Minnesota Minnesota

Combined Manual

Combined Manual


LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS

ISSUE DATE: 05/2024

Non-citizens who have been granted permission to live and work in the United States permanently. 

Eligibility

Many special conditions determine whether a Lawful Permanent Resident is eligible for particular programs. See the following information.

Most common examples of Immigration Documentation

  • Lawful Permanent Resident card 
  • I-94 showing stamp for admission as Lawful Permanent Resident 
  • I-551 Passport Stamp
  • Note on VISA that states it serves as a Temporary I-551 which is evidence of Lawful Permanent Resident Status

Likely to be sponsored?

Sometimes, if in an Immediate Relative or Family Sponsored category code, see https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents/ImmigrantCOA

Category Code - Lawful Permanent Resident Card 

  • Explains a person's "Adjusted from" status.

For the most common category codes on Lawful Permanent Resident cards, see https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents/ImmigrantCOA.

Combined Manual Reference

0031.03.12 (Applicants for Lawful Permanent Resident Status)

A two-step process for determining eligibility.

Determining eligibility requires both:

1.

Confirm the applicant’s lawful permanent resident status.

2.

Determine specific circumstances about their lives or history that match specific program policies.

  • Those circumstances will determine which lawful permanent residents are eligible for federally-funded benefits, for state-funded benefits or for no benefits.

Determining Food Assistance eligibility

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

SNAP eligibility

Lawful permanent residents who meet any one of the following circumstances are eligible for SNAP:

●

Active duty United States military or honorably discharged United States veterans and their spouses and unmarried dependent children.

  • Verify this by the United States military ID, or a document issued by a United States military branch confirming active military duty. This does not include service through the National Guard.

●

Blind or disabled and receiving federal benefits for that condition.

●

In Lawful Permanent Resident Status since before August 22, 1996

  • Verify this by looking at the date status granted on a person’s Lawful Permanent Resident card. 

●

Previously held one of the following statuses:

  • Refugee
  • Asylee
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrant
  • Iraqi/Afghan Special Immigrant
  • Certain Amerasians
  • Victim of Trafficking

Verify this through the category code on the person’s immigration document, see Immigration Document Examples.

●

A lawful permanent resident who has been in lawful permanent resident status in the United States for at least five years.

  • Verify this by looking at the status grant date on the person’s Lawful Permanent Resident Card.

●

Children under age 18.

●

If they do not meet any of the above criteria, review if they have 40 qualifying social security work credits.

NOTE: If the lawful permanent resident is NOT eligible for SNAP, consider their eligibility for the State-funded SNAP (Minnesota Food Assistance Program).

State-Funded SNAP (Minnesota Food Assistance Program)

●

To be eligible for the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the person must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Be eligible for SNAP except for their immigration status,
  • Be 50 years old or older,
  • Be a resident of Minnesota, and
  • Not receiving MFIP.

●

If the person is not eligible for SNAP or the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, they are not eligible for any public food support assistance programs.  

Determining Cash Assistance eligibility

Some families may be eligible for federally-funded MFIP.  Others might be eligible for state-funded MFIP.  Determine if they are eligible for federally-funded MFIP first.

Federally-Funded MFIP Eligibility

Lawful Permanent Residents meeting any one of the following conditions is eligible for federally-funded MFIP: 

●

Active duty United States military or honorably discharged United States veterans and their spouses and unmarried dependent children.

  • Verify this by the United States military ID, or a document issued by a United States military branch confirming active military duty. This does not include service through the National Guard.

●

In Lawful Permanent Resident Status since before August 22, 1996

  • Verify this by looking at the “Resident Since” date on the person’s Lawful Permanent Resident Card.

●

Previously held one of the following statuses:

  • Refugee
  • Asylee
  • Cuban/Haitian Entrant
  • Iraqi/Afghan Special Immigrant
  • Certain Amerasians
  • Victim of Trafficking

Verify this through the category code on the person’s immigration document, see https://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics/lawful-permanent-residents/ImmigrantCOA.

●

Have 40 qualifying Social Security work credits.

- NOTE: People who fall under this category are eligible for federally-funded food potion.

NOTE: If the person is NOT eligible for federally-funded benefits, then consider whether they are eligible for state-funded benefits.

State Funded MFIP Benefits

A lawful permanent resident is eligible for state-funded MFIP benefits if they are not eligible for federally funded MFIP and meet one of the following conditions:

●

They have had lawful permanent resident status in the United States for less than four years, or

●

They are under age 18 or over age 69, or

●

They have had lawful permanent resident status for more than four years and less than five years, they are 18-69 years old, and they meet one of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in a literacy class, English as a Second Language class, or a citizenship class.
  • Applied for admission to a literacy class or English as a Second Language class and is on a waiting list.
  • In the process of applying for a waiver from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the English language or civics requirements of the citizenship test.
  • Have submitted an application for citizenship to the USCIS and are waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony.
  • Have been denied citizenship due to a failure to pass the test after two or more attempts or because of an inability to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United States citizen, as documented by the USCIS or the county agency.

People who have had lawful permanent resident status for more than four years and less than five years and are 18-69 years old but do not meet one of the criteria above are not eligible for state-funded MFIP.

Diversionary Work Program

Follow MFIP guidance unless the person is enrolled in Family Stabilization Services, See 0011.34 Family Stabilization Services, and 0013.05 - DWP Bases of Eligibility.

Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA) and General Assistance (GA)

A lawful permanent resident is eligible for GA or MSA.

●

An adult lawful permanent resident who has resided in the United States for four years or more and who is under age 70 must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in a literacy class, English as a Second Language class, or a citizenship class.
  • Applied for admission to a literacy class or English as a Second Language class and is on a waiting list.
  • In the process of applying for a waiver from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the English language or civics requirements of the citizenship test.
  • Have submitted an application for citizenship to the USCIS and are waiting for a testing date or a subsequent swearing in ceremony.
  • Have been denied citizenship due to a failure to pass the test after two or more attempts or because of an inability to understand the rights and responsibilities of becoming a United States citizen, as documented by the USCIS or the county agency.

GRH

Lawful Permanent Residents are eligible.

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