A person who has received an immigration status because they were battered by a spouse, child, or parent who is a United States citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. 

Eligibility	Many special conditions determine whether a person is eligible for particular programs. See the following information. Note: The battered individual is not eligible for benefits under this status when residing with the individual responsible for the battery, abuse or extreme cruelty.
Most common examples of Immigration Documentation	Approved Form I-360 under the Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service letter indicating "Prima Facie eligibility." Immigration Court document indicating a pending Cancellation of Removal case under the Violence Against Women's Act Cancellation of Removal noting battered spouse/child Stay of Deportation noting battered spouse/child
Likely to be sponsored?	No.
Category Code - Lawful Permanent Resident Card  Explains the code on the LPR card when a person "Adjusted from" this status.	B11, B12, B16, B17, B20, B21, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26, B27, B28, B29, B30, B31, B32, B33, B34, B35, B36, B37, B38, IB1, IB2, IB3, IB6, IB7, IB8, Z14
Category Code - Employment Authorization Document (EAD)  Explains a person's current status.	C31

A two-step process for determining eligibility

Determining eligibility requires both:

1.	Confirming the applicant’s status as a battered spouse, child, or parent of a battered child.
2.	Determining specific circumstances about their lives or history that match specific program policies. Those circumstances will determine which people are eligible for federally-funded benefits, for state-funded benefits or for no benefits.

Determining Cash Assistance eligibility

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

Federally Funded MFIP eligibility

Battered spouses, children, or parents of a battered child that meet any one of the following conditions is eligible for federally-funded MFIP:

●	Active duty U.S. military or honorably discharged U.S. veterans and their spouses and unmarried dependent children. Verify this by the U.S. military ID, or a document issued by a U.S. military branch confirming active military duty. This does not include service through the National Guard.
●	Have 40 qualifying Social Security work credits Do not allow credit for any credits after December 31, 1996, where an LPR received assistance from a federal means-tested program. See 0002.23 (Glossary: Fair Hearing…) To verify Social Security Credits, see 0031.39 (Verifying Social Security Credits for Noncitizen Eligibility for Cash and Food Programs), see also: How You Earn Credits 2022 (ssa.gov)
●	Has been a qualified non-citizen for five years or more. See 0002.53 (Glossary: Qualified…). Verify this by looking at the status grant date on the person’s immigration document(s) and reviewing what it means to be a qualified non-citizen.

If a child under age 18 does NOT meet one of the above bullets, they are eligible for a federally funded MFIP food portion.

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, Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA), General Assistance (GA), and Group Residential Housing (GRH).

Battered spouses, children, or parents of a battered child are eligible.

NOTE: For MFIP, children under age 18 are eligible for state-funded cash and federal-funded food benefits.

Diversionary Work Program

Follow MFIP guidance except where noted, See 0011.34 Family Stabilization Services, and 0013.05 - DWP Bases of Eligibility.

Determining Food Assistance eligibility

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

SNAP eligibility

Battered spouses, children, or parents of a battered child that meet any one of the following circumstances are eligible for SNAP:

●	Active duty U.S. military or honorably discharged U.S. veterans and their spouses and unmarried dependent children. Verify this by the U.S. military ID, or a document issued by a U.S. 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. Verify this through VerifyMN. See 0010.18.05 (Verifying Disability/Incapacity - Cash), and 0010.18.06 (Verifying Disability/Incapacity-SNAP)
●	Have 40 qualifying Social Security work credits Do not allow credit for any credits after December 31, 1996, where an LPR received assistance from a federal means-tested program. See 0002.23 (Glossary: Fair Hearing…) To verify Social Security Credits, see 0031.39 (Verifying Social Security Credits for Noncitizen Eligibility for Cash and Food Programs), see also: How You Earn Credits 2022 (ssa.gov)
●	A battered spouse, child, or parent of a battered child who has been in a qualified non-citizen status for at least five years. Verify this by looking at the status grant date on the person’s immigration document(s) and reviewing what it means to be a qualified non-citizen. People who have a “prima facie” eligibility letter from applying for an immigration status under the Violence Against Women Act are qualified non-citizens. The 5-year wait begins on the date of this letter.
●	Children under age 18.

If the battered spouse, child, or parent of a battered child is NOT eligible for federally-funded SNAP, consider their eligibility for state-funded SNAP.

State-funded SNAP (Minnesota Food Assistance Program)

●	To be eligible for the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the person must meet ALL 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 may be eligible for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). See 0029.07.09 (Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Programs).