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

29 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 indigent. If the total is less than the gross income limit, the noncitizen is indigent. d. If Indigent: Process the case counting only the actual amount of cash support from the sponsor for a 12-month period beginning with the month of determination. Non-countable income is used in the indigent test only, not in the actual budget. e. Duration: Once a determination of indigence is made, the non-citizen remains indigent for 12 months from the date of eligibility, regardless of any secondary information from SAVE on the sponsor within the household's certification period. f. Renewal: Each indigence determination is renewable for additional 12month periods. 3. USCIS Reporting for Indigence Determinations. When an indigent determination is made, send written notice of the determination to USCIS at the address below. NCDHHS must be copied on the written notice. Include the name of the indigent sponsored non-citizen(s) and the name(s) of the sponsor(s). The written notice should include the reference “Determinations under 421(e) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.” Office of Policy and Strategy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC, 20529 E. Verification and Documentation If the sponsored non-citizen is not indigent and not otherwise exempt from sponsor deeming, sponsor deeming rules apply and the sponsor’s total income and resources must be verified. The sponsored non-citizen unit is responsible for providing the verification or documentation of the sponsor's income and resources. Indigent Exemption: A non-citizen who is indigent is exempt from sponsor deeming and does not need to provide verification of the sponsor's income and resources. However, if the non-citizen receives cash contributions from the sponsor, then the amount of cash given must be verified. Count the actual amount of cash support provided from the sponsor for a 12-month period beginning on the date of eligibility determination. 1. Ineligibility Pending Verification: The sponsored non-citizen who is not indigent is ineligible to participate until verification of the sponsor’s income and resources are provided. However, determine the eligibility of any remaining unit members. Count the income and resources of the ineligible non-citizen using