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DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FAMILY INVESTMENT ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) MANUAL CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION STATUS Section 120 Page 12

120.7 Disabled immigrants (continued) 38, USC and has a disability considered permanent. 120.8 Elderly Immigrants lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996 Elderly qualified immigrants (see section 120.3) who were lawfully residing in the U.S. on or before August 22, 1996 and who were 65 years of age or older on August 22, 1996 (born on or before 8/22/31), are eligible for SNAP benefits. 120.9 Work Quarters A. An immigrant who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence as defined in Section 101(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and can be credited with at least 40 quarters of qualified work is eligible for SNAP if they have not yet met the 5 year waiting period. B. This includes earnings reported to the Social Security Administration and earnings not reported to the Social Security Administration if the individual can verify the earnings. C. A qualifying quarter includes one worked by a parent of an immigrant before the date on which the child turned age 18 or a quarter worked by a spouse during the marriage if the immigrant remains married to the spouse or the spouse is deceased. D. If both spouses worked, combine the quarters worked during the marriage if they remain married or if the spouse is deceased. E. Beginning January 1, 1997, do not count a quarter in which the immigrant received any federal means-tested public benefit as a qualifying quarter. Federal means-tested programs are Medical Assistance (MA), (including MA for Pregnant Women and Children and Maryland Children’s Health Program), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or SNAP. This also applies to crediting a parent's or spouse's quarters if the parent or spouse received a means-tested benefit. The case manager must evaluate quarters of coverage and receipt of federal means-tested benefits on a calendar year basis as follows: a. Determine the number of quarters creditable in a calendar year. b. Identify those quarters after January 1, 1997, in which the immigrant or spouse or parent of the immigrant received a means-tested REVISED JANUARY 2026