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Page | 48 The individual who is lawfully residing in the U.S. is eligible if he/she is a: 1. Member of the Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribe or the spouse or unmarried dependent child of the Hmong or Highland Laotian (Vietnamese); or 2. Cuban/Haitian Entrant; or 3. Amerasian: or 4. Native American born in Canada or Mexico or a member of a North American Indian Tribe; or 5. Citizens of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizens of the Federated State of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau; or

The individual is admitted as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and is eligible if he/she: 1. Has resided in the U.S. for at least five years with a LPR status; or 2. Meets 40 quarter criteria; or 3. Lawfully residing in the U.S. and 65 or older on 08-22-96; or 4. Are blind or disabled; or 5. A child under 18 legally residing in the U.S.; or 6. Has a U.S. military connection; or Note: Individuals who adjust status to LPR from one of the groups exempt from the 5-year waiting period in section 403 of PRWORA (8 USC 1613), are not required to wait for 5 years after becoming an LPR: 1. Previous Refugee Status; or 2. Previous Individuals Granted Asylum; or 3. Deportation Withheld; or 4. Previous Iraqi Special Immigrants (SIV) Status; or 5. Previous Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV)Status; or 6. Previous Certain Afghan Nationals Granted Parole Between 07/31/2021 and 09/30/2023; or 7. Previous Certain Ukrainian Nationals Granted Parole Between July 31, 2021 and 09/30/2024; or 8. Previous Victims of Severe Trafficking Status.

Each category of alien status stands alone for purposes of determining eligibility. All non-citizens must be checked against each category to see if eligibility exists. Also, if the eligibility status expires, each eligible category must be reviewed to see if that individual is eligible under another status.

If a person is disqualified for SNAP benefits because citizenship or eligible alien status has not been verified, the remaining eligible members may be certified without the disqualified person.

3320 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - CITIZENS

U.S. citizens, including naturalized citizens, must meet citizenship eligibility requirements. The following information applies to individuals who claim to be U.S. citizens.

3321 DETERMINING CITIZENSHIP

Specialists must verify an individual’s claim to be a U.S. citizen, if questionable. The member whose citizenship is questionable is ineligible to participate until proof of U.S. citizenship is obtained. Until Example: Child turns 18 and is no longer eligible under the child status. If the child has been in the U.S. for at least 5 years under lawful permanent residence status, the child is eligible. (Remember to check each alien status for eligibility before determining ineligibility.)