamp Calculation for Legal Permanent Residents Who do not Provide Sponsor Deeming Information

DTA
This Field Operations memo issues procedures for processing Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) who have resided in the U.S. as a qualified noncitizen or five years but who do not provide sponsor deeming information; and describes a report that identifies  AUs requiring AU Manager review to determine…

Hotline Focus - 2/07

DTA
Relocation benefits: eligibility by type of shelter, eligibility by type of housing being moved into, and what the benefits can be used to pay for; TAFDC and Food Stamp eligibility when the adult is an eligible alien but the child is an ineligible alien.

Hotline Focus - 12/06

DTA
TAFDC: Caring for a disabled family member exemption redetermination and conseqences; TAFDC and Food Stamps when only child in household is ineligible immigrant; Food Stamps: gift cards not countable.

Hotline Focus - 5/06

DTA
Correction to Q and A on funeral benefits from April 2006; citizenship status of children of naturalized citizens; calculating 5 year period of ineligibility for certain qualified noncitizens.

Hotline Focus - 3/06

DTA
Food Stamps: Legal Permanent Residents in the country less than five years who are eligible for Food Stamps; citizenship verification.

Field Ops Memo 2005-42: TAFDC, EAEDC, FS and EA - Proper Use of "Alternative" SSN Identifiers

DTA
There are three types of “Alternative” SSN identifiers used by the Department to identify recipients who cannot be identified with valid SSNs. The first two numbers of these “Alternative” SSNs are always “99.”

Field Ops Memo 2005-22: Battered Immigrant Eligibility for Food Stamps and TANF benefits

DTA
This is very comprehensive guidance designed to advise DTA workers on how to handle applications from battered non-citizens and their children. DTA drafted this guidance with the extensive input from MLRI and Greater Boston Legal Services. Also attached is an MLRI summary of important points…

Quality Corner: Immigration status and the Legal Food Stamp Disqualified tab on Beacon

Department of Transitional Assistance
Reminds case workers how to determine immigrant eligibility for Food Stamps, and explains how the Legal Food Stamp Disqualified tab on Beacon should be used.

MLRI Report: A Closer Look at Immigrant Access Barriers in the Massachusetts Food Stamp Program: APPENDICES

Sample client outreach fliers, in English, Spanish and Portuguese; eligibility charts and sample correspondence on access issues.

MLRI Report: A Closer Look at Immigrant-Access Barriers in the Massachusets Food Stamp Program

MLRI
Detailed report by Emerson National Hunger Fellow Katy Mastman tracking immigrant access to food stamps and barriers. Report includes individual case descriptions, analysis of federal and state policies affecting access and specific recommendations to USDA and DTA to improve access barriers. Report…

FYI: Food Stamp Work Requirements and Refugee Training

DTA
Refugees participating at least half time in a recognized refugee training program are exempt from Food Stamp work requirements. Students enrolled half time in a recognized training program are also exempt.

Field Op 2004-34: TAFDC and Food Stamp Processing Guidelines for Noncitizen Applications

DTA
DTA Overview:  Consistent with the Agency’s mission to serve all clients with dignity and  respect, the Department of Transitional Assistance reviewed its procedures for  processing TAFDC and FS applications, particularly applications from  households with…

Food Stamps for Legal Immigrants: MIRA Coalition Q&A on Who's Eligible

Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition

Field Op 2003-27: Farm Bill of 2002 :10/1/2003 Restoration of Food Stamp Benefits to Qualified Noncitizen Children Under 18 Yea

DTA
Effective October 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restores food stamp eligibility to qualified noncitizen children under 18 years old, regardless of their date of entry into the United States (see 106 CMR 362.220(A)). In addition, beginning October 1, 2003, eligible children will be exempt from…

Hotline Focus for 06/03

DTA
Treatment of earned income of undocumented and documented immigrants not on grant in FS and TAFDC programs;  pre-paid calling card not a utility for FS SUA purposes.

Field Op 2003-07C : Farm Bill 2002: 4/1/2003 Food Stamp Noncitizen Restoration Part III

DTA
Effective April 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restored food stamp eligibility to Legal Permanent Residents and other qualified noncitizens as defined in 106 CMR 362.240 who have lived in the United States for five years or longer. Based on BEACON noncitizen information, 1,630 noncitizens (former…

DTA Non-Citizen Desk Guide

DTA
DTA chart listing the immigration statuses and verifications required for EAEDC, TAFDC and Food Stamp benefits.

Field Op 2003-07A : Farm Bill 2002: 4/1/2003 Food Stamp Noncitizen Restoration and Sponsor Deeming Rules

DTA
This Field Operations memo:

Field Op 2003-07B : Farm Bill 2002: 4/1/2003 Food Stamp Noncitizen Restoration Part II

DTA
This Field Operations Memo: · Discusses the BEACON automatic restoration of noncitizens into existing FS AUs; · Transmits a copy of the notice (Attachment A) that will be sent to the existing FS AUs that contain noncitizens automatically opened for federal food stamp benefits; and…

Field Op 2003-07 : Farm Bill 2002: 4/1/2003 Food Stamp Noncitizen Restoration

DTA
Effective April 1, 2003, the Farm Bill restores food stamp eligibility to qualified noncitizens as defined in 106 CMR 362.240 who have lived in the United States for five years or longer.

Field Op 2003-04 : Elimination of the State Food Stamp Program (SSFSP) for Immigrants

DTA
Budget shortfalls caused the Department to implement a funding reduction for the SSFSP in May 2002. Since then, eligible SSFSP participants received full benefits for July 2002, and partial benefits for August 2002. Because the Department has depleted all funding for the current fiscal year, the…

Hotline Focus for 02/03

DTA
 FS: How to count escrowed tax payments for homeowners' shelter deduction; FS: Methods of determining whether a job meets the work requirement; FS: Coding of undocumented immigrants. 

Field Op 2002-20: Food Stamp Farm Bill of 2002: Disabled Noncitizens

DTA
One of the provisions of the Food stamp Fram Bill of 2002 is the restoration of food stamp eligibility to qualified noncitizens who are otherwise eligible and who are receiving or are certified to receive disaiblity benefits regardless of the date of entry into the U.S.