Page 33

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

33 Section 227 Change #1-2026 February 1, 2026 Does the Non-citizen QC field equal 40? a. If yes, the applicant meets the exception requirement; b. If no, determine if there are other records from which the non-citizen can gain credit (parents, spouse). 2. If using parent/spouse records, access QC History for each contributing individual. When adding the QCs to the non-citizen's record, do they equal 40? a. If yes, check the QC History to determine if the quarters were earned for the correct time period; b. If so, the individual is eligible. c. If no, proceed to Step 3. 3. Review the total number of QCs with the non-citizen. Consider lag quarters (up to 7 quarters may not yet be posted). a. If the TPQY response shows 34 QC’s or more and the non-citizen individual believes that QC’s are missing, check the QC History. b. If the non-citizen individual believes the records are correct, he/she cannot meet the exception requirements. If a QC History is used or if wage records are provided from another source, the “Quarter of Coverage” chart from the Social Security Administration found at https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/QC.html will assist in determining whether the individual has the level of earnings to count as a Qualifying Quarter.

Quarter of Coverage - Earnings Required Source: Social Security Administration (ssa.gov/oact/cola/QC.html) Year Earnings Year Earnings Year Earnings 1978 $250 1995 $630 2012 $1,130 1979 $260 1996 $640 2013 $1,160 1980 $290 1997 $670 2014 $1,200 1981 $310 1998 $700 2015 $1,220 1982 $340 1999 $740 2016 $1,260 1983 $370 2000 $780 2017 $1,300 1984 $390 2001 $830 2018 $1,320 1985 $410 2002 $870 2019 $1,360 Year Earnings Year Earnings Year Earnings 1986 $440 2003 $890 2020 $1,410 1987 $460 2004 $900 2021 $1,470