Page 26

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

26 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 Please note that Quality Control (QC) will review whether the amount of the allotment received by a sponsored non-citizen is correct independent of any action taken by the State agency to determine sponsor liability. Such actions are not reviewable for QC purposes. A. Definitions 1. Sponsored Non-citizen: A non-citizen admitted lawfully for permanent residence that is sponsored by an individual who has signed an affidavit of support. If a church or institution sponsors the non-citizen, the special provisions described below do not apply. 2. Sponsor: A person who executed an affidavit of support on or after December 19, 1997 on behalf of a non-citizen as a condition of the noncitizen's entry or admission to the U.S. Only individuals are considered sponsors. Organizations and institutions, such as churches, are not considered sponsors. 3. Deemed Income/Resources: The process of considering a sponsor's income and resources as available to the sponsored non-citizen for purposes of determining FNS eligibility and benefit amount. B. Exemptions from Sponsored Non-Citizen Requirements The following non-citizens are NOT subject to sponsor deeming requirements: 1. Same-Household Sponsor: A non-citizen who is participating in the Food and Nutrition Services Program as a member of his sponsor's unit. 2. Not Required to Have Sponsor: A non-citizen who is not required to have a sponsor under the Immigration and Nationality Act such as, but not limited to: a. A refugee admitted after March 31, 1980; b. A parolee admitted under Section 212(d)(5); c. One granted political asylum; d. A Cuban or Haitian Entrant; e. A conditional entrant granted status before April 1, 1980; f. Individuals who held the above statuses and have since obtained their Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) status. 3. Vietnamese Amerasians: A non-citizen from Vietnam who enters the U.S. under the Foreign Operations Act. These non-citizens should be considered