International Students: Food Stamps Eligibility And Application Process

International students in the United States are generally not eligible to receive food stamps, also known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. SNAP is a federal assistance program that provides food benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families. While SNAP is available to some non-citizens, students on visas are specifically excluded from this category and are therefore not eligible for SNAP benefits. International students should refrain from accepting any public benefits, including food stamps, as this can jeopardize their legal status in the US and create barriers to re-entry.

International students are generally not eligible for SNAP benefits

While some public benefits for US-born children, such as immunizations, children's nutrition and health programs, may not affect an individual's immigration status, accepting most public benefits can put one's legal status in the US at risk and create a bar to re-entry. Thus, it is advisable to seek legal advice before accepting any public benefits.

Additionally, a condition of maintaining nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 status is that, in addition to meeting educational expenses, individuals are able to provide shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare for themselves and their dependents. The acceptance of public benefits is interpreted as a declaration that the individual is unable to meet their financial obligations, thereby rendering them ineligible for F-1 or J-1 status.

However, it is important to note that SNAP eligibility for college students can be complicated and confusing, and there may be exceptions for certain non-citizen groups. For example, recent laws have made certain Ukrainian parolees immediately eligible for SNAP benefits, provided they meet all other SNAP financial and non-financial eligibility requirements.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, it is recommended to contact your local SNAP office or an advisor for more information.

Non-immigrants are ineligible for public benefits

Non-immigrants, including international students, are generally ineligible for public benefits in the United States. This includes federal benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). These benefits are typically reserved for US citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens, such as refugees and special immigrants with SIV status.

The 1996 federal welfare reform law created two categories of immigrants for benefits eligibility: "qualified" and "not qualified". However, this law excluded many people in both groups from eligibility for various benefits. Generally, undocumented immigrants, including DACA holders, are ineligible for most federal public benefits. They are also ineligible for health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cannot purchase unsubsidized health coverage on ACA exchanges.

Even legal permanent residents, or green card holders, face restrictions on their access to public benefits. They are subject to a five-year waiting period before becoming eligible for certain federal means-tested benefits, including Medicaid, CHIP, TANF, SNAP, and SSI. This "five-year bar" can be bypassed if the recipient has worked 40 quarters under a visa, including work done by parents or a spouse while the immigrant was a dependent or minor.

In most cases, non-immigrants with F-1 or J-1 status are expected to provide for their own financial needs, including food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. Accepting public benefits may put their legal status in the US at risk and create a bar to re-entry. However, there are a few exceptions where non-immigrants may be eligible for certain benefits. For example, non-immigrants may be able to access emergency Medicaid, primary and preventive healthcare at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Additionally, some states have chosen to fund their own programs to cover unauthorized immigrants or other federally ineligible non-citizens, such as food assistance for all residents above a certain age or cash assistance programs for specific groups.

Students must meet exemption and eligibility requirements

International students in the United States are generally not eligible for SNAP (food stamps). Accepting federal, state, or local government benefits as an international student may cause you to lose your legal status in the US and create a bar to your re-entry. This includes food stamps, as well as other benefits such as Medicare/Medicaid, Supplemental Social Security Income, and subsidized housing.

However, there may be some exceptions for certain lawfully present non-citizens. For example, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 provides that citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau who lawfully reside in the United States are eligible for SNAP benefits. Additionally, some states have special programs that use an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to distribute nutrition benefits to certain non-citizens.

To be eligible for SNAP benefits, individuals must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. These limits vary by state, so it is important to contact your local SNAP office or state for more information on eligibility requirements.

It is worth noting that international students with employment in the United States are required to obtain a "proof of work" form and a U.S. social security number, which is different from the number assigned to students and exchange visitors. This number is used by the U.S. government to identify wage earners for tax purposes.

Proof of immigration status is required

To receive food stamps, or SNAP benefits, proof of immigration status is required. This is because only U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens may receive SNAP benefits. Non-citizens like tourists and students are generally not eligible.

If you are an alien or naturalized citizen, a benefit-granting agency may verify your immigration status in the United States using the SAVE Program before granting you food stamps or other public benefits. In order to access your immigration information through SAVE, a Federal, state, and local benefit-granting agency must have the legal authority to verify your immigration status and must enter into an agreement with the SAVE Program.

In most instances, if you hold non-immigrant status in the U.S., you are not eligible for public benefits from the federal, state, county, or any other local U.S. government agencies. While some public benefits for a U.S.-born child (such as immunizations, children's nutrition and health programs) may not cause problems, accepting most public benefits can put your legal status in the United States at risk and can create a bar to re-entry to the U.S. Therefore, it is advisable to seek legal advice before accepting any public benefits.

A condition of maintaining nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 status is that you, in addition to meeting your educational expenses, are able to provide shelter, food, clothing, and healthcare for yourself and your dependents. The acceptance of public benefits is interpreted as a declaration that the individual is unable to meet their financial obligations (a requirement of obtaining and maintaining status) and thereby rendering them ineligible for F-1 or J-1 status.

SNAP benefits are available to Ukrainian parolees

In general, international students are not eligible for food stamps or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits in the United States. However, there are exceptions for certain groups, including refugees and asylum seekers. In the case of Ukrainian parolees, they may be eligible for SNAP benefits under the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022.

This Act, signed into law by President Joseph R. Biden on May 21, 2022, extends the period of parole under which certain individuals from Ukraine may become eligible for SNAP benefits until September 30, 2024. Specifically, Section 401 of the Act provides that Ukrainian nationals, citizens, or those who last habitually lived in Ukraine and were granted parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023, are eligible to receive resettlement assistance, entitlement programs (including SNAP), and other benefits typically available to refugees admitted under Section 207 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Ukrainian individuals and their families who have been granted humanitarian parole and meet the eligibility criteria can access SNAP benefits. These benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card. Recipients are given a set amount of money each month to purchase groceries at authorised stores. It is important to note that to qualify for SNAP, individuals must meet specific income and work requirements, and non-US citizens must also meet certain residency requirements, such as living in the US for at least five years.

In addition to SNAP benefits, Ukrainian parolees may also be eligible for other forms of assistance, including cash assistance through programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), health insurance through Medicaid or Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA), and employment preparation and job placement services. These benefits aim to support the resettlement and well-being of Ukrainian individuals and families seeking refuge in the United States during this challenging time.

Frequently asked questions