Citizenship Overview - SNAP

To be eligible for SNAP benefits an individual must be:

• a citizen of the United States, defined as an individual born in:
  • any of the United States
  • the District of Columbia
  • the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
  • Guam
  • the Virgin Islands; and
  • Nationals from American Samoa or Swain’s Island; or
  • an American Indian born to the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas (formerly known, jointly, as the “Texas Band of Kickapoo”).

A statement certifying, under penalty of perjury, to the truth of the information contained in the application of the citizenship or noncitizen status of each member in the household applying for SNAP benefits, is part of the application and must be completed. The signature of the applicant on the application certifies the information.

Note: The presence in a household of a member who does not meet the above criteria shall not prevent the remainder of the household from applying for and, if eligible, receive benefits.

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Verification of Citizenship

Documentary evidence or collateral contact to verify citizenship is only required when the information on the application is questionable.

Acceptable forms of verification to indicate the place of birth or citizenship include:

• Birth certificate
• Baptismal record
• United States passport
• Hospital birth record
• Voter registration
• Naturalization certificate
• US Citizen Identity Card (INS Form I-179)
• US Citizen Resident’s Card (INS Form I-197)
• Court records that specifically state the citizenship of the individual
• Military service papers that indicate citizenship
• American Indian Card with a classification code ’KIC’ and a statement on the back (identifying U.S. citizen members of the Texas Band of Kickapoos living near the U.S./Mexican border).

Important: In the past members of the Texas Band were given a time-limited opportunity to apply for U.S. citizenship. This expired in 1989. Some members did not apply for US citizenship and would therefore not be considered US Citizens. They would be held to regular noncitizen eligibility rules.

• Proof that:
  • both parents became naturalized citizens before this person either turned age 18 or married while under age 18; and
  • at the time the second parent or surviving parent was naturalized, this person:
    • was residing in the U.S. with lawful admission for permanent resident status; or
    • began residing permanently in the U.S. while under the age of 18;
• Proof that at least one parent is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization and the foreign born child, including an adopted child:
  • is under 18 years of age;
  • is currently residing permanently in the U. S. in the legal and physical custody of the United States citizen parent; and
  • is a lawful permanent resident; or
• Proof that, at the time of this person’s birth, one parent was a U.S. citizen residing in the U.S. for more than five years, two years of which were after the parent was 14 years old.

Note: Participation in the TAFDC program can also be considered acceptable verification, as verification of citizenship (including self-declaration) was obtained for that program at the time of application.

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Self-Declaration of Citizenship

If the above forms of verification cannot be obtained and the household can provide a reasonable explanation as to why verification is not available, you will accept a signed statement from someone who is a U.S. citizen that declares, under penalty of perjury, that the household member in question is a U.S. citizen. The signed statement shall contain a warning of the penalties for helping someone commit fraud.

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Participation Pending Verification of U.S. Citizenship

A member whose U.S. citizenship is questionable and cannot be verified will be ineligible and shall be disqualified on the basis of being an ineligible noncitizen, unless another eligible status can be claimed.