The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, removed SNAP eligibility for most refugees, asylees, and other humanitarian entrants. As of November 1, 2025, most newly arrived refugees cannot receive federal food assistance through SNAP unless they hold Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status, commonly known as a green card. If you or someone you know arrived as a refugee and relied on SNAP, this guide explains exactly what changed, who is still eligible, and what steps may restore access.
What the OBBBA Changed for Refugees and SNAP
Before July 4, 2025, refugees were among the most protected noncitizen categories for SNAP eligibility. Federal law allowed refugees, asylees, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, and similar humanitarian populations to receive SNAP immediately upon arrival, without a waiting period.
Section 10108 of the OBBBA took effect on the date of signing. It narrowed SNAP eligibility for noncitizens to four categories:
- U.S. citizens
- Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders)
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Certain Compact of Free Association (COFA) nation residents
Everyone else, including refugees holding refugee status, asylees, Afghan and Iraqi SIV holders, survivors of trafficking (T visa holders), and survivors of domestic violence (VAWA recipients), lost categorical SNAP eligibility.
States had 120 days to implement the changes. Full enforcement began November 1, 2025.
Who Lost SNAP Eligibility Under OBBBA
The following humanitarian immigration categories are no longer eligible for SNAP under federal law:
| Immigration Status | SNAP Eligibility Before OBBBA | SNAP Eligibility After OBBBA |
|---|
| Refugees (refugee status) | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| Asylees (granted asylum) | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| Afghan SIV holders | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| Iraqi SIV holders | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| T visa holders (trafficking survivors) | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| VAWA recipients | Eligible immediately | Ineligible |
| Parolees (humanitarian parole) | Eligible in some states | Ineligible |
| Pending asylum applicants | Ineligible (no change) | Ineligible |
Who Can Still Get SNAP
If you are a noncitizen, SNAP is still available to you if you fall into one of these categories and meet income and household requirements:
Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders): LPRs may qualify for SNAP, but many are subject to a five-year waiting period from their date of obtaining LPR status. There are key exceptions to this rule (see the section below on the five-year bar).
Cuban and Haitian entrants: This specific status category, distinct from general asylum or refugee status, retained SNAP eligibility under the OBBBA.
COFA residents: Citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau who reside in the U.S. under the Compact of Free Association remain eligible.
U.S. citizens: Anyone who has naturalized or was born a U.S. citizen is eligible based on income and household requirements alone.
The Green Card Path and the Five-Year Bar
The most important thing to understand after the OBBBA is the relationship between refugee status, green card status, and the five-year bar.
Refugees are required to apply for LPR status (a green card) within one year of arrival. Once they receive that green card, their SNAP eligibility situation changes.
Under longstanding federal law, refugees, asylees, and SIV holders who adjust to LPR status are exempt from the standard five-year waiting period. This means a refugee who becomes an LPR should be able to apply for SNAP immediately, without waiting five years, as long as they meet income requirements.
However, there is a significant implementation problem. USDA guidance issued alongside the OBBBA created confusion in some states. Several states have been incorrectly applying the five-year bar to refugees and asylees who became LPRs, denying them benefits they are legally entitled to. Advocacy organizations including the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and Church World Service (CWS) have flagged this issue.
If you are a refugee or asylee who has received a green card and your SNAP application was denied due to the five-year bar, you may have grounds to appeal. Contact a legal aid organization or an immigration attorney for help.
SNAP Income Limits That Still Apply
For those who do qualify, SNAP still has standard income eligibility rules. Meeting the immigration status requirement is only the first step. You also must meet these income thresholds (FY 2026, 48 contiguous states):
Gross income limit: 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
Net income limit: 100% FPL
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (130% FPL) | Net Monthly Income Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $1,729 | $1,330 |
| 2 | $2,335 | $1,797 |
| 3 | $2,942 | $2,264 |
| 4 | $3,548 | $2,730 |
| 5 | $4,155 | $3,197 |
| 6 | $4,761 | $3,663 |
| Each additional | +$607 | +$467 |
Households with a member aged 60 or older, or a member with a qualifying disability, only need to meet the net income test.
Note: More than 40 states use Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which can raise the gross income limit to 200% FPL. However, BBCE eligibility may also be affected by immigration status rules in your state.
What Refugees Who Lost Eligibility Can Do Now
Losing SNAP access is a serious hardship. These are practical steps that may help:
1. Check if you qualify through another household member. If a U.S. citizen child lives in your household, that child may be eligible for SNAP even if you are not. Mixed-status households can apply for the eligible members only.
2. Apply for a green card if you have not already. If you arrived as a refugee more than a year ago and have not applied for LPR status, doing so restores a path to SNAP eligibility. Contact a refugee resettlement agency or legal aid organization for help.
3. Contact your local refugee resettlement agency. Agencies funded through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) can connect you with emergency food assistance, local food banks, and other resources while your status is resolved.
4. Check for state-funded programs. Some states have created or expanded state-funded food assistance programs to serve populations that lost federal SNAP eligibility. These vary widely by state. Check your state's social services agency for current programs.
5. Use food banks and pantries. The network of food banks through Feeding America operates independently of immigration status. Find your nearest food bank at feedingamerica.org.
6. If you are an LPR (green card holder) and were denied, appeal. As noted above, LPRs with refugee or asylee backgrounds should not face the five-year bar. If your application was denied incorrectly, file an appeal and contact legal aid.
State-Funded Alternatives
Federal SNAP eligibility controls whether you can access federally funded food benefits. States have the option to create separate, state-funded food assistance for noncitizens who lost federal eligibility. As of early 2026, a small number of states have taken steps to fill some of this gap. These programs differ from federal SNAP in benefit amounts, eligibility rules, and funding stability.
To find out if your state offers a state-funded alternative, contact your state's Department of Social Services or Department of Human Services, or reach out to a local refugee resettlement agency.
Key Dates to Know
| Date | Event |
|---|
| July 4, 2025 | OBBBA signed into law; Section 10108 effective immediately |
| November 1, 2025 | State implementation deadline; full enforcement began |
| Ongoing | States continue adjusting systems; some appeals and legal challenges in progress |
How to Apply for SNAP If You Are Eligible
If you are an LPR, Cuban/Haitian entrant, COFA resident, or U.S. citizen who meets income requirements, here is how to apply:
-
Find your state SNAP office. Each state runs its own SNAP program. Search for "[your state] SNAP application" or visit your state's social services website.
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Gather documents. You will typically need proof of identity, immigration status documents (green card, I-551), proof of income, proof of residence, and Social Security numbers for eligible household members.
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Submit your application. Most states accept applications online, by mail, or in person. Some states also allow phone applications.
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Attend an interview. Most states require a phone or in-person interview as part of the application process.
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Receive a decision. States must process most SNAP applications within 30 days. If you are approved, you will receive an EBT card to use at grocery stores.
Use the free eligibility screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check whether you or members of your household may qualify for SNAP and other programs based on your current situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do refugees automatically lose SNAP under the OBBBA?
Yes, if you hold refugee status and not LPR status, you are no longer eligible for federal SNAP benefits as of November 1, 2025. The OBBBA removed refugee status from the list of qualifying noncitizen categories for SNAP.
Can a refugee's U.S.-born children still get SNAP?
Yes. U.S.-born children are U.S. citizens regardless of their parents' immigration status. They can receive SNAP based on the household's income. The household can apply for SNAP for the eligible children only, and the parents' income is still counted in the household income calculation.
If a refugee gets a green card, do they have to wait five years for SNAP?
No. Under federal law that predates the OBBBA, refugees, asylees, and SIV holders who adjust to LPR status are exempt from the five-year waiting period. They should be able to apply for SNAP immediately after receiving their green card, if they meet income requirements. Some states have been applying the five-year bar incorrectly. If this happens to you, file an appeal.
What about asylees? Are they treated the same as refugees?
Yes. Asylees (people granted asylum by an immigration judge or asylum officer) lost SNAP eligibility under the OBBBA under the same rules as refugees. Like refugees, they retain the path to eligibility through LPR adjustment, without the five-year bar.
Are Cuban and Haitian entrants affected by these changes?
No. Cuban and Haitian entrants are one of the four categories that retained SNAP eligibility under the OBBBA. If you hold this status and meet income requirements, you may still apply for SNAP.
Can states choose to still give SNAP to refugees using state funds?
Federal SNAP funding is not available for refugees who lost eligibility under the OBBBA. However, states can use their own funds to create separate food assistance programs. This is not required, and most states have not fully replaced the lost benefits. Check with your state's social services agency.
Where can refugees get emergency food assistance now?
Contact your local refugee resettlement agency, your state's Department of Social Services for any state-funded alternatives, and local food banks through Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). These resources are available regardless of immigration status.
Does the OBBBA affect WIC or other food programs?
The OBBBA's Section 10108 specifically addressed SNAP eligibility. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) has different eligibility rules. As of early 2026, WIC eligibility for noncitizens has not been changed by the OBBBA in the same way. Check with your local WIC office for current rules in your state.
