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Office of the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9600 USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider, Employer, and Lender Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Alien Eligibility Question and Answer #1 A. General 1. Are the OBBB changes to alien eligibility effective immediately or upon rulemaking? The changes were effective upon the enactment of OBBB—July 4, 2025. OBBB specifies which alien groups are eligible for SNAP under section 6(f) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (FNA) and is not contingent on regulations before the changes go into effect. 2. Are individuals who have been granted asylum or who are refugees eligible for SNAP? No. Individuals who have been granted asylum or who are refugees, including individuals under 18 years of age, are not eligible for SNAP by virtue of that status. With the passage of OBBB, the only aliens eligible for SNAP are those with the following statuses: lawful permanent resident (LPR), Cuban and Haitian entrant (CHE), or Compacts of Free Association (COFA) citizen. See chart below for additional information on asylees or refugees who have adjusted status to LPR. B. 5-year Waiting Period 3. Does the 5-year waiting period still apply following the OBBB? Yes. OBBB did not make changes to the 5-year waiting period requirement and exceptions, which are established by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), 8 USC 1613. through their guidance portal, except to establish historical facts. incorporated into a contract. USDA may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not available Guidance documents lack the force and effect of law, unless expressly authorized by statute or