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

25 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 Policy Questions: When in doubt about a non-citizen eligibility determination, submit DSS-9000 with case number to: dss.policy.questions@dhhs.nc.gov. Before submitting, ensure SAVE has been requested and all documents have been uploaded to the case. J. Enumeration Requirements for Non-Citizens Non-citizens are subject to ALL FNS eligibility requirements, including enumeration (SSN). Verification of immigration status alone does not complete the eligibility determination. Key Rule: Do NOT include a non-citizen in the budget until enumeration is provided. Exception: Expedited Service households per FNS 425.

Review FNS 230 Enumeration for enumeration and SSN requirements.

227.08 STEP 5: SPONSORED NON-CITIZENS

Note: Sponsor deeming rules under 8 U.S.C. § 1631 are unchanged by H.R. 1. This section continues existing policy for calculating income and resources of sponsored non-citizens. Deeming is a process in which the income and resources of the sponsor are included in the non-citizen’s eligibility determination for SNAP benefits. Deeming applies only to eligible Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) whose sponsor has signed a legally binding affidavit of support (known as 213A affidavits, mostly I-864 forms) on or after Dec. 19, 1997. To determine eligibility and benefit level of a household that contains an eligible sponsored non-citizen, the income and resources of the sponsor and the sponsor’s spouse must be deemed. Refer to B. below for exemptions to deeming. Eligibility workers are required to determine if a non-citizen is subject to sponsor deeming and collect sponsor information during the certification process, making the interview an important time to ensure the County agency has all necessary information. Workers can check whether someone has a sponsor through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system. If verification is requested regarding whether a non-citizen has a sponsor, the individual’s eligibility for benefits cannot be delayed, denied, reduced, or terminated pending receipt of such verification.