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967 Chapter 6:Non-citizens • Section 1: Introduction (07/2026) Note: Sponsor information and income is only needed when a sponsored individual is applying for SNAP. If the sponsored individual is not requesting SNAP, determine eligibility for the remaining members of the filing group using the sponsored non-citizen’s full earned and unearned income, but do not request information on the sponsor. However, if the sponsored non-citizen is requesting SNAP but refusing to provide information on the sponsor, that individual will be denied SNAP and their prorated earned and unearned income will be used for eligibility determinations for remaining household members. It is important to know that TANF and SNAP may differ on how deeming is used. When SNAP and TANF are applied for together and the sponsored non-citizen is not providing sponsor information, please send an email to SNAP Policy and TANF Policy for direction on how to best move forward. Sponsor deeming An eligible, sponsored non-citizen is subject to deeming rules unless at least one of the following exemptions apply: • The sponsor has not signed a legally binding affidavit of support (USCIS Form I-864 or I-864A) or the affidavit of support was signed before 12/19/1997. • The sponsor receives SNAP, SSI or TANF benefits. • The sponsor is deceased (the estate of a deceased sponsor is not responsible for the non-citizen). • The sponsored non-citizen does not meet “non-citizen” status requirements for the program for which they apply. • The sponsored non-citizen becomes a naturalized citizen. • The sponsored non-citizen can be credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work, or • The sponsored non-citizen is under 18 years of age. Non-citizens not subject to sponsor deeming Deeming rules are not applicable to eligible sponsored non-citizens in these situations: • The sponsored non-citizen is not required to have a sponsor under the INA, such as, but not limited to, a refugee, a parolee, an asylee or a Cuban or Haitian entrant. • The non-citizen is sponsored by a public or private organization or group, or • The non-citizen is living in the same SNAP filing group as the sponsor, or • The sponsored non-citizen meets one of the exceptions to deeming, below. Exceptions to sponsor deeming At the option of a sponsored non-citizen, the income and assets of the sponsor are not required to be deemed for a period of 12 months if the sponsored non-citizen claims one of the following exceptions: • Battered non-citizen exception: The non-citizen verifies they were battered, and there is a substantial connection between the need for SNAP benefits and the battery (in the opinion of SSP). • The sponsored non-citizen is a battered immigrant spouse, battered immigrant child, immigrant parent of a battered child or an immigrant child of a battered parent, as long as the battered non-citizen does