Can Illegal Immigrants Get Food Stamps? – Undocumented immigrants often face an uphill battle while being in America. Being an illegal or undocumented immigrant means you are not entitled to government benefits that other eligible immigrants access if they are documented legally in America. This also includes food stamps or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Most low-income American households can receive SNAP benefits if they are U.S. citizens and can meet the immigration status requirements. As per USDA, the SNAP eligibility does not extend to illegal or undocumented non-citizens but lawfully present residents. This guide will provide an overview of whether illegal immigrants can receive food stamp benefits and what eligibility criteria immigrants need to fulfill to receive food stamp benefits.
Highlights of this Post
Key Takeaways
- Undocumented immigrants:Not eligible for SNAP (food stamps).
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders):May be eligible after 5 years, with exceptions.
- S. citizen children:Eligible regardless of parents’ status.
- Mixed-status families:S. citizen children can qualify for SNAP benefits.
- Other resources:Food banks, pantries, and nonprofit organizations can help undocumented immigrants.
What Is SNAP?
Formerly known as food stamps the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a popular federal nutrition initiative designed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help low-income households supplement their food and grocery budget.
The participants of the program receive food benefits every month in the form of a card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer card that looks similar to a normal debit card and works in authorized stores and retail outlets. You can double the SNAP benefits in value for fruits and vegetables in particular stores and markets by participating in the Double Up Food Bucks program that offers incentives to SNAP recipients for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Read also: Does Lidl Accept Food Stamps or EBT?
Do Legal Immigrants Apply For Federal Public Benefit Programs?
Only citizens with Lawful Permanent Residency (LPR) status can be eligible for federal public benefit programs but not until they have decided as a legal resident in America for five years. They are also known as green card holders but cannot access full public benefit programs and are subjected to restrictions before being eligible for federal benefits like Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and SNAP.
The limitations include a five-year criteria that requires individuals to maintain the status for five years before being eligible. However the requirement can be bypassed if the recipient has worked 40 quarters under a visa. A few categories of immigrants like refugees, those receiving asylum, victims of domestic violence or human trafficking have the same eligibility criteria for federal benefits like LPR. However individuals on temporary visas or non-immigrants are not eligible.
Compared to U.S. citizens, legal immigrants use federal public assistance programs at a much lower rate. As of 2013, the rate of non-citizens using public benefit programs was much less than in U.S cities. For instance, 32.5% of U.S-born citizens received SNAP benefits compared to 25.4% of naturalized citizen adults and 29% of non-citizen adults.
Apart from a low rate of SNAP usage, immigrants also received lower benefit values. Both undocumented and documented immigrants contribute to support public benefits programs. As per reports of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, undocumented immigrants contribute 11.74 billion annually to local and state economies. However undocumented immigrants are not qualified for federal or state benefits.
Also read: How To Get Emergency Food Stamps
Can Undocumented Immigrants In the USA Get Food Stamps?
Undocumented families and individuals have been in the United States for decades and have not been able to move due to murky immigration laws that are changing with each passing day and this can be a dire situation for elderly people who are over 50 years old. In simple words Undocumented immigrants cannot get SNAP benefits (food stamps) themselves. However, U.S. citizen children in mixed-status families may qualify.
Generally, undocumented immigrants including DCA holders are not eligible for federal public benefits like SNAP, TANF, SSI, housing programs etc. A new budget plan has been in place in California where undocumented immigrants aged 55 years or above can be eligible to receive SNAP or food stamps if it’s.
Moreover, if someone is documented and their children have United States citizenship the family can be eligible for food stamp benefits. Moreover, they can also qualify if they can prove they are a victim of the following situation:
- Lawful temporary residents who applied for amnesty previously
- Sex trafficking
- American Indians who were born in Canada or other tribal country
State legislators are looking to make food stamp benefits or SNAP more available as they plan to expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for two more years and if the legislation passes then it can be estimated that approximately 2,000,000 undocumented immigrants can be qualified for food stamp benefits.
Several factors determine SNAP eligibility for immigrants:
- Citizenship Status:S. citizens and some lawful immigrants qualify.
- Income:Must meet program income limits.
- Household Composition:S. citizen children in mixed-status families may be eligible.
Read also: Does Gordon Food Service Store Take SNAP or EBT Cards?
What Options Do Immigrants Have If They Are Undocumented/ Illegal To Be Eligible For Food Stamps?
Illegal or undocumented immigrants can be eligible for food stamp benefits by changing their status to a qualified immigrant.
Being an eligible immigrant means that a person is:
- A green card holder
- A domestic violence survivor with valid documents proving their immigration status
- A refugee or was granted asylum
Illegal or undocumented immigrants must take the right steps to become qualified immigrants if they want to be eligible for food stamp benefits. If you have not come to the United States yet but are curious about what are the options you have for becoming a qualified immigrant you can contact an immigration law firm today.
Recommended: I need groceries but have no money
What Are The SNAP Eligibility Criteria For Immigrant Households?
There are a lot of immigrant households who have enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program to pay for their food bills. You can apply for the SNAP initiative if you can fulfill the income limitation of the program and if you or any of your household members falls in one of the below-mentioned categories.
- A naturalized United States citizen
- A humanitarian immigrant that includes refugees, survivors of trafficking, asylees, domestic violence or any other serious crimes
- Certain Native Americans born outside of the United States of America
- A special immigrant visa holder
- A lawful permanent U.S resident green card holder having residency for five years or more, 40 qualifying work quarters, military connection, disability or below 18 years.
SNAP recipients also wonder: Does Wawa Accept SNAP, EBT, or Food Stamps?
What Is the SNAP Waiting Period For Green Card Holders Or Lawful Permanent Residents?
Immigrants who are lawful permanent residents or green card holders will be surprised to note that they have to wait for five years after receiving their green card or residency card to be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Unfortunately, this harmful or arbitrary requirement can make it difficult for a lot of immigrant households living in America to access the right food resources that they need especially if they are going through a financial crisis.
While a lot of lawful permanent residents in the United States have to wait for a minimum of five years before accessing SNAP benefits there are certain exceptions to this rule. For instance, lawful permanent residents are not subjected to this five-year waiting period rule if they can fulfill the following condition
- Receive government payments for blindness or disability
- Have any military connection for instance being a veteran, on active duty or child spouse of a veteran or active duty service member
- Are children below 18 years of age
- Have adequate work history for instance 10 years years or 40 qualifying work quarters. (Work history can be a combination of the applicant’s work, the work of a spouse if they are married or the work of their parents before turning 18 years).
Read also: What can you Shop Online With EBT?
Can Mixed Status Household Qualify For SNAP Benefits?
The term mixed status household refers to a family where members have varying documentation status for instance a combination of non-citizen, citizens, permanent residents or undocumented parents and children. While some household members of mixed-status households are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program others are not.
For instance, if you do not have documented immigration status you can’t apply for the SNAP program yourself instead you can apply for other qualified household members. A lot of children belonging to non-citizen parents in America are eligible for SNAP benefits. If your kids are lawful permanent residents or U.S. citizens then you can apply for SNAP on their behalf even though you do not have a qualifying or documented immigration status.
To apply for SNAP benefits on behalf of eligible U.S children or household members you need to provide information related to your name, monthly income information for all household members, and date of birth so that the county agency can determine your income eligibility. However, you just need to provide your Social Security number as well as immigration status for the members of the household that you select for whom you are requesting SNAP benefits for.
You need not discuss immigration status for all the individuals in your household that you are not seeking the SNAP benefits. In this case, you will not be asked about the immigration status of members of the household you are not requesting SNAP benefits for during your interview process by your county SNAP authorities
Note. Non-immigrants for instance visitors, students or those on temporary visas are not eligible to get SNAP benefits however they can apply on behalf of eligible household members.
Interested in knowing about: Does WinCo Accept EBT? Read our next guide here.
Can Accessing SNAP Benefits Affect My Immigration Status?
Accessing SNAP benefits will not affect your immigration status. Applying for the program as an immigrant to the United States may feel scary for a lot of immigrants since there is misinformation about the impact of the program on their immigration status however the reality is applying for the SNAP program for yourself or on behalf of any eligible household member will not affect your immigration status now or in the nearby future.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is not considered a part of the public charge rule therefore SNAP enrollment will not hurt your ability to stay in America, get a permanent resident status or green card, become a U.S. citizen or keep your green card or permanent resident status.
To expand SNAP benefits to immigrant households local SNAP agencies in California are helping those who do not have a green card or are under any immigration process. Even though asking for SNAP benefits will not impact your legal status it is critical to know exact requirements so that you can qualify for the benefits. The benefits depend on your age, disability, income and many other things.
Read our next guide: Does Publix Take EBT Cards?
SNAP For Non-Citizen Immigrants: 5 Myths Busted
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not expanded the food stamp eligibility to undocumented non-citizens but lawfully present non-citizens. As the SNAP eligibility guidelines for lawfully present non-citizens are not easy to understand and can be applied to different groups of people you must check the USDA detailed non-citizen eligibility guidelines to know about your specific situation.
Myth 1: You Cannot Qualify For SNAP Since You Have A Green Card
A popular misconception is that citizens do not qualify for SNAP since they have a green card however under SNAP guidelines citizens who are lawful residents of states can be eligible for the SNAP on meeting the following conditions:
- Must live in America for at least five years
- Are below 40 qualifying quarters
- Has specifically defined military connections born on or before 8. 22.31 and are residing lawfully in America on 8. 22.96
- Are under 18 years of age
- Work under 40 qualifying quarters
Myth 2: You Cannot Get Food Stamps If Your Husband Is Illegal
The fact is you can qualify for food stamps even if your husband is an illegal or undocumented immigrant. SNAP eligibility applies to the entire household and if your spouse is an undocumented immigrant then you will not be able to don’t include their asset or income on your food stamp application. If you’re a citizen of the U.S or lawfully present non-citizen then you can be eligible for SNAP assistance.
Myth 3: DACA Recipients Can Qualify For SNAP
The fact is DACA recipients are not eligible to get food stamp benefits. They are not considered eligible non-citizens as per SNAP guidelines that prevent them from participating in any other federal government assistance program.
Myth 4: You Cannot Receive SNAP Benefits If You Can’t Speak English
Another misconception is that you cannot receive SNAP benefits if you cannot speak English. But the fact is that English language literacy does not hurt your eligibility for food stamp benefits.
Even if you are struggling with literacy in English or your native tongue, if you can improve your United States or a lawful non citizen then you can receive food stamp benefits and you will also get transitional service and accessibility support.
Myth 5: Participating In SNAP Will Affect My Immigration Status
The fact is participating in food stamps will never hurt your immigration status. If you or any of your household members need food assistance then you can check with your local SNAP agency. A lot of states provide printed and online SNAP applications in languages apart from English including translational services.
Read also: Does Piggly Wiggly Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
What Are The Documents Required To Qualify For Food Stamp Benefits?
Once you fulfill the documented immigration status it is time to prepare the necessary documents to submit to SNAP authorities to get an Electronic Benefits Transfer card and access SNAP benefits.
- Proof of citizenship or residence or documented permission to live in the United States of America
- Proof of any disability
- Documented details on household Expenses
- Proof of your eligible immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen
- Income verification documents of the household in the form of pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, W2 forms etc
- Personal identification documents like state identification cards, driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates etc
- Proof of address for instance utility bill, rental agreement, lease etc.
- Records of payment or bills for your apartment rent, utilities or mortgages for instance daycare, child support, medical bills, gas and electricity build etc.
- Letters documenting payments you are receiving through other federal government programs like SSI, Social Security, Unemployment Payments, alimony, child support, retirement benefits, Veterans Affairs benefits etc.
- Proof of your monthly income before deductions or taxes
- Information of all the household members including their name, age, relationship and Social Security number.
- Proof of school attendance.
Interested in knowing: Does H Mart Accept Food Stamp or EBT? Find the answer in our next guide.
Application Procedure For The SNAP Program
There are various ways to apply for the SNAP program depending on your state of residence such as the following:
- Contact your local SNAP office in your state and ask to mail the application form to you
- Visit your local SNAP office in-person and fill out the application form
- Take a printout of the application form from your state Snap website
- Get in touch with the SNAP office in your local area and ask for the location where you can pick up the application form for instance Public Library.
- Fill out the online food stamp application form by visiting the state SNAP website.
Read also: Does Shipt Accept Food Stamps, SNAP, or EBT?
Additional Food Assistance Resources That Can Help You With Hunger
If you’re unable to qualify for food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program then do not lose hope as you can turn to food pantries, local food banks, or charitable nonprofit organizations for local assistance. Let’s learn a few additional food assistance resources that can help you
-
Turn To Nonprofit Organizations For Help
Undocumented immigrants belonging to low-income households can turn to nonprofit organizations available throughout the country that work to help people deal with crises. These organizations are the Salvation Army, feeding America, No Kid Hungry, Freedom From Hunger, the United Way, Meals on Wheels,
-
Contact Churches or Faith-Based Organizations
Apart from non-profit organizations, you can also turn to faith-based organizations and local churches that help people in times of their needs and can prevent them from going hungry. These include Salvation Army Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul to name a few. The church prepares ready food for homeless people, unemployed, destitute, refugees, immigrants and others.
-
Local Food Banks/ Pantries
Another great resource for undocumented immigrants who are unable to qualify for SNAP benefits is to take help from soup kitchens, local food banks, community organizations and food pantries.
The objective of these organizations and food banks is to feed the local community. You can find a lot of food banks or soup kitchens near refugee camps where immigrant individuals gather to get shelter and food.
Read also: Does Target Take EBT OR Food Stamps?
Conclusion
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is one of the largest federal nutrition safety nets in America today. Every year the program assists millions of vulnerable Americans to stay healthy. As per recent statistics, more than 21.5 million low-income households or 41.9 million people are participating in SNAP as of 2023. If you are an illegal or undocumented participant then you can refer to the guide above to know your position and how you can qualify for SNAP benefits. You can contact your local SNAP agency to access more resources. Apart from SNAP, there are many other resources mentioned in their section of the article that can help you to pay for certain living expenses like food, housing, transportation and more.
We hope this article has been informative enough to give you all the details you need regarding SNAP eligibility for immigrants. You can learn more about the government grants and financial assistance program at the Get Government Grants’ blog section today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Immigrants Eligible To Apply For The State Benefit Programs?
Yes, in some states immigrants can apply for state benefit programs. Nearly 26 states have made it easier for immigrants to apply for state-funded programs for instance New Work Safety Net Assistance, California CalFresh food assistance program and cash assistance program for immigrants. Most of the states assist low-income and uninsured families with food and healthcare facilities.
What Is The Protocol For Mixed Status Families or Undocumented Parents With U.S Children?
U.S. citizen children of undocumented parents like other U.S-born citizens are eligible to receive federal benefits on proofing their eligibility criteria without penalty. The child’s eligibility will not change their parents or other household members’ eligibility for the federal benefits.
