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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 110 Note: If the noncitizen can show they resided in the US on or before August 22, 1996, and has a legitimate reason for the absences in steps 2 and 3, such as caring for an ill family member in the individual’s country of origin, ESA must request a review of the case by the Office of the Administrator to determine whether they should be considered continuously present on or before August 22, 1996. 8.6.6.3 Length of Absence If the immigrant has a passport that shows that they left and reentered the US after August 22, 1996, ESA can use the date stamps on the passport to determine whether the individual was continuously present in the US. It may be difficult to verify periods of absence from the US if an immigrant does not have a passport. Accept the customer’s written statement of the amount of time they were absent from the US between the latest date of entry on or before August 22, 1996, and the date they obtained qualified status. Legal Authority Citizenship and alien status (federal): SNAP: 8 USC §§ 1611-1615, 7 USC § 2015(f), 7 CFR § 273.4 Guidance: Department of Justice Interim Guidance on Verification of Citizenship, Qualified Alien Status and Eligibility under Title IV of PRWORA (AG Order No. 2129-97); Guidelines for Making Determinations Using SSA’s Quarters of Coverage History System, June 1998, Social Security Administration 8.7 Disability Throughout this section, the term “disabled” refers to people who are unable to work due to a mental or physical disability or blindness. The SNAP program considers a person disabled if they receive cash or medical benefits based on disability criteria used by the SSA or VA. A customer is disabled for purposes of the SNAP program eligibility if they receive any of the following benefits:  SSI  SSDI disability, blindness or disability retirement payments  Federal- or state-administered supplemental benefits  Total disability payments from the VA  A VA designation of in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound under Title 38 of the USC  VA payment for permanently disabled surviving spouse or child of a veteran  Railroad Retirement Act disability payment  State-funded interim assistance pending the receipt of SSI; in the District, this program is called Interim Disability Assistance (IDA)  Medicaid based on SSA disability criteria Return