New Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility

This memorandum transmitted new guidance on determining eligibility for non-citizens (PDF 281KB) under the 2002 Farm Bill to all FNS regional offices for forwarding to State food stamp agencies.

2 January 2003

Over the next year, food stamp eligibility will be restored to several groups of qualified aliens as a result of changes made in the 2002 Farm Bill. While these changes go a long way in simplifying eligibility for legal immigrants, the rules remain complex. To ensure everyone has an understanding of these rules, we have developed a comprehensive guidance package that covers the basic requirements of non-citizen eligibility in the Food Stamp Program. We appreciate Connie Slough’s hard work in pulling this document together. Please forward this document to your State agencies as soon as possible.

The restoration of food stamp eligibility to qualified legal immigrants will again provide access to nutritional assistance for some 400,000 legal immigrants who lost eligibility under the 1996 Welfare Reforms. We realize these restorations are coming at a time when most State agencies are facing severe budget deficits. We remain committed to working closely with State agencies to provide any technical assistance that is needed to ensure legal immigrants receive the benefits they are entitled to receive in a timely manner.

Please let us know immediately of any problems your State agencies are experiencing in making these restorations or of any further assistance we can provide. Please direct any questions you or your staff might have to your regional representative in Certification Policy Branch.

/s/ Patrick Waldron for

Arthur T. Foley
Director
Program Development Division

cc:
Lou Pastura, PAD
Steve Carlson, OANE

Attachment (PDF 281KB)

Last modified: 11/21/2008