Food Stamps

As the House debates cuts for food stamp programs, many of the same myths are prevalent and causing concern among politicians. Many immigrants also choose to not get food stamps based on permeating myths throughout the community. However, these same common misunderstandings should not mean a family goes without food or a change in funding for the worse. Better policy may be able to correct some of the issues, but it isn’t necessarily helpful to turn policy issues into funding cuts. A USDA flier listed 10 myths about the SNAP or food stamp program, and why these myths are causing problems for recipients and policymakers.

1. You have to be a U.S. citizen to get SNAP or Food Stamps.

You have to be an “eligible” immigrant to receive food stamps. In addition, illegal immigrants cannot receive benefits, but their children may be able to. In addition, there is a wealth of hotlines available for food banks and hunger coalitions in local areas that help non-citizens.

2. Getting SNAP or food stamps hurts chances of becoming a citizen.

If you are a legal immigrant, it will not hurt your chances of becoming a citizen to get food stamps. If you are an illegal immigrant, then you’re not supposed to get food stamps.

3. If you don’t have legal status, you can’t get food stamps.

This is true to an extent, but children and legal immigrants who live with undocumented immigrants may be able to get food stamps.

4. Children of undocumented immigrants can’t get food stamps.

It depends. If the child is a legal citizen, as in he or she was born in the U.S. or has received legal presidency, then the child can receive SNAP benefits.

5. Undocumented people who ask about SNAP or live with people who get SNAP are reported to United States Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS).

SNAP information is confidential. The food stamp office will check the immigration documents on file with USCIS. If you are not documents, you won’t be asked for your immigrant documents. Other members of the household may also still apply and be eligible.

6. If USCIS finds out you get SNAP, then you have to pay it back.

If you receive the right amount of food stamps, you don’t have to pay anything back. You have to give the right information when you apply though, so make sure that it is correct or else this may lead to you receiving more than you should. If you do get SNAP because of the wrong information, you do have to pay back the monetary amount.

7. It will hurt your sponsor if you get SNAP.

Your sponsor’s income and resources are counted when you apply for food stamps, but there are exceptions to every rule. You should talk to your local food stamps office about this. If you do not get benefits, the rest of your household can still be eligible.

8. You can’t get food stamps even if you have a green card and work.

There are many legal immigrants who are eligible. If you have been in the U.S. legally for five years or are a child under 18, get a disability related benefits, or have enough work history in U.S., you will be able to get food stamps.

9. If you don’t speak English, you can’t apply for food stamps.

Anyone can apply for food stamps, and anyone can also get help to fill out the application. Some food stamp offices have applications that are in several languages. You can also find interpreters for you through the food stamp office.

10. You have to bring your own interpreter to apply for food stamps.

If there enough people who speak the same language at the office or if you call the hotline and receive translator, then you don’t need to have your own interpreter. The local food stamp offices are supposed to provide translation services for you.