9.4 Qualified Non-Citizens Subject to the Five-Year Waiting Period or 40 Qualifying Quarters of Work.

A. The following qualified non-citizens must be in qualified status for five (5) years or have 40 qualifying quarters of work to be eligible to receive SNAP: 1. 18 or older lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LPRs) under the INA; 2. Battered Non-Citizen (LPR) 3. Conditional Entrant (LPR) 4. Victims of severe trafficking (LPR); or 5. Iraqi and Aghan Special Immigrants (SIV) (LPR) B. The five years in qualified status may be consecutive or non-consecutive. C. Temporary absences of less than 6 months from the U.S. with no intention of abandoning U.S. residency does not terminate a person’s period of U.S. residency. D. If the person was absent for more than 6 months, then MDHS can assume that U.S. residency has been interrupted unless the non-citizen presents proof to the contrary. Source: 7 CFR §273.4(a)(6)(iii) Revised: December 2025