The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is what food stamps are officially called, is a government program that helps people and families with low incomes buy food they need. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) runs this program, which gives people Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards that are loaded with money every month.
These EBT cards work a lot like debit cards and can be used to buy food at certain grocery shops and supermarkets. A lot of different kinds of food can be bought with SNAP EBT cards, such as fresh fruits and veggies, bread, dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and drinks that don’t contain alcohol.
What are food stamps and how they work
There are some limits on what can be bought with these perks, though. Except for a few limited exceptions, SNAP funds cannot be used to buy non-food items, booze, tobacco, vitamins, supplements, hot prepared foods, or meals from restaurants.
People often wonder if foreigners can get food stamps. Yes, but there are some conditions. People who are officially living in the United States as immigrants may be able to get SNAP if they meet the program’s requirements. Illegal immigrants, students, and tourists, on the other hand, are not qualified for this help.
Immigrant groups eligible for immediate SNAP benefits
Some immigrants can start getting SNAP benefits right away if they meet the program’s financial and non-financial standards. These are the groups:
- Refugees
- Individuals granted asylum
- Victims of severe human trafficking
- People with suspended deportation
- Amerasians
- Cuban and Haitian immigrants
- Special Immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan (SIV)
Some Native Americans who were born outside of the United States can also get SNAP. So can members of the Hmong or Laotian tribes from the highlands, as well as citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) agreements.
Waiting period for certain immigrants
Some groups of immigrants have to wait five years before they can get SNAP payments. This waiting time is for the following:
- Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) or Green Card holders
- Individuals granted parole for at least one year
- Conditional entrants
- Battered non-citizens
Exceptions to the waiting period
There are some situations where the five-year waiting time doesn’t apply. People in the following groups can get SNAP benefits right away:
- Children under 18 years of age
- Blind or disabled individuals receiving assistance benefits
- People aged 65 or older who have legally resided in the United States since before August 22, 1996
- Individuals with a military connection in the United States
- Afghans and Ukrainians who have been granted parole
Immigrants must show proof of their immigration status and meet the program’s income standards in order to apply for SNAP benefits. You can fill out an application online, over the phone, or in person at a Department of Social Services office near you.
The importance of food stamps for immigrants
Food stamps are very important for helping many immigrant families because they let them get healthy food that they might not be able to afford otherwise. This help not only makes people healthier and better nourished, but it also makes communities healthier and happier as a whole.
You can get more information and help with the application process by going to the USDA’s website or getting in touch with local groups that help foreigners. These groups can help and guide people through the whole application process, making sure that people get the benefits they’re due to as quickly as possible.
Food stamps are very important for a lot of newcomers in the United States. For these perks to be available, you need to know what the requirements are and how to apply. For people who need this help, staying aware and ready can make a big difference in making sure they can meet their nutritional needs effectively and with respect.