California Department of Social Services - State Hearings Division
Notes from the Training Bureau - April 22, 2003

Reference: Public Law 107-171; ACL 02-67

Per Public Law 107-171, federal benefits are to be restored to three categories of legal non-citizens in a three-step process.

Effective October 1, 2002, federal benefits including food stamps, were restored to legal non-citizens who are disabled, regardless of the date of entry into the United States. This was the first step.

The second step applies to legal non-citizens who have lawfully resided in the United States for five years beginning on the date of entry, and are effective April 1, 2003.

Attached to this ACL are questions and answers regarding the April 1, 2003 regulations and an advance copy of MPP §63-405.136 that provides for federal food stamp eligibility for a legal non-citizen who has resided in the United States beginning on the date of entry.

The questions and answers concern the five-year requirement and deeming of income for immigrants.