Non-Financial Requirements

502 Eligible Alien Status


Overview

An individual who is not a U.S. citizen or a U.S. National must have their alienClosed A legal alien is a person lawfully residing in the United States of America who is not a citizen. A legal alien may not necessarily have permanent residence status. An illegal alien is a person present in the United States of America in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. status verified to be included in the assistance unitClosed Those members of the filing unit who are eligible to receive benefits.. The State agency must give the householdClosed People who buy and prepare food together. Spouses, parents, and children who live together are usually counted as the same household. the option of withdrawing its applicationClosed Filing a signed Application for Assistance via paper application or through the self-service portal of the eligibility system to establish eligibility and assign a review period. or participating without a household member if that individual does not wish the State agency to verify his/her immigration status. State agencies cannot deny benefits to otherwise eligibleClosed Having met the qualifications to receive a SNAP benefit by meeting the specified nonfinancial and financial requirements of eligibility. household members because other members have chosen not to disclose their citizenship, immigration status, or Social Security number.

 

Household members that “opt out” are considered non-applicants and are ineligibleClosed Not qualified to receive benefits because of not meeting one or more of the specified nonfinancial or financial requirements of eligibility. for SNAP. Alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, and students who enter the U.S. temporarily with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country are not eligible for SNAP benefits under any circumstances.

 


References: 7 CFR 273.1(b)(7)(i); 7 CFR 273.2(b)(1)(iii); 7 CFR 273.2(f)(1)(ii); 7 CFR 273.4; 7 CFR 273.11(c)(3); Section 11(e)(15) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (Enacted June 3, 2023); Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024.

Revised: 5/16/2025

Policy last updated in Release 25.1.

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