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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION STATUS Section 120 Page 1

120.1 Determining Immigration Status A. According to Federal rules (7 CFR 273.4), with certain exceptions, only United States (U.S.) Citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, and qualified immigrants are eligible for federal, state, and local public benefits. This section provides guidance on verification of citizenship, qualified immigrants status, and eligibility of non-citizens. B. Nondiscrimination and Privacy Requirements: a. Civil rights laws and regulations prohibit discrimination by governmental and private entities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, and disability. b. In particular, Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin in any program or activity whether operated by a public or private entity, which receives federal funds or other federal financial assistance. Note: Profiling is not allowed. You cannot single out individuals who look or sound foreign for closer scrutiny or require them to provide additional documents of citizenship or immigration status. c. When implementing verification requirements, use the citizenship and immigration status only for purposes of verifying the applicant's eligibility for benefits. i. Because the process of verifying an individual's status as a U.S. citizen, U.S. non-citizen national, or qualified immigrant raises issues involving privacy and anti-discrimination protections, do not verify an applicant's status when benefits are not contingent on the status. ii. If an immigrant is applying for benefits on behalf of another person, you may, under federal law, only verify the status of the person who will actually receive the benefits. 120.2 U.S. Citizen or Non-citizen National A. Ask for a declaration of citizenship or immigration status. Do not verify an applicant's status as a citizen unless the information provided by the applicant is questionable. After declaring citizenship or immigration REVISED JANUARY 2026