Print Version (217.75 KB)
Please Note
On April 24, 2024, President Biden signed Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, and for other purposes (HR 815) into law. This law extends the period of parole under which certain individuals from Ukraine may become eligible for SNAP benefits to Sept. 30, 2024 (see Division B, Title III, Sec. 301 of HR 815).
| DATE: | June 7, 2022 |
| SUBJECT: | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - Provisions in the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 |
| TO: | All SNAP State Agencies All Regions |
On May 21, 2022, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 (the Act) (PL 117-128). This memorandum describes the provisions of the Act that affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Section 401 of the Act provides that Ukrainian nationals, citizens, or those who last habitually lived in Ukraine who are granted parole between Feb. 24, 2022, and Sept. 30, 2023, are eligible to receive resettlement assistance, entitlement programs (including SNAP), and other benefits available to refugees admitted under section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. These individuals are not subject to a waiting period and are immediately eligible for benefits as long as they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements. These individuals are exempt from sponsor deeming requirements. Given they continue to meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements, these individuals are eligible so long as they remain in parole status or another eligible immigration status.
Additionally, the spouses and children of such individuals, as well as parents, legal guardians, and primary caregivers of such individuals who were unaccompanied minors, are eligible for SNAP benefits even if they are granted parole after Sept. 30, 2023, as long as they meet all other SNAP income and eligibility requirements.
This provision is effective upon enactment. Ukrainian parolees who previously applied and were denied for SNAP under regular rules for parolees may reapply for SNAP to be determined eligible under the provisions of the Act from the date of reapplication.
State agencies with questions regarding this guidance should contact their respective regional office representatives. Regional office staff with questions should contact Jess Luna (jessica.luna@usda.gov) in the program design branch.
Jessica Shahin
Associate Administrator
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program