How to Apply for SNAP Benefits

1. How to Apply for SNAP Benefits What Is SNAP? SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It supplies basic nutritional needs for low-income households until families get back on their feet. It was formerly called the Food Stamp Program. SNAP works with nonprofits, food banks, churches and community groups to get healthy foods to the households that need them. It also provides job training and employment assistance. SNAP benefits are delivered to families every month by electronic benefit transfer. The EBT card works like a debit card. It’s accepted at close to 260,000 authorized retailers nationwide. You can use the benefits for meat, fish, produce, dairy, cereal, bread, baby formula and much more. Alcohol, tobacco and nonfood items are excluded. Although it is a federally run program, you apply for it and receive benefits through your state SNAP office. Which Households Are Eligible for SNAP Benefits? Any household in which a family lives, purchases food and prepares meals together might be eligible. You may even qualify if your spouse or a child under age 22 buys food separately. All kinds of people, including singles, childless couples and seniors, participate in SNAP. Are Noncitizens Eligible? Undocumented noncitizens are not eligible for SNAP benefits. Noncitizens who are legally in the U.S. must meet at least one of these conditions: • They have lived here for at least five years.

2. • They are children under age 18. • They are receiving disability-related benefits. If you or someone in your household is ineligible, your state agency will decide whether or not other household members qualify. Household Income Limits SNAP wants to ensure that food and other resources go to the people who need them most. That’s why it imposes income limits. These are the current guidelines for eligibility: • Gross monthly household income must be at or below 130% of the poverty line. SNAP considers “income” as earned income before payroll taxes. It also counts unearned income like Social Security, unemployment benefits and child support. • Net household income, which is income after SNAP’s allowable deductions, must be at or below the poverty line. • Assets, also called countable resources, must fall under certain limits. Assets include any accessible resource, like a bank account, that could easily be tapped to buy food. For most households, the current assets limit is $2,250. If at least one household member is 60 or older or has a disability, the limit is $3,500. Your home, some vehicles, retirement savings, pension plans and a few other resources don’t count as assets. How SNAP Calculates Income Eligibility Limits SNAP multiplies the poverty line for your size household by 130% to determine gross monthly income limits. Let’s say there are four people in your household. The current poverty line for a household that size is $2,146. To qualify for SNAP, your gross monthly income can’t exceed $2,790: $2,146 × 1.30 (130%) = $2,790 (rounded up)

3. There are income limit exceptions for the elderly and disabled. Allowable Deductions SNAP allows certain deductions to help Americans qualify for the program. Here are some examples: • A 20% deduction from earned income. • Standard deductions for households of various sizes. • A dependent care deduction as needed for education, work or training. • Medical expenses, within limits, for the elderly or disabled. • Excess shelter costs, which include water, electricity, fuel for heating and cooking, the basic cost of one phone, rent or mortgage payments, and rent or mortgage interest. Work Requirements SNAP participants must meet certain work requirements to qualify for benefits. There are exceptions for pregnant women, children, seniors, and people who are physically or mentally unable to work. Most beneficiaries must register for work and take a job if one is offered. They can’t voluntarily quit or cut back their hours. Most states also require that they participate in a job training program. The idea is to get you back in action and improve your prospects for the future. Where to Apply for SNAP Benefits Each state runs its own SNAP program. The USDA website provides a state directory for contacting local SNAP offices. Just click on your state to find the toll-free number. There will also be links to the state SNAP website, the online application for SNAP and other information. You may also find a local office in the government pages of your telephone book. Try searching “social services,” “human services,” “food stamps” or a similar title in the phone book or on the internet.

4. Your local food bank can most likely help you apply. The local library is also a great resource for information, assistance and internet access. How to Apply for SNAP Benefits The easiest way to apply in most states is on the state’s SNAP website. You can also apply in person or by mail. You’ll be asked to provide the following information: • Your name. • Your Social Security number if you have one. • Your income. • Your expenses. Applications are usually processed in about 30 days. If you meet certain requirements, your application will be expedited to provide benefits within seven days. Meanwhile, you’ll be contacted for a telephone or in-person interview. You’ll be asked to show proof of the information you provided, and your caseworker may ask for additional information. If you don’t have internet access or can’t get to a SNAP office, you may appoint someone you trust to apply and be interviewed on your behalf. Once your application is approved, your benefits will be retroactive to the date that you applied. You’ll be issued an EBT card soon after you apply. It won’t have funds on it until you are found eligible, but SNAP wants to ensure that you can start using SNAP benefits right away if you’re approved. After you’re found eligible, benefits will transfer to your EBT card. Funds automatically reload every month.

5. How Long Do SNAP Benefits Last? You’ll receive a notice of eligibility. It will tell you how long the benefits will last before you must recertify to keep receiving them. Before the first certification period ends, you’ll get a reminder with instructions. Along with the notice, you’ll receive all the details about the program and instructions for activating and using your card. Using a SNAP Calculator, Also Known as a SNAP Benefits Calculator, Food Stamp Calculator or EBT Calculator How much can you expect in SNAP benefits each month? That depends on several factors such as income, expenses, household size and whether or not you’re receiving other assistance. Your caseworker will weigh all the details and do the math. However, there are many online tools for getting a rough estimate. Just search the internet for “SNAP benefits calculator,” “SNAP calculator,” “food stamp calculator” or “EBT calculator.” You can pretty much take your pick of results, but the calculators that ask for the most information will have the most realistic total. Fill in the online questionnaire, and the SNAP calculator will do the work. Most online forms include questions about household size, income, expenses like rent and utilities, other assistance you’re receiving and dependent care. Again, benefits are determined on a case-by-case basis. The sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll have a definite answer and start enjoying SNAP benefits.