Have you ever thought of getting help buying fresh, nutritious food? You might be eligible for the SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program) Food Program which was formerly referred to as food stamps. This program was developed by the United States federal governmental bodies for low-income households, elderly, and disabled individuals living in the U.S.
it was administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). These Snap benefits have aided about 40 million U.S. low-income citizens. And it depends on the household size, income, and expenses before you can get the SNAP benefits.
SNAP
What do the SNAP offer? The Snap program helps U.S. individuals buy the food they need for good health. Plants and seeds can be purchased using the Snap benefits. The SNAP benefits are put and given in an EBT card which can be used as the usual debit card. It can be used at any store that accepts the SNAP. This benefit cannot be used to purchase non-food items.
What Is The SNAP For?
The SNAP benefits were provided for:
- Individuals who don’t have a lot of money as long as they meet the rules of the program.
- Adults within the age of 18 to 49 with no children in their home can get SNAP benefits for about 3 months in a 3 year period. Jobless individuals can still be eligible to get the benefits.
SNAP Eligibility
There are certain requirements you need to meet to be eligible for SNAP to receive the benefits. You will be determined if eligible by your state agency to receive this benefit.
How To Apply For SNAP
You can only apply for the SNAP benefit in the state where you currently live. Each state has a different application form and process. You can contact your state agency to apply. Some of the states where SNAP benefits are processed have their applications online, and this can be completed from the state agency website. The Food Stamps Program is recognized in different states with different names, some of which include:
- Alabama Food Assistance Program in the state of Alabama.
- Alaska Food Stamp Program in Alaska.
- Arizona Nutrition Assistance Program in Arizona.
- Arkansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Arkansas.
- CalFresh in California.
- Colorado Food Assistance Program in Colorado.
- Connecticut Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Connecticut.
- Delaware Food Stamp Program in Delaware.
- District of Columbia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is in the District of Columbia.
- Florida Food Assistance Program.
- FoodShare Wisconsin.
- Georgia Food Stamps.
- Hawaii Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Idaho Food Stamp Program.
- Illinois Food Stamp Program.
- Indiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Iowa Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Kansas Food Assistance & Nutrition Program.
- Kentucky Food Benefits/EBT.
- Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Maryland Food Supplement Program.
- Massachusetts Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Michigan Food Assistance Program.
- Minnesota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Mississippi Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Missouri Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Montana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Nebraska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Nevada Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- New Hampshire Food Stamp Program.
- New Jersey Food Stamp Program.
- The New Mexico Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- North Carolina Food Stamp Program.
- North Dakota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Nutrition Assistance For Puerto Rico.
- Ohio Food Assistance Program.
- Oklahoma Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Oregon Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
- Pennsylvania Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
What Happens After I Apply For SNAP
After you have submitted your SNAP application, your state agency will process it and send you a notice informing you whether or not you are eligible for the benefits within 30 days. Within this 30 days interval, you will need to complete an eligibility interview and also verify the information you have provided. The interview is either done through a phone call or a one to one person talk. Then if you are found eligible, you will receive the SNAP benefits based on the date you submitted your application.
How Can I Receive The SNAP Benefits If I Am Eligible
After your information processing; and you were found eligible, you will receive the benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card which works like a debit card. Benefits are sent to your card automatically each month you are due to receive your benefits.
How Long Will I Receive SNAP
After your eligibility verification, you will receive a notice that will tell you how long you will receive SNAP benefits. This period of time is called your “certification period”. Before the end of your certification period, you will receive another notice that says you will have to recertify to continue your benefits.
What Do SNAP Means By Household
Every person living together as one in a house is referred to as one SNAP household. Spouses and most children under age 22 are included and known to be one household, even if they purchase meals separately. While if a person is of age 60 or older and unable to purchase and prepare meals because of disability, the person and his or her spouse may be separate SNAP households, if the other able person living with the disabled person does not earn much income.
SNAP Income Eligibility Limits
For you to be eligible to get SNAP benefits, your household must meet both the gross and net income limits. These limits include:
- 1 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $1290 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $1000.
- 2 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $1700 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $1300.
- 3 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $2200 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $1600.
- 4 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $2500 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $1900.
- 5 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $3100 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $2400.
- 6 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $3600 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $2700.
- 7 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $4100 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $3100.
- 8 household size = gross monthly income (130% of poverty) of above $4600 = net monthly income (100% of poverty) of above $3500.
- Each other additional number to the 8 household size = +gross monthly income of $479 = +net monthly income of $369.
Note: Gross income is referred to as a household total, non-excluded income before deductions have been made.
Net income means the gross income minus the allowable deductions.
