People are eligible as an “American Indian Born in Canada” only if they have the required documentation listed below.

Some American Indians born in Canada can freely enter the United States after providing documentation of their status. People can enter the United States with a Certificate of Indian Status (CIS) card or Secured Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) card, also known as a "status card," issued by Indigenous Services Canada. This status card only works for entry into the United States. The status card alone is not enough to qualify for public benefits. People must meet other criteria to be eligible for public benefits. 

Eligibility	MFIP  MSA GA  *See below for more information for determining cash assistance eligibility.
Examples of Documentation	Both of the following: A Canadian birth certificate, AND Documentation of at least “one-half American Indian blood” (such as a “quantum letter” issued by the person’s tribe or a letter of ancestry issued by the federal office of Crown-Indigenous Relations showing at least 50% American Indian blood-quantum) OR I-551 stamp in Canadian passport  LPR Card with category code S13 I-94 record with code S13
Likely to be sponsored?	No.
Immigration Documents language	These immigration documents are often very unique Look for language on a document issued by the United States federal government that says the person: Entered the United States “under Section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act”, or  Is a member of a “Federally-recognized Indian tribe under §4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act”.  Submit a PQ with any questions.
Category Code - Lawful Permanent Resident Card  Explains a person's "Adjusted from" status.	S13
Category Code - I-94 record	LPR

Determining Cash Assistance eligibility

Determine if the person is eligible for federally-funded or state-funded MFIP.

Federally-Funded MFIP Eligibility
American Indians born in Canada are eligible for federally-funded MFIP from the date they become Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs).


State-Funded MFIP Eligibility
American Indians born in Canada who are not LPRs are eligible for state-funded MFIP.

See TE02.06.10 (American Indians Born in Canada), for system coding.


MSA, GA:
American Indians born in Canada are eligible.


HSP:
American Indians born in Canada are NOT eligible for HSPunless they have evidence that they are qualified non-citizens, including Lawful Permanent Resident status. 


SNAP:
American Indians born in Canada are ineligible for federally funded SNAP and state funded SNAP (MFAP); this includes UHFS. When an American Indian born in Canada has adjusted to Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, they are immediately eligible for SNAP with no waiting period. When they have adjusted to LPR, they are considered an LPR and must be coded and processed as an LPR. See 0031.09 (Lawful Permanent Residents).

See TE02.06.10 (American Indians Born in Canada), for system coding.