Attorney General James Leads Coalition on SNAP Eligibility Errors

New York – In a bold move to safeguard the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations, New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a coalition of 20 state attorneys general in demanding immediate corrective action from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility.

The AG’s office highlights that USDA’s erroneous guidance has mistakenly deemed several immigrant groups ineligible for SNAP, contravening federal laws and potentially depriving lawful permanent residents, asylum seekers, and refugees of their entitled benefits.

In a letter addressed to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the coalition stresses the urgency of rectifying these errors. Attorney General James emphasizes that such confusion endangers the food security of those in need, noting, “Refugees, asylees, and other immigrants who obtained legal status should not lose access to SNAP benefits because the federal government misread its own laws.”

The article details how USDA’s guidance, issued on October 31st, incorrectly labeled refugees, asylum seekers, and humanitarian parolees as categorically ineligible for SNAP. It also incorrectly removes exemptions from a five-year waiting period that applies to some lawful permanent residents, which has been in place for decades.

Moreover, the article points out the discrepancy in USDA’s interpretation of its own rules regarding state adjustment periods after new guidance is issued. The agency’s claim that the 120-day grace period ended before states had a chance to review the new instructions is challenged as illogical under existing regulations.

The attorneys general argue that USDA’s failure to recognize these pathways and exemptions could result in illegal denials of food assistance to thousands of families, urging the agency to correct its mistakes promptly. The article concludes with a call for clarity and certainty in SNAP eligibility guidelines to ensure that no eligible family is left without access to essential nutrition support.

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