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]
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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. ↑
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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. ↑
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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. ↑