Idaho § 56-211

§ 56-211.

Application for public assistance - verification for supplemental nutrition assistance program. (1) Application for public assistance under this section shall be made in the manner and form prescribed by the state department and the application shall contain such information bearing on the applicant’s eligibility as the state department may require and as required in this section.

(2) Applicants seeking benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) shall verify to the state department the identity of each household member the applicant lists on the application for such benefits. Identification may be verified either through readily available documentary evidence, such as a birth certificate, or through a collateral contact as set forth in federal law, 7 CFR 273.2. Upon a showing of good cause by the applicant as to why such documentary evidence or collateral contact has not been provided, the state department shall grant an extension and the applicant may receive the public assistance for which he or she has applied for one (1) month. A showing of good cause shall be required each month the applicant fails to provide the state department with the required documentary evidence or collateral contact. Good cause is not shown where a delay in providing documentary evidence or providing a collateral contact is due to illness, lack of transportation or temporary absences. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to applicants who provide, or who have previously provided, a document as set forth in section 67-7903 (4)(b)(viii) or (ix), Idaho Code.

(3) Pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2015(f), no individual shall be eligible to receive SNAP benefits unless the individual is a resident of the United States and is:

(a) A citizen or national of the United States;

(b) An alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence as an immigrant, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15) or 1101(a)(20), excluding alien visitors, tourists, diplomats, students, or other individuals admitted temporarily without intent to abandon their residence in a foreign country;

(c) An alien who has been granted the status of Cuban or Haitian entrant, as defined in section 501(e), P.L. 96-422 ; or

(d) An individual lawfully residing in the United States in accordance with a compact of free association pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)(G).

(4) The department shall verify the eligibility for SNAP of applicants and enrollees pursuant to subsection (3) of this section as follows:

(a) If an individual is not a citizen or national of the United States but is eligible to receive SNAP benefits pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the department shall be required to verify eligible alien status using the systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) program during enrollment and each eligibility recertification. If SAVE verification is unsuccessful, the individual shall submit acceptable documentation to verify eligible alien status, including but not limited to a permanent resident card, an employment authorization document, or other official documentation issued by a federal government agency, as determined by the department.

(b) If an individual is a citizen or national of the United States for the purposes of eligibility pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, the department shall verify such citizenship or nationality during enrollment using secure and verifiable documentation, including but not limited to a certified birth certificate, a United States passport, a certificate of naturalization, a certificate of citizenship, or a consular report of birth abroad. Verification at recertification shall be required only if the department has reason to question the individual’s previously verified citizenship or nationality.

(5) If verification confirms that an applicant or enrollee for SNAP is not lawfully present in the United States or no longer qualifies pursuant to this section or any successor provision of state or federal law, the department shall immediately terminate future SNAP benefits and initiate disenrollment.

(6) The department shall submit to the United States department of agriculture information concerning any household member for whom it is unable to verify eligible citizenship or ineligible alien status pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2015(f) and this section, regardless of whether such household member is applying to participate in the program as a member of such household.

(7) When administering SNAP, the department shall:

(a) Consider the entire income and financial resources of any individual rendered ineligible for participation in SNAP pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2015(f) and subsection (3) of this section when determining the eligibility and benefit allotment of the household of which such individual is a member; and

(b) Notwithstanding any options provided pursuant to 7 CFR 273.11(c)(3), not prorate or exclude the income or financial resources of ineligible aliens pursuant to 7 U.S.C. 2015(f) and subsection (3) of this section. All such income and resources shall be fully considered.

(8) The state department may promulgate rules, subject to legislative approval, to implement the provisions of this section.

[56-211, added 1941, ch. 181, sec. 11, p. 379; am. 2011, ch. 269, sec. 1, p. 729; am. 2026, ch. 294, sec. 2, p. 1217.]