This chart compares state-funded public benefits across states. The chart reports on state funded TANF, medical assistance, food stamps and driver’s licenses. This chart can be used together with NIWAP state by state benefits charts to look up the full legal citations that support immigrant crime victim eligibility in your state and neighboring states. To identify and compare the statutory and regulatory language used in any of the state statutes cited in this chart go to the NIWAP webpage that contains links to all state public benefits charts. https://niwaplibrary.wcl.american.edu/all-state-public-benefits-charts
Public Benefits & Economic Stability > Food Stamps
Topic: Food Stamps
Materials regarding food stamps.
[pdf] Bench Card on Immigrant Crime Victim’s and Immigrant Children’s Access to Public Benefits and Services (December 31, 2021) (+)
This bench card provides an outline for judges of the publicly funded state and federal public benefits and services that are open to all immigrants without regard to immigration status. The bench card then describes at what points in an immigrant victim, child or other litigant’s immigration case process they gain again access to a broader range of state and federal public benefits including subsidized health care, food stamps, TANF, housing, post-secondary educational grants and loans and a wide range of other benefits. Having a list of which immigrant qualify for which benefits and services will help judges craft court orders in cases involving immigrnat children, crime victims and their families.
[pdf] Privacy Protections for Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, Child Abuse and Other Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits (October 14, 2020) (+)
The fact sheet provides an overview which government officials state or federal have obligations to inquire into or report immigrants whom they believe may not be in the U.S. lawfully to the Department of Homeland Security. This document discussed the very limited circumstances (in the context of certain public benefits applications) in which government officials are required by federal law to report an individual’s believed citizenship or immigration status to DHS.
[pdf] Privacy Protections in Selected Federal Benefits Programs (+)
This document provides an overview of application requirements for specific public benefit programs.
[pdf] Model Letter and Appendix on Privacy Protections in Selected Federal Benefits Programs (+)
A model letter and appendix which includes federal laws, regulations, and guidance to protect the personal information of immigrants applying for public benefits.
[pdf] Triagency Letter: Citizenship Immigration Status and Social Security Numbers (January 21, 2003) (+)
Letter from HHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Policy guidance regarding inquiries into citizenship, immigration status, and social security numbers in state applications for medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and food stamp benefits. Approved for distribution by OMB. Form Approved OMB# 0990-0379 Exp. Date 9/30/2020
[pdf] Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Guidance on Non-Citizen Eligibility (6.30.11) (+)
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s SNAP program outlining non-citizen eligibility. 2011
[pdf] Detained or Deported: What About My Children? What to do if You Can’t Be With Them (+)
This guide describes the child welfare system in great detail. If you do not know what a word or term means, see the Glossary. You may need to read certain sections in this guide several times in order to understand and you may also need to ask someone else for help.
[pdf] Chapter 04.3: Barriers to Accessing Services: The Importance of Advocates Accompanying Battered Immigrants Applying for Public Benefits (+)
This chapter discusses the different barriers which immigrants may encounter with regard to accessing services. It discusses the impact of Welfare Reform on immigrant families. This chapter also includes a policy guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, regarding handling questions on citizenship, immigration status, and social security numbers during the benefits application process, as well as facilitating access to public benefits for persons with limited English proficiency (LEP). Other topics included in this chapter are Medicaid and SCHIP, food stamps, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
[pdf] Bench Card Trafficking Victim Immigration and Public Benefits Eligibility Process (December 31, 2021) (+)
This Benchcard discusses the qualifications for Continued Presence status, how to apply for and obtain Office of Refugee and Resettlement benefits eligibility based on Continued Presence, qualifications for T-Visa status, how to apply for a T-Visa, and how to receive benefits after receiving Continued Presence status or a T-Visa. It also outlines the federal and state public benefits and other government-funded programs available to trafficking victims as well as the eligibility period.
[pdf] Immigrants’ Access to Programs and Services Necessary to Protect Life and Safety and Post-Assault Health Care (+)
Information regarding immigrants’ access to programs and services necessary to protect life and safety and post-assault health care. This reading covers the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, community health centers, the Fair Housing Act, the McKinney Homeless Act, and legal services.
[pdf] Somewhere to Turn (+)
A comprehensive manual covering topics such as: domestic violence and battered immigrant issues, cultural competency training, cross-cultural interviewing, recruiting and hiring multilingual and multicultural staff, shelter protocols, outreach and community collaboration, shelter access for battered immigrant women, VAWA immigration cases and victim advocacy confidentiality, creative use of protection orders, protections orders enforcement and criminal prosecution, access to public benefits, verification and reporting requirements under the U.S. Attorney General’s guidance and order, and model programs.
[pdf] Policy Guidance RE: Citizenship, Immigration Status, and Social Security Numbers (January 21, 2003) (+)
Policy guidance regarding inquiries into citizenship, immigration status, and social security numbers in state applications for Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and food stamp benefits. Updated in 2006 and July 26, 2013.
[pdf] Access to Public Benefits for Battered Immigrant Women and Children (September 1999) (+)
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRAIRA) have substantially altered an immigrant’s ability to receive public benefits. These laws eliminated eligibility for most immigrants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and federal food stamps and gave states the discretion to determine whether immigrants can qualify for federal, state, and local public benefit programs. Subsequent laws, however, have restored access to SSI and food stamps for very limited numbers of immigrants.
[pdf] Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants (+)
This brochure highlights services and benefits that are available to immigrants in the US who do not have proper documentation. It also provides a list of agencies that offer services for immigrants and helpful information that may assist immigrants to navigate New York City’s benefits and services available to themselves and their children.