Changes in the Food Stamp Program Make More Legal Immigrants Eligible for Benefits

I am not a United States citizen. Can I get food stamps?

• You may be eligible now if you are a legal permanent resident and you have been in the United States in qualified status for 5 years. People who came to the United States as refugees and some types of immigrants are eligible right away.  You may also be eligible if you are a legal permanent resident, and (1) you are now receiving disability payments or (2) if you, your spouse, or  your parents, have a record of working in the United States for 10 years.  (The food stamp office will be able to help determine if you have worked the required amount of time.)  Starting Oct. 1, 2003, children with qualified status will be eligible as soon as they get this status.

• On May 13, 2002, President Bush signed a law – the "Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002" that will allow more low-income non-citizen and legal immigrants to receive food stamps if they meet the Food Stamp Program’s income and resource requirements.

• Some legal immigrants affected by the 2002 law will be eligible to receive food stamp benefits as early as Oct. 1, 2002, but most will not be eligible until later. The information below explains more about when eligibility starts.
  
• The 2002 law allows eligibility for legal immigrants who meet the program’s requirements, AND who:

-- are receiving disability benefits (such as SSI or disability-related Medicaid) (eligibility for this group started Oct. 1, 2002);
-- have lived in the United States for 5 years in a qualified status (eligibility for this group started April 1, 2003); or
-- are under 18 years old and entered the United States after Aug. 22, 1996 (eligibility for this group starts Oct. 1, 2003).

• Qualified immigrants include lawful permanent residents (holders of green cards), refugees, asylees, people granted withholding of deportation or removal, Cuban/Haitian entrants, individuals who have received INS parole in the United States for a least one year, conditional entrants, and certain victims of domestic violence.

• No. Everyone who was eligible before continues to be eligible now.

• Yes. As a result of the 2002 law, there will no longer be a seven-year limit on food stamps for refugees, asylees, Amerasians, and Cuban or Haitian entrants. Beginning on April 1, 2003, these non-citizens are eligible as long as they qualify for the program based on income and resources.

• No. You have to be receiving benefits or assistance from a program, such as Medicaid, because you are blind or disabled.

• Yes. You will not have to provide documents about yourself when you apply for your children or other eligible persons in your household. However, you will still have to show proof of your income and resources so the worker can determine the amount of the food stamp benefits for them.

• No. Receiving food stamps does not make an immigrant a "public charge" – meaning an immigrant to the United States will not be deported, denied entry to the country, or denied permanent status or a "green card" because he or she receives food stamps.

• To get food stamps, you have to file an application at your local food stamp office, which is usually located with the local welfare office.
  
• To get more information, please call your local food stamp office listed in the blue pages of the phone book under "social services department" or "welfare department" or call the national toll-free number at 1-800-221-5689.
  
• Spanish-speaking operators are available at the national toll-free number.