I am a noncitizen. Can I get food stamps?

It depends. There are two food stamp programs: a federal program called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and a state program, the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP). “Qualified” immigrants may be able to get federally funded food stamps — but only after they have lawfully lived in the U.S. for five years.[3481] The California Food Assistance Program does not have a similar waiting period. All “qualified” immigrants, as well as a small percentage of non-qualified immigrants, are permitted to apply for CFAP, regardless of how long they have held their immigration status.[3482] Undocumented people cannot get food stamps under either program.[3483]

  1. 3481

    U.S.D.A. Food and Nutrition Service, “SNAP Policy on Non-Citizen Eligibility” (Mar. 24, 2017), available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-policy-non-citizen-eligibility.

  2. 3482

    California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative, “Immigrant Eligibility for Food Stamps in California” (Jan. 2006), available at https://www.nilc.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/imm_eligibility_food_stmps_CA_2006-1-11.pdf. Special populations of unqualified immigrants who are permitted to apply for CFAP include victims of sex trafficking and Hmong people who helped the U.S. during the Vietnam War.

  3. 3483

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, “Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility” (Dec. 19, 2009), available at https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/snap/Non-Citizen_Guidance_063011.pdf; see also Calif. Dept. of Social Services, “CalFresh Regulation Quick Reference,” available at http://www.cdss.ca.gov/calfreshoutreach/res/Toolkit/QuickReference/RegulationQuickReference_D_PeoplewithImmigrantRefugeeorAsyleeStatus.pdf.