IM-104 December 4, 2006; IM-103 October 4, 2004; IM-56 April 18, 2003; IM-142 November 6, 1998
To be eligible for food stamp benefits, EU members must be residents of the United States and one of the following:
- a United States citizen
- a United States non-citizen National (see 1105.010.02 United States Non-citizen Nationals)
- a Cross-border Native American (see 1105.010.03 Cross-Border Native Americans)
- a Hmong, Laotian Highlander (see 1105.010.04 Hmong, Laotian Highlanders)
- an immigrant who is both a qualified (see 1105.010.05 Qualified Immigrants) and eligible (see 1105.010.10 Eligible Immigrants)
Only one adult EU member is necessary to attest to the citizenship or immigrant status of all EU members. This statement is made during the interview and recorded on the controlled flow or on the FS-1 application form. If any individual is not a U.S. citizen, the non-citizen/immigrant information is captured on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen. Record the date of entry, status, and status begin date. The status begin date is the date the individual gained that particular status. If verification is not provided, leave the document type and verification fields blank. FAMIS pends the application until proper documentation is provided and entered. Verification other than client statement is not required for those who decline to declare, do not agree to sponsor contact, or have no documentation.
Advise the applicant prior to being asked to make a declaration of citizenship that s/he can decline to provide this information for any EU member. The applicant also has the right to not consent to contacting the sponsor (see 1105.010.20.05 Definition of Sponsor) of any EU member. If citizenship or sponsor information is not declared/provided for an individual(s), the individual(s) will not receive food stamp benefits. However, all resources and all but a prorated share of income of the individual(s) will be counted for the remaining EU members. For food stamp only cases the status code for individuals who decline to declare or those who do not consent to sponsor contact is DTD on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen in FAMIS. If the sponsor information is not provided for the sponsored immigrant(s), prompt (F4=PROMPT) or enter “No” in the “Agree to Contact Sponsor” field on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen. Enter CS (client statement) in the VER (verification) field.
NOTE: Any food stamp combination cases with Temporary Assistance/Medicaid enter the appropriate status code on the Non-Citizen Information (FMML) screen.
Routine verification of citizenship is prohibited unless it is inconsistent with other statements made by the applicant, information on the application, previous applications, or other information known to FSD. If information from another source contradicts statements made by a member of the EU, give the EU a reasonable opportunity (a minimum of ten days) to resolve the discrepancy. If this occurs during the application process, FAMIS pends the case for thirty days (for initial and non-timely reapplications) or until the end of the current certification (for timely reapplications) for the verification to be provided. If the verification is not provided, the individual is rejected. If this occurs while the case is active and is an interim change, the EU is given ten days to provide the documentation. If the verification is not provided, reject the individual by entering status code NOD and completing an eligibility determination. Do not allow the case to be closed, unless other verification is not provided. The EU member’s role is IC (included).
Determine whether a legal permanent resident is a sponsored immigrant. Advise sponsored immigrant applicants about sponsor liability (see 1105.010.20.10 Sponsor Liability) and sponsor deeming (see 1105.010.20.15 Sponsor Deeming) prior to completing the application for benefits. Obtain information as appropriate regarding the sponsor.