IM-99 July 3, 2019; IM-23 April 18, 2011; IM-61 June 27, 2007; IM-104 December 4, 2006; IM-103 October 4, 2004; IM-56 April 18, 2003
Certain non-citizen Nationals of the United States can receive Food Stamp benefits. These individuals can receive Food Stamp benefits indefinitely as long as they meet other Food Stamp financial and non-financial requirements. Enter NAT (Nationals) in the status code field of the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen in FAMIS. The applicant’s statement that he or she is a U.S. non-citizen National is sufficient for Food Stamp purposes. Verification of citizenship status is not required unless questionable.
Individuals born in one of the following territories are eligible for Food Stamp benefits as a National:
- District of Columbia (Washington, DC)
- Puerto Rico
- Guam
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- American Samoa
- Northern Mariana Islands
Primary documentation/verification of National status includes:
- Evidence of birth such as birth certificate showing birth in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Mariana Islands; Certificate of Birth (FS-545) or Certification of Report of Birth (DS-1350); NOTE: Puerto Rican birth certificates issued prior to October 1, 2010 cannot be used to verify an EU member’s identity. New birth certificates will be issued to those who apply for them after October 1, 2010.
- Form N-550 or N-570, Certificate of Naturalization;
- Form N-560 or N-561, Certificate of Citizenship issued by USCIS to individuals who derive U.S. Citizenship through a parent; or
- Form I-873 (or prior versions, Northern Marianas Card issued by USCIS to a collectively naturalized U.S. Citizen who was born in the North Marianas Islands before November 3, 1986.
Secondary documentation/verification includes:
- Religious records, recorded in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Marianas Islands showing the birth occurred in the jurisdiction or either the date of birth or the age at the time the record was made.
- Evidence of Civil Service employment by the U.S. government before June 1, 1976.
- Early school records (preferably from the first school) showing the date of admission to the school, the applicant’s date and place of birth, and the name of the applicant’s parents.
- Census records showing name, U.S. Nationality or a U.S. place of birth and the applicant’s date of birth or age.
- Adoption finalization papers showing the applicant’s name and place of birth in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, or the Northern Marianas Islands or from a jurisdiction approved adoption agency showing the applicant’s name and place of birth in one of the jurisdictions.
- Any other document that establishes a U.S. place of birth or otherwise indicates U.S. nationality.
Contact Food Stamp Program and Policy for additional sources of primary or secondary verification of U.S. Nationality.