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West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 15

West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual Page 48 Chapter 15 Noncitizens, Refugees, and Citizenship

15.7 BENEFIT PROGRAMS To be eligible for WV WORKS, Medicaid, the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WVCHIP), or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), an individual applying must be a resident of the United States (U.S.) as a citizen or a legal noncitizen and meet eligibility requirements for each program. Among those ineligible are noncitizen visitors, tourists, diplomats, and students who enter the U.S. temporarily with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country. See Section 15.7.5, Medicaid, for exceptions for pregnant women and children age 18 and under. A non-qualified noncitizen or ineligible noncitizen residing in the U.S. who requires emergency medical care may qualify for Medicaid for the length of time medically required to avert the medical emergency. See Section 15.7.6. 15.7.1 SNAP A person must be a U.S. citizen, a national of the U.S., or a qualified noncitizen to qualify. 15.7.1.A Categories Eligible for SNAP Alien Group Pre-OBBB Eligibility Post-OBBB Eligibility Non-Citizen U.S. National Eligible Immediately Eligible Immediately Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) Eligible after a 5-year waiting period, as long as they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements. Eligible after a 5-year waiting period, as long as they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements. NOTE: When a noncitizen applies for SNAP benefits or WV WORKS benefits, the Worker must send a copy of their Permanent Resident Card, front and back, to the Division of Family Assistance (DFA) Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Coordinator.