ARKANSAS, USA — Despite being able to live and work in the U.S. without a visa, citizens born in the Marshall Islands haven't been able to qualify for some federal assistance programs — until now.
In March, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, reinstating certain federal benefits for citizens who are part of the Compacts of Free Association (COFA), the agreement between the U.S. and a group of Pacific islands allowing those residents to live on U.S. soil without a visa.
The COFA agreement was approved in the U.S. in 1986, but 10 years later a welfare reform took away the chance for COFA residents to apply for certain health benefits, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA).
A new announcement from the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) confirmed that starting on Oct. 1, COFA residents can apply for SNAP and TEA.
“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.”
Eligibility requirements are based on household income and resources. Residents who are denied can file an appeal 90 days later.
Residents can apply online at the DHS website, in person at an DHS office, or over the phone by calling the DHS at (479) 521-1270.
You can read our previous report on this story here.
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