Page 89

Documentation of active-duty status is the individual's service identity card (U.S. Form DD-02) which should be a green service identity card marked "Active" after the form number. A red service identity card marked "Reserved" is not evidence of active duty unless supported by a copy of the individual's current orders showing active duty, and not active duty for training. A blue (retiree) or beige (dependent) card is not evidence of active duty. 2402.20.47 RESERVED 2402.20.48 RESERVED

2402.20.49 IRAQI AND AFGHANI SPECIAL IMMIGRANTS

Certain Iraqi and Afghan nationals have special immigrant status under section 101(a) (27) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and may be eligible for TANF or Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA). Iraqi and Afghani Special immigrants are eligible for all benefits available to the same extent and for the same period as refugees pursuant to Section 207 of the Immigrations and Nationality Act.

Iraqi and Afghani Special immigrants were eligible for SNAP consideration prior to enactment of H.R.1 on July 4, 2025.

Both Iraqi and Afghani special immigrants will either enter the U.S. as Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) with the special immigrant visa or will adjust to special immigrant status after entering the U.S. under another immigration status (such as an asylee or parolee). Therefore, unless the immigrant is a qualified alien and is eligible under current program rules, the date of eligibility may or may not coincide with the special immigrant’s date of entry.

This policy is based on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2010 (Section 8120, P.L. 111-118) enacted on December 19, 2009.

2402.20.49.05 COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION (COFA) CITIZENS

Effective March 9, 2024 Division G, Title II, Section 209(f) of the CAA amends Section 402 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) (P.L. 104- 193) and provides that Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau who lawfully reside in the United States are eligible for certain Federal public benefit programs, including SNAP. COFA citizens residing in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are not eligible for SNAP. COFA citizens are not subject to a waiting period and are immediately eligible for benefits as long as they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.