SNAP-eligible alien groups are: U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (LPRs), Cuban and Haitian Entrants (CHEs) and Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens
| Alien Group | Post-OBBB Eligibility |
| Non-Citizen U.S. Nationals | Eligible immediately |
| Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) | Eligible after a 5-year waiting period, as long as they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.
LPRs may still be eligible for SNAP without a waiting period if they meet one or more of the following conditions:
• Are under 18 years old • Have 40 qualifying work quarters • Are blind or disabled • Were lawfully residing in the U.S. and 65 or older on August 22, 1996 • Have a U.S. military connection • Are admitted to the United States as an Amerasian immigrant • Are certain American Indians born abroad • Are certain Hmong or Highland Laotian tribal members |
| Cuban and Haitian Entrants (CHE) | Eligible immediately |
| Compacts of Free Association (COFA) Citizens | Eligible immediately |
| Children Under Age 18 in any SNAP-eligible Alien Group | Eligible immediately |
| LPRs with 40 Qualifying Work Quarters | Eligible immediately |
| Individuals in any SNAP-eligible Alien Group Who is Blind or Disabled | Eligible immediately |
| Individuals in any SNAP-eligible Alien Group Lawfully Residing in the U.S. and Was 65 or Older on August 22, 1996 | Eligible immediately |
| Individuals in any SNAP-eligible Alien Group Who Has a Military Connection | Eligible immediately |
| Amerasians | Eligible immediately |
| Deportation Withheld | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Refugee | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Individuals Granted Asylum | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Parolees | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Certain Afghan Nationals Granted Parole Between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023 | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Certain Ukrainian Nationals Granted Parole Between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024 | Not eligible unless LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Certain American Indians Born Abroad
|
Not eligible unless an LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribal Members
|
Not eligible unless an LPR, then eligible immediately |
| Conditional Entrants
|
Not eligible unless an LPR, See Post-OBBB eligibility for LPR |
| Battered Aliens
|
Not eligible unless an LPR, See Post Eligibility for LPR |
| Victims of Severe Trafficking and Certain Family Members
|
Not eligible unless an LPR, then eligible immediately |
| LPR Pursuant to Section 249 of the INA (8 USC 1259)
|
See “Post-OBBB Eligibility” for LPR |
| Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV)
|
If adjusted to LPR, eligible immediately |
Defining Military Connection: An individual who is lawfully residing in a State and is on active duty in the military (excluding National Guard) or is an honorably discharged veteran whose discharge is not because of immigration status (includes spouse, surviving spouse if not married, and unmarried dependent children). A discharge “Under Honorable Conditions”, which is not the same as an honorable discharge, does not meet this requirement.
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