Chapter 388-424 WAC:

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Chapter 388-424 WAC

Last Update: 12/29/22

CITIZENSHIP/ALIEN STATUS

WAC Sections

HTML PDF	388-424-0001	Citizenship and immigration status—Definitions.
HTML PDF	388-424-0006	Citizenship and alien status—Date of entry.
HTML PDF	388-424-0007	Citizenship and alien status—Armed services or veteran status.
HTML PDF	388-424-0008	Citizenship and alien status—Work quarters.
HTML PDF	388-424-0009	Citizenship and immigration status—Social Security number (SSN) requirements.
HTML PDF	388-424-0010	Citizenship and immigration status—Eligibility for TANF.
HTML PDF	388-424-0015	Immigrant eligibility restrictions for the SFA, ABD cash, and PWA programs.
HTML PDF	388-424-0020	How does my alien status impact my eligibility for federally funded Basic Food benefits?
HTML PDF	388-424-0030	How does my immigration status impact my eligibility for state-funded benefits under the food assistance program?
HTML PDF	388-424-0035	Verifications—Survivors of certain crimes.

DISPOSITION OF SECTIONS FORMERLY CODIFIED IN THIS TITLE


388-424-0005	The effect of citizenship and alien status on eligibility for benefits. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.08A.100. WSR 99-17-023, § 388-424-0005, filed 8/10/99, effective 9/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-424-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-505-0520, 388-518-1805 and 388-510-1020.] Repealed by WSR 04-15-004, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.
388-424-0016	Citizenship and alien status—Immigrant eligibility restrictions for state medical benefits. [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. No. 111-3 (H.R. 2, Title II, Sec. 214 -Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009); P.L. No. 111-08 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter #09-17. WSR 09-15-082, § 388-424-0016, filed 7/14/09, effective 8/14/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0016, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.] Repealed by WSR 12-10-042, filed 4/27/12, effective 6/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 36.
388-424-0025	How does my alien status impact my eligibility for state-funded benefits under the Washington Basic Food program? [Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0025, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510. WSR 03-05-029, § 388-424-0025, filed 2/10/03, effective 4/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08A.120. WSR 00-13-036, § 388-424-0025, filed 6/13/00, effective 7/14/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-424-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-518-1805.] Repealed by WSR 11-02-035, filed 12/29/10, effective 2/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120.

PDF388-424-0001

Citizenship and immigration status—Definitions.

For the purposes of determining an individual's citizenship and immigration status for public assistance, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Lawfully present" are immigrants or noncitizens who have been inspected and admitted into the United States and have not overstayed the period for which they were admitted, or have current permission from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) to stay or live in the U.S.

(2) "Qualified aliens" are lawfully present immigrants defined in federal law as one of the following:

(a) Individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence (LPRs).

(b) Individuals who are admitted to the U.S. as refugees under INA §207. The following individuals are treated the same as refugees in their eligibility for public assistance:

(i) Hmong or Highland Lao are members of a Hmong or Highland Laotian tribe which rendered military assistance to the U.S. during the Vietnam era (August 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975), and are "lawfully present" in the U.S. This category also includes the spouse (including unremarried widow or widower) or unmarried dependent child of such tribal members.

(ii) Victims of trafficking according to federal law are:

(A) Individuals who have been certified as victims of trafficking by the federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office on Trafficking in Person (OTIP), or have been granted a T visa.

(B) Immediate family members of trafficking victims. Immediate family members are the spouse or child of a victim of any age and the parent or unmarried minor sibling if the victim is under 21 years old.

(iii) Afghan nationals and their spouses and children, paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022, after evacuation from Afghanistan to the U.S., or to a location overseas: or

(A) an individual who was paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022, and is the spouse or child of an Afghan national as defined in subsection (iii) of this section;

(B) an individual who is the parent or legal guardian of an individual defined in subsection (iii) of this section who is determined to be an unaccompanied child;

(iv) Special immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan are individuals granted:

(A) Special immigrant status under INA §101 (a)(27);

(B) Special immigrant conditional permanent resident; or

(v) Individuals from Ukraine and their family members admitted as humanitarian parolees between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023, and whose parole has not been terminated by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who are:

(A) Citizens or nationals of Ukraine;

(B) Non-Ukrainian individuals who were habitually residing in Ukraine, and have documentation confirming last habitual residence in Ukraine;

(C) Individuals who were first granted humanitarian parole, and then obtained temporary protected status (TPS). They are eligible for federally funded assistance until the end of their parole term due to underlying receipt of humanitarian parole;

(D) A spouse or child of an individual described in subsections (A)-(C) of this section who is paroled into the United States after September 30, 2023;

(E) A parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied refugee minor or an unaccompanied child described in subsections (A)-(C) of this section who is paroled into the United States after September 30, 2023.

(d) Cuban/Haitian entrants. These are nationals of Cuba or Haiti who were paroled into the U.S. or given other special status.

(e) Abused spouses or children, parents of abused children, or children of abused spouses:

(i) When the alien no longer resides with the person who committed the abuse, and has one of the following:

(A) A pending or approved I-130 petition or application to immigrate as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen or as the spouse or unmarried child under age 21 of a lawful permanent resident (LPR);

(B) A notice of "prima facie" approval of a pending self-petition under the violence against women act (VAWA); or

(ii) Children of an abused spouse do not need their own separate pending or approved petition, but are included in their parent's petition if it was filed before they turned 21 years old. Children of abused persons who meet the conditions in this section retain their "qualified alien" status even after they turn 21 years old.

(f) Individuals who have been granted parole into the U.S. for at least a period of one year (or indefinitely) under INA §212 (d)(5), including "public interest" parolees.

(g) Individuals granted withholding of deportation or removal under INA §243(h) or §241 (b)(3).

(h) Individuals who were admitted to the U.S. as conditional entrants under INA §203 (a)(7) prior to April 1, 1980.

(i) Amerasians who were born to U.S. citizen armed services members in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

(3) "Nonqualified aliens" are noncitizens who are lawfully present in the U.S. and who are not included in the definition of qualified aliens in subsection (1) of this section. Nonqualified aliens include but are not limited to:

(a) Citizens of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, or Palau;

(b) Immigrants paroled into the U.S. for less than one year;

(d) Nonimmigrants who are allowed entry into the U.S. for a specific purpose usually for a limited time are also nonqualified. Examples include:

(i) Business visitors;

(ii) Students; and

(iii) Tourists.

(4) "Survivors of certain crimes" are noncitizens, and any of their qualifying family members, as defined in subsection (5) of this section, who have:

(a) Filed or are preparing to file an application for a T visa (trafficking victim);

(b) Filed or are preparing to file an application for a U visa (crime victim); or

(i) Was granted continued presence by U.S. Homeland Security; or

(ii) Has filed or is preparing to file an application for asylum status.

Specific crimes include:

(A) Those related to human trafficking, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, custodial interference, luring, trafficking, coercion of involuntary servitude, and others under chapter 9A.40 RCW;

(B) Sexual exploitation of children and others under chapter 9.68A RCW; or

(5) "Qualifying family members" are the spouse and child(ren) of survivors of certain crimes, and the parents or unmarried minor siblings if the survivor is under 21 years old. Qualifying family members do not include a person charged with or convicted of attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, or commission of a crime, listed under subsection (4)(c) of this section, against the survivor of certain crimes.

(6) "Undocumented aliens" are noncitizens without a lawful immigration status as defined in subsections (2) or (3) of this section, and who:

(a) Entered the U.S. illegally; or

(b) Were lawfully admitted but whose status expired or was revoked per United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

(7) "U.S. citizens" are one of the following:

(a) Individuals born in the United States or its territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; also residents of the Northern Mariana Islands who elected to become U.S. citizens).

(b) American Indians born outside the U.S. without regard to immigration status or date of entry if:

(i) They were born in Canada and are 50 percent American Indian blood (but need not belong to a federally recognized tribe); or

(ii) They are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe or Alaskan Native village or corporation.

(d) Individuals born abroad to at least one U.S. citizen parent depending on conditions at the time of their birth, per title 8, subchapter III, section 1401 of the United States Code.

(e) Individuals who turn 18 years of age on or after February 27, 2001, automatically become U.S. citizens if the following conditions are met while the individual is under age 18 per INA 320.

(i) The individual is granted lawful permanent resident (LPR) status;

(ii) At least one of the individual's parents is a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization; and

(iii) The individual:

(A) Resides in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent; or

(B) Was adopted according to the requirements of INA 101 and resides in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent.

(f) Individuals, who turned 18 before February 27, 2001, would have automatically became a citizen if, while still under 18, they became a lawful permanent resident and both of their parents were naturalized. Such individuals also may have derived citizenship when only one parent naturalized, if the other parent was dead or a U.S. citizen by birth, or the individual's parents were separated and the naturalized parent had custody.

(8) "U.S. nationals" are persons who owe permanent allegiance to the U.S. and may enter and work in the U.S. without restriction. The following are the only persons classified as U.S. nationals:

(a) Persons born in American Samoa or Swain's Island after December 24, 1952; and

(b) Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands who did not elect to become U.S. citizens.

PDF388-424-0006

Citizenship and alien status—Date of entry.

(1) A person who physically entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996 and who continuously resided in the U.S. prior to becoming a "qualified alien" (as defined in WAC 388-424-0001) is not subject to the five-year bar on receiving TANF.

(2) A person who entered the U.S. prior to August 22, 1996 but became "qualified" on or after August 22, 1996, or who physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 and who requires five years of residency to be eligible for federal Basic Food, can only count years of residence during which they were a "qualified alien."

(3) A person who physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 is subject to the five-year bar for TANF unless exempt. The five-year bar starts on the date that "qualified" status is obtained.

(4) The following "qualified aliens," as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, are exempt from the five-year bar:

(a) Amerasian lawful permanent residents;

(b) Asylees;

(d) Persons granted withholding of deportation or removal;

(e) Refugees;

(f) Special immigrants from Iraq and Afghanistan;

(g) Victims of trafficking who have been certified or had their eligibility approved by the office of refugee resettlement (ORR); and

(h) Lawful permanent residents, parolees, or battered aliens, as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, who are also an armed services member or veteran as described in WAC 388-424-0007.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 13-18-005, § 388-424-0006, filed 8/22/13, effective 10/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 11-16-056, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/29/11, effective 8/29/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.020, and Sec. 8120 of Pub. L 111-118 (DOD appropriations law); USDA Food and Nutrition Service federal guidance from January 29, 2010; U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance federal guidance letter No. TANF-ACF-PI-2010-05 issued on June 16, 2010. WSR 10-15-045, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/13/10, effective 7/27/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. No. 111-3 (H.R. 2, Title II, Sec. 214 - Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009); P.L. No. 111-08 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter #09-17. WSR 09-15-082, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/14/09, effective 8/14/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.09.530. WSR 07-07-023, § 388-424-0006, filed 3/9/07, effective 4/9/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 05-16-055, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/28/05, effective 8/28/05; WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0006, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.]

PDF388-424-0007

Citizenship and alien status—Armed services or veteran status.

(1) An immigrant in one of the following categories is considered a member of the armed forces or a veteran for purposes of establishing eligibility for federal means-tested benefits as defined in WAC 388-424-0008:

(a) On active duty in the U.S. military, other than active duty for training; or

(b) An honorably discharged U.S. veteran; or

(c) A veteran of the military forces of the Philippines who served prior to July 1, 1946, as described in Title 38, Section 107 of the U.S. Code; or

(d) The spouse, unremarried widow or widower, or unmarried dependent child of a veteran or active duty service member.

(2) An immigrant as described in subsection (1) above is not subject to the five-year bar on TANF, nonemergency medicaid, and SCHIP (see WAC 388-424-0010).

(3) An immigrant as described in subsection (1) above who is also a "qualified alien" as described in WAC 388-424-0020 (1)(b)(i) is eligible for federal Basic Food.

(4) An immigrant is not subject to sponsor deeming in state funded programs (see WAC 388-450-0156 (4)(c)) if in any of the categories in subsection (1) above or if:

(a) Employed by an agency of the U.S. government or served in the armed forces of an allied country during a military conflict between the U.S. and a military opponent; or

(b) The spouse, unremarried widow or widower, or unmarried dependent child of a person in subsection (4)(a) of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0007, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.]

PDF388-424-0008

Citizenship and alien status—Work quarters.

(1) For purposes of determining Social Security work quarters, the following are considered federal means-tested benefits: Temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), nonemergency medicaid, state children's health insurance program (SCHIP), supplemental security income (SSI), and federal Basic Food.

(2) An immigrant can receive credit for work quarters by:

(a) Earning enough money to qualify for work quarters;

(b) Getting credit for work quarters earned by a parent or step parent while the alien was under eighteen (including quarters earned before the alien was born); and

(c) Getting credit for work quarters earned by a spouse during the marriage (including a now deceased spouse) or during a period when a couple "hold themselves out" as married.

(3) An immigrant may receive credit for work quarters earned while residing in the U.S. regardless of their (or their family member's) immigration status at the time the money was earned.

(4) An immigrant cannot receive credit for a work quarter on or after January 1, 1997 if the person earning or being credited with the work quarter received a federal means-tested benefit during the quarter.

(5) If the person earning the quarter applied for a federal means-tested benefit during the fortieth quarter and the person earning the quarter earned enough money to qualify for benefits before applying for benefits, the quarter is credited.

(6) An immigrant can be provisionally credited with forty work quarters for up to six months while awaiting verification of work quarters only if:

(a) SSA responded that the immigrant (and spouse and parents) has less than forty quarters, but SSA is making an investigation to see if more quarters can be credited; or

(b) The immigrant has turned in a request to another federal agency for proof of the immigrant's eligible alien status and the agency has accepted the request.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0008, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.]

PDF388-424-0009

Citizenship and immigration status—Social Security number (SSN) requirements.

(1) Any person who has applied for a Social Security number (SSN) as part of their application for benefits cannot have benefits delayed, denied, or terminated pending the issuance of the SSN by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

(2) The following benefit applicants are not required to apply for an SSN:

(a) An alien, regardless of their immigration status, who is applying for a program listed in WAC 388-476-0005(6);

(b) A nonqualified alien;

(d) Individuals who meet the definition of "survivor of certain crimes" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001(4).

(3) "Qualified and nonqualified aliens," as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, who are applying for federal benefits but who are not authorized to work in the U.S., must still apply for a nonwork SSN. The department must assist them in this application without delay.

(4) Any person who is otherwise eligible for benefits may choose not to provide the department with an SSN without jeopardizing the eligibility of others in the household. See WAC 388-450-0140 for how the income of such individuals is treated.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035. WSR 22-02-014, § 388-424-0009, filed 12/27/21, effective 2/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.04.510, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15. WSR 13-18-005, § 388-424-0009, filed 8/22/13, effective 10/1/13. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 11-16-056, § 388-424-0009, filed 7/29/11, effective 8/29/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, and CHIPRA of 2009, P.L. No. 111-3, Sec. 214; Sec. 8120, Title VIII, Division A of Department of Defense Appropriation Act of 2010, P.L. No. 111-118. WSR 10-15-068, § 388-424-0009, filed 7/16/10, effective 8/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0009, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04.]

PDF388-424-0010

Citizenship and immigration status—Eligibility for TANF.

(1) To receive temporary assistance for needy families (TANF), an individual must meet all other eligibility requirements and be one of the following as defined in WAC 388-424-0001:

(a) A United States (U.S.) citizen;

(b) A U.S. national;

(d) A "qualified alien"

as defined in WAC 388-424-0001(2).

(2) A "qualified alien" who first physically entered the U.S. before August 22, 1996 as described in WAC 388-424-0006(1) may receive TANF.

(3) A "qualified alien" who first physically entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996 cannot receive TANF for five years after obtaining status as a qualified alien unless the criteria in WAC 388-424-0006(4) are met.

(4) An alien who is ineligible for TANF because of the five-year bar or because of their immigration status may be eligible for:

(a) Emergency benefits as described in WAC 388-436-0015 (consolidated emergency assistance program); or

(b) State-funded cash as described in WAC 388-424-0015 (state family assistance (SFA)), and aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035. WSR 22-02-014, § 388-424-0010, filed 12/27/21, effective 2/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.62.030, 41.05.021, 74.09.035, 74.09.530, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15, 2013 2nd sp.s. c 10, and the 2013 biennial budget. WSR 15-02-006, § 388-424-0010, filed 12/26/14, effective 1/26/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 36. WSR 12-10-042, § 388-424-0010, filed 4/27/12, effective 6/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 11-16-056, § 388-424-0010, filed 7/29/11, effective 8/29/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, and CHIPRA of 2009, P.L. No. 111-3, Sec. 214; Sec. 8120, Title VIII, Division A of Department of Defense Appropriation Act of 2010, P.L. No. 111-118. WSR 10-15-068, § 388-424-0010, filed 7/16/10, effective 8/16/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. No. 111-3 (H.R. 2, Title II, Sec. 214 -Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009); P.L. No. 111-08 Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter #09-17. WSR 09-15-082, § 388-424-0010, filed 7/14/09, effective 8/14/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. WSR 08-14-116, § 388-424-0010, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and 74.09.415. WSR 05-23-013, § 388-424-0010, filed 11/4/05, effective 1/1/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0010, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. WSR 02-17-030, § 388-424-0010, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and Public Law 106-395. WSR 02-03-008, § 388-424-0010, filed 1/4/02, effective 2/4/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.08A.100. WSR 99-17-023, § 388-424-0010, filed 8/10/99, effective 9/10/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-424-0010, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-505-0520 and 388-518-1805.]

PDF388-424-0015

Immigrant eligibility restrictions for the SFA, ABD cash, and PWA programs.

(1) To receive state family assistance (SFA) benefits, you must be:

(a) A "qualified alien" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001 who is ineligible for temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) due to the five-year bar as described in WAC 388-424-0006;

(b) A "nonqualified alien" who meets the Washington state residency requirements in WAC 388-468-0005, including a noncitizen American Indian who does not meet the criteria in WAC 388-424-0001; or

(2) To receive aged, blind, or disabled (ABD) cash or pregnant women assistance (PWA) benefits, you must be:

(a) A "U.S. citizen" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001;

(b) A "U.S. national" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001;

(d) A "qualified alien" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001; or

(e) A "nonqualified alien" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001 who, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not taking steps to enforce their departure; or

(f) A "survivor of certain crimes" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 41.05.021, 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.770, 74.04.805, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035, 74.09.530, 74.62.030, and 2022 c 208. WSR 22-20-001, § 388-424-0015, filed 9/21/22, effective 10/22/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035. WSR 22-02-014, § 388-424-0015, filed 12/27/21, effective 2/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.62.030, 41.05.021, 74.09.035, 74.09.530, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 15, 2013 2nd sp.s. c 10, and the 2013 biennial budget. WSR 15-02-006, § 388-424-0015, filed 12/26/14, effective 1/26/15. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.04.770, 74.04.0052, 74.04.655, 74.08.043, 74.08.335, and 2011 1st sp.s. c 36. WSR 12-10-042, § 388-424-0015, filed 4/27/12, effective 6/1/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 11-16-056, § 388-424-0015, filed 7/29/11, effective 8/29/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0015, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090. WSR 00-08-060, § 388-424-0015, filed 3/31/00, effective 4/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-424-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-518-1805.]

PDF388-424-0020

How does my alien status impact my eligibility for federally funded Basic Food benefits?

(1) If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. national as defined in WAC 388-424-0001 and meet all other eligibility requirements, you may receive federal Basic Food benefits.

(2) If you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. national, you must fall within (a) or (b) of this subsection, and meet all other eligibility requirements, in order to receive federal Basic Food benefits:

(a) You are a member of one of the following groups of lawful immigrants as defined in WAC 388-424-0001:

(i) Amerasian;

(ii) Asylee;

(iii) Cuban or Haitian entrant;

(iv) Deportation or removal withheld;

(v) Refugee;

(vi) Afghan nationals paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022, or their spouse or child paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022;

(vii) Special immigrant from Iraq or Afghanistan;

(viii) Victim of trafficking;

(ix) Noncitizen American Indian; or

(x) Hmong or Highland Lao tribal member.

(b) You are a member of one of the following groups of qualified aliens as defined in WAC 388-424-0001:

(i) Conditional entrant;

(ii) Lawful permanent resident (LPR);

(iii) Paroled for one year or more;

(iv) Individuals from Ukraine granted humanitarian parole between February 24, 2022, and September 30, 2023; or

(A) their spouses and children paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023; or

(B) a parent, legal guardian, or primary caregiver of an unaccompanied refugee minor or an unaccompanied child described who is paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2023; or

(v) Abused spouse or child or parent or child of an abused spouse or child.

(vi) And, one of the following also applies to you:

(A) You have worked or can get credit for 40 Social Security Administration (SSA) work quarters - as described in WAC 388-424-0008;

(B) You are an active duty personnel or honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. military or you are the spouse, unmarried surviving spouse, or unmarried dependent child of someone who meets this requirement, as described in WAC 388-424-0007;

(C) You receive cash or medical benefits based on supplemental security income (SSI) criteria for blindness or disability;

(D) You have lived in the U.S. as a "qualified alien" as described in WAC 388-424-0001 for at least five years;

(E) You are under age 18; or

(F) You were lawfully residing in the U.S. on August 22, 1996, and were born on or before August 22, 1931.

(3) If you are a legal immigrant not eligible for federal benefits under Basic Food only because of your alien status, you may be eligible for state-funded food assistance program (FAP) benefits under WAC 388-400-0050.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, and P.L. 117-128 and Policy Letter 22-13 dated May 26, 2022. WSR 23-02-035, § 388-424-0020, filed 12/29/22, effective 1/29/23. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090. WSR 22-12-038, § 388-424-0020, filed 5/25/22, effective 6/25/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120. WSR 12-18-024, § 388-424-0020, filed 8/27/12, effective 9/27/12. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120. WSR 11-02-035, § 388-424-0020, filed 12/29/10, effective 2/1/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.020, and Sec. 8120 of Pub. L 111-118 (DOD appropriations law); USDA Food and Nutrition Service federal guidance from January 29, 2010; U.S. DHHS Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance federal guidance letter No. TANF-ACF-PI-2010-05 issued on June 16, 2010. WSR 10-15-045, § 388-424-0020, filed 7/13/10, effective 7/27/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.320, Pub. L. No. 110-181, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Pub. L. No. 111-08, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Division F, Title VI, Section 602; Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter 09-17 from April 9, 2009; and federal guidance issued on May 15, 2009, by the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. WSR 09-21-046, § 388-424-0020, filed 10/14/09, effective 11/4/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. WSR 08-14-116, § 388-424-0020, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090. WSR 04-15-004, § 388-424-0020, filed 7/7/04, effective 8/7/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, and 74.04.510. WSR 03-05-029, § 388-424-0020, filed 2/10/03, effective 4/1/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and H.R. 2646 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. WSR 02-22-046, § 388-424-0020, filed 10/30/02, effective 12/1/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.510, S. 1150, the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998. WSR 99-01-058, § 388-424-0020, filed 12/11/98, effective 1/11/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. WSR 98-16-044, § 388-424-0020, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-518-1805.]

PDF388-424-0030

How does my immigration status impact my eligibility for state-funded benefits under the food assistance program?

(1) If you are not a U.S. citizen and are not eligible for federally funded basic food benefits, you may be eligible for state-funded benefits under the food assistance program (FAP) if you are:

(a) A "qualified alien" as defined in WAC 388-424-0001, who does not meet the eligibility requirements under WAC 388-424-0020 to receive federally funded basic food benefits;

(b) A "nonqualified alien" as described in WAC 388-424-0001 who:

(i) Is not a nonimmigrant as described in WAC 388-424-0001 (3)(d);

(ii) Intends to stay in the United States indefinitely; and

(iii) The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement is not taking steps to enforce your departure; or

(2) If you are eligible for state-funded FAP, we calculate your benefits as described under WAC 388-400-0050.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035. WSR 22-02-014, § 388-424-0030, filed 12/27/21, effective 2/1/22. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120. WSR 20-09-044, § 388-424-0030, filed 4/8/20, effective 5/9/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.04.515, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.120. WSR 12-18-024, § 388-424-0030, filed 8/27/12, effective 9/27/12.]

PDF388-424-0035

Verifications—Survivors of certain crimes.

(1) Applicants may provide a verbal self-attestation to verify that they meet the requirements of WAC 388-424-0001(4). Alternative proof, such as supporting documents, may also be provided.

(2) Absence of the following documents shall not affect eligibility for benefits for applicants defined under WAC 388-424-0001(4):

(a) Passport;

(b) Valid regular or nonwork SSN;

(d) Documentation from a federal agency used to verify immigration status.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.820, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.09.035. WSR 22-02-014, § 388-424-0035, filed 12/27/21, effective 2/1/22.]