Aliens Exempt from the Non-citizen Limitation
- Naturalized citizens.
- American Indians born in Canada living in the U.S. under
Section 289 of the INA or non-citizen members of a federally-recognized
Indian tribe under section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination &
Education Assistance Act. This provision is intended to cover Native
Americans who are entitled to cross the U.S. border into Canada or
Mexico. It includes, among others, the St. Regis Band of the Mohawk in
New York, Micmac in Maine, Abenake in Vermont and Kickapoo in Texas.
- An individual lawfully residing in the U.S. who was a
member of a Hmong or Highland Laotian tribe that rendered assistance to
U.S. personnel by taking part in a military or rescue operation during
the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975). This category includes
the spouse (or unremarried surviving spouse) or unmarried dependent
children of these individuals.
Aliens Ineligible for SNAP Benefits under Any Circumstances:
- Lawfully residing in the U.S. in a non-qualified status
and are not exempt from the immigrant restrictions (such as students or
qualified aliens who have not been in status for five years); or
- Undocumented immigrants (such as individuals who entered
the country as temporary residents and overstayed their visas or who
entered without a visa).
Even if some members of the household are not eligible, those who are may be able to get SNAP benefits.