Exemptions to the 5-year

1. Individuals in the following groups who have been granted LPR status do not have to wait for 5 years and are eligible for SNAP as soon as they obtain LPR status.

Refugees

Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribal Members

American Indians Born Abroad (Mexico & Canada)

Asylees

Iraq and Afghan Special Immigrants (SIV)

Deportation withheld

Non-SI Afghan Parolees paroled between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023

If entered before or after the date above, the waiting period applies.

Parolees from Ukraine paroled between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024

i. If entered before or after the date above, the waiting period applies.

Refugees who have been paroled

Victims of severe forms of trafficking

Note: Their SAVE system response must state a non-citizen status code listed above and show LPR-employment authorized under the system response.

2. U.S. veteran or U.S. active military duty. There is no time limit.

3. Spouse or dependent children of a U.S. veteran or U.S. active military personnel. There is no time limit except for a dependent child. When a dependent child is no longer dependent, the child loses the eligible non-citizen status obtained from a veteran or active military duty parent.

4. An LPR who meets one of the following criteria:

a. An individual who has 40 qualifying quarters.

b. A child under the age of 18, regardless of entry date into the United States.

c. An individual receiving disability payments or assistance (including disability related Medicaid) as described in policy 254, regardless of when they entered the United States.

Note: For sponsored non-citizens, see additional requirements in policy 260