Page 21

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 227 NON-CITIZEN REQUIREMENTS

21 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 Cuban/Haitian Entrants • I-551 with category code CU6, CH6, or HB6 • I-94 with Cuban or Haitian nationality and parole stamp • I-797 Notice of Action indicating CHE status • SAVE response confirming CHE designation IMPORTANT: Cuban/Haitian Entrant (CHE) is a benefit eligibility designation, NOT an immigration status. An I-551 with category code CU6, CH6, or HB6 does NOT conclusively establish CHE status. SAVE verification is required. COFA Migrants • I-94 with admission class CFA/FSM, CFA/MIS, CFA/RMI, or CFA/PAL • I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) • I-797 Notice of Action • FSM, RMI, or Palau passport with U.S. admission stamp (I-94 required) Note: A foreign passport alone is NOT sufficient for SAVE verification. COFA migrants must present at least one U.S.-issued identifier. C. Reasonable Opportunity for Verification Documents 1. Request verification documents using the DSS-8650 Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Notice of Information Needed and allow the FNS Unit at least ten calendar days to provide the documentation. Note: If the 10-day reasonable opportunity period provided does not lapse before the 30th day following the date of application, the County agency shall provide the household with benefits no later than 30 days following the date of application provided the household is otherwise eligible. 2. When the applicant provides insufficient documentation to verify his non- citizen status, further verification is required. a. Offer to contact USCIS when you are presented with an USCIS document which:

loading…

Page 21

Official source

FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FNS 227 NON-CITIZEN REQUIREMENTS

21 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 Cuban/Haitian Entrants • I-551 with category code CU6, CH6, or HB6 • I-94 with Cuban or Haitian nationality and parole stamp • I-797 Notice of Action indicating CHE status • SAVE response confirming CHE designation IMPORTANT: Cuban/Haitian Entrant (CHE) is a benefit eligibility designation, NOT an immigration status. An I-551 with category code CU6, CH6, or HB6 does NOT conclusively establish CHE status. SAVE verification is required. COFA Migrants • I-94 with admission class CFA/FSM, CFA/MIS, CFA/RMI, or CFA/PAL • I-766 (Employment Authorization Document) • I-797 Notice of Action • FSM, RMI, or Palau passport with U.S. admission stamp (I-94 required) Note: A foreign passport alone is NOT sufficient for SAVE verification. COFA migrants must present at least one U.S.-issued identifier. C. Reasonable Opportunity for Verification Documents 1. Request verification documents using the DSS-8650 Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) Notice of Information Needed and allow the FNS Unit at least ten calendar days to provide the documentation. Note: If the 10-day reasonable opportunity period provided does not lapse before the 30th day following the date of application, the County agency shall provide the household with benefits no later than 30 days following the date of application provided the household is otherwise eligible. 2. When the applicant provides insufficient documentation to verify his non- citizen status, further verification is required. a. Offer to contact USCIS when you are presented with an USCIS document which: