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ESA SNAP Policy Manual 323 − If the total is at least 10 years, they might meet the 40-quarter requirement. ESA must help verify QQs. − If the total is less than 10 years, ask whether the applicant, their parents or their spouse ever worked in the US before achieving status as a legal resident. • If the answer is yes, determine the number of years and add them to the total. (SSA counts quarters worked while a person is living in the US regardless of their immigration status when they performed the work.) • If the total is at least 10, the individual could meet the 40-quarter requirement. Continue to verify their QQs. • If the total is less than 10, the person cannot meet the 40-quarter requirement. Do not continue. Determining QQs An applicant can earn four quarters each year based on their work history. In addition, the work history of a parent up to the applicant’s 18th birthday and the applicant’s spouse can be credited up to four quarters per year toward the 40-work quarter requirement.  ESA receives information about QQs through the DCAS interface with the SSA’s Quarters of Coverage History System (QCHS).  This system provides an array of all QQs from work covered by the Social Security Act.  Beginning in 1978, it also includes all creditable noncovered earnings.  Beginning in 1978, the number of quarters an individual earns is based on annual earnings, not on the number of quarters within the calendar year in which the individual was employed. Example Mr. Ling applies for SNAP. He is a 22-year-old lawful permanent resident who has lived in the US since he was 10. Both of his parents worked when he was a child. In addition to the quarters he accrued based on his own earnings (up to four per year), Mr. Ling can earn up to four quarters in any year that his father worked and an additional four quarters in any year that his mother worked while Mr. Ling was a minor. When he was 17, both of Mr. Ling's parents worked. Mr. Ling’s father earned four quarters, and his mother earned three quarters. Mr. Ling did not work that year. Mr. Ling is credited with seven QQs for that year.

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