FNS Documents & Resources

Food and Nutrition Service has received multiple inquiries as to whether certain Haitian nationals granted Temporary Protected Status are eligible for SNAP benefits.

The purpose of this memo is to clarify SNAP eligibility for certain Haitian orphans.

The new legislation provides that SIVs are eligible for all benefits available to the same extent and for the same period of time as refugees pursuant to Section 207 of the Immigrations and Nationality Act.

It has come to FNS's attention that, due to unusual shifts in utility costs, SNAP benefits to needy families may decrease when states make annual SUA adjustments this year - even if the circumstances of those households remain constant.

For over thirty years, SNAP has deducted the cost of telephones in determining a household's eligibility and benefit amounts, either by deducting actual telephone bills or standard telephone allowances.

The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009 under the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 extended Afghani Special Immigrant eligibility for SNAP benefits from six months to eight months.

FNS guidance of March 20, 2008 provided that the eligibility of Afghani Special Immigrants was in effect through Sept. 30, 2008 under The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2008.

In response to several requests and to assist state agencies and school food authorities in their compliance efforts, we are providing the following prototype contract language requiring the return of purchase incentives to SFAs.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008 granted Iraqi and Afghan aliens special immigrant status under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Individuals and family members granted this special immigrant status are eligible for resettlement assistance, entitlement programs, and other benefits the same as refugees admitted under the INA, except the period of eligibility cannot exceed six months.

PL 109-163 made the Department of Defense’s Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance  permanently available.