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

30 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 instructions in FNS § 390 Resources, and FNS § 350 Whose Income is Counted. 2. Required Verification Items: Verify the following items for sponsored noncitizens (in addition to normal verification requirements): a. The income and resources of the sponsor and the sponsor's spouse (if living with the sponsor); b. The provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act under which the noncitizen was admitted; c. The date of the non-citizen's entry or admission as a lawful permanent resident as established by USCIS; d. The non-citizen's date of birth, place of birth, and alien registration number. F. USCIS Contact Information 1. For questions about SAVE verification that cannot be resolved through standard channels: a. SAVE Help Desk: 1-877-469-2563 b. SAVE Program Website: https://www.uscis.gov/save c. Email: save.help@uscis.dhs.gov 227.09 CALCULATING 40 QUALIFYING QUARTERS

Note: The 40 qualifying quarters exemption under 8 U.S.C. § 1612(a)(2)(B) is unchanged by H.R. 1. LPRs who can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work are exempt from the 5-year waiting period and sponsor deeming, if applicable. This section provides guidelines for determining whether an individual meets the 40 qualifying quarters of coverage (QCs) exemption. The 40 quarters must be verified prior to participation, if the eligible non-citizen is not otherwise exempt from the waiting period. A. Definitions: Quarter -- A period of three calendar months ending March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31. Covered Earnings -- Wages or self-employment income which requires payment of FICA (social security) taxes.