I am not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, am I eligible for SNAP benefits?
If you are a non-citizen, you may be able to get SNAP benefits if you meet the SNAP rules based on your status.
You are eligible if you are a non-citizen who is in one of these groups:
- Cuban or Haitian Entrants (CHE)
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau
- Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
If you are CHE or COFA citizen, you can get SNAP right away. There is no waiting period, as long as you meet all other SNAP rules.
In most cases, if you are an LPR, you must live in the U.S. as a qualified non-citizen for at least 5 years and meet all other SNAP rules. You do not have to wait 5 years if you:
- are under 18 years old;
- have 40 qualifying work quarters;
- are blind or disabled;
- were lawfully residing in the U.S. and 65 or older on August 22, 1996;
- have a U.S. military connection; or
- change to an LPR from certain non-citizen statuses
What if I change to LPR from another non-citizen status?
If you change your status to LPR, you may be eligible for SNAP if you meet all other SNAP rules.
If you change to LPR from the below groups, you still need to wait 5 years from your initial status before you can get SNAP:
- Battered non-citizens
- Conditional Entrants
- Individuals granted Parole for a period of at least 1 year
If you change to LPR from the below groups, you do not need to wait 5 years to get SNAP if you meet all other SNAP rules:
- Afghan Special Immigrant (SIV)
- Amerasian
- American Indians Born Abroad
- Asylee
- Certain Afghan Nationals Granted Parole Between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2023
- Certain Ukrainian National Granted Parole Between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2024
- Deportation or Removal Withheld
- Hmong or Highland Laotian Tribal Member
- Iraqi Special Immigrant (SIV)
- Refugee
- Victims of Severe Trafficking
Can I still get SNAP for my kids or family?
If you can’t get SNAP because of your immigration status, other people in your home can still get SNAP if they are eligible.
For example, if your kids are U.S. citizens, they can get SNAP even if you cannot.
How can I apply for SNAP?
There are 3 ways you can apply:
- Online
We will get your application sooner - By mail
Send your paper application to:
DSS Scanning Center - PO Box 1320
Manchester, CT 06045-1320 - In person
Go to a local DSS Resource Center to fill out, or drop off a paper application
Apply on paper in English
Aplicar en papel en español
You can get help to apply by contacting your local Community Action Agency or through partners such as Frontdoor Benefits.
Can I file a hearing?
If you feel that we made a mistake you may request a hearing within 60 days of the date of your denial. You can file a fair hearing by:
- Calling 1-800-462-0134,
- Faxing a request to (860) 424-5729, or
- Mailing a request to:
Department of Social Services, Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations, and Administrative Hearings, 55 Farmington Ave., Hartford, CT 06105.
Where else can I go for help?
Contact:
- Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (203)336-0141,
- Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (203)562-2095, or
- Jewish Family Services of Greenwich (203)622-1881
If you need help finding food in your area call or visit 211.
You can also visit Food Assistance - SNAP-Other Food Programs.
For more information, please visit Eligible Non-Citizen Criteria.