Arkansas Marshallese Residents Can Soon Apply for SNAP Benefits

Click here for a Marshallese translation of this news release.

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) - Compact of Free Association (COFA) citizens from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau who are residents living in Arkansas will soon be eligible to receive SNAP and TEA benefits if they qualify for these programs, the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) announced today.

Since 1985, people from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau have been granted the right to live and work in the U.S. legally by the COFA Act. However, federal welfare reform laws passed in 1996 excluded them from receiving federal benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA).

Earlier this year, through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, federal lawmakers added COFA citizens to the list of those eligible to receive federal public benefits. DHS moved to enact this new eligibility as soon as the federal guidelines were released in August and requested and received emergency rule approval. COFA residents in Arkansas previously became eligible for Medicaid benefits in 2021.

This SNAP and TEA provision goes into effect in Arkansas beginning October 1, 2024.

"Making sure everyone in Arkansas has access to healthy foods is one of our top priorities, and this change makes SNAP benefits available immediately to eligible Marshallese and other COFA residents in our state," said DHS Secretary Kristi Putnam. "We are grateful to be able to offer these benefits to our COFA citizens, and encourage those who are eligible to apply starting on Oct. 1."

COFA residents do not automatically receive SNAP, TEA, or other benefits. They must apply and meet normal eligibility requirements. Eligibility for these benefits is based on household income, resources, and other non-financial eligibility requirements.

COFA residents previously denied can file an appeal up to 90 days from their denial date.

Applications can be made online, in person at a local DHS county office, or over the phone. Click here to apply online. If you are unsure which Department of Human Services county office is near you to apply in person, click here to access our county office map.