Your Quick Guide to SNAP: Benefits, Eligibility, and More
What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps low-income Americans ensure that they have food for their families. Over 9.5 million American families are on SNAP, the largest program in the United States designed to target hunger. SNAP helps ensure that the most at-risk families have their basic nutritional needs met during times of financial hardship. It predominantly serves households that have family members who are children, elderly, or disabled. Almost half of all SNAP participants are children. SNAP was previously known as “food stamps,” but now is administered through an EBT card instead of paper coupons. It is administered by individual state agencies.
How are SNAP households defined?
The federal government pays for SNAP benefits. Federal eligibility for SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty level. That translates to $34,060 for a family of four. Everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares meals together is grouped together as one SNAP household. And SNAP benefits are administered per household. This means that spouses and children under the age of 22 are included in the same SNAP household. This is true even if these individuals purchase and prepare their meals separately.
Those who are age 60 and older, who are unable to purchase and prepare meals separately because of a permanent disability, may be labeled as their own SNAP household from their spouse. This happens only if the other members of their household have combined incomes less than 165% of the federal poverty level.
Individuals without dependents or a disability can only receive three months of SNAP benefits during any three-year period if they are not working a minimum of 20 hours a week or participating in a job training program.
What food benefits does SNAP provide?
SNAP participants can use SNAP to buy any kind of food for their household members, including fruits and vegetables; meat, poultry and fish; dairy products; breads and cereals; snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and seeds and plants that produce food that the eligible household can eat.
SNAP benefits do not allow the purchase of any kind of alcohol or tobacco products. Vitamins, medicine, and other supplements are also not covered by SNAP. Keep in mind that if an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement. Thus, this items would not be eligible for SNAP purchase.
Prepared foods and other to-go foods are also ineligible for SNAP.
How much money do you get through SNAP?
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Thrifty Food Plan calculates how much a household can receive in SNAP benefits. This estimates how much it costs to buy food to prepare low-cost, healthy food for your household. This estimate changes every year to keep pace with food prices and to ensure you can purchase nutritious foods.
Maximum monthly SNAP benefits by household size
Household size | Maximum monthly benefit for 2020 |
>1 | $194 |
2 | $355 |
3 | $509 |
4 | $646 |
5 | $768 |
6 | $921 |
7 | $1,018 |
8 | $1,164 |
Each add’l person | $146 |
How do you get food through SNAP?
All SNAP benefits are issued through Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. EBT cards look like a credit card: They are small plastic cards with a magnetic stripe on the back and, sometimes, a “smart chip” too. You can sign up for FreshEBT to track your EBT balance and get coupons through your phone.
SNAP participants receive EBT cards through their state SNAP agencies pre-filled with certain amounts. Using the EBT card, a person can buy SNAP-eligible food. You can search the government’s official SNAP website to find out at which farmer’s markets and grocers you may use your SNAP EBT card.
An allotment is the total amount of SNAP benefits per given household each month. To calculate a SNAP household’s allotment, multiply the household’s net monthly income by 0.3. Then, subtract this number number from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size. Right now, the maximum monthly allotment for SNAP benefits is $646 for a household of four people.
There are a few states that are participating in an online purchasing pilot where you can use your SNAP benefits to purchase food online.
What are the work requirements for SNAP benefits?
While SNAP eligibility is based on income, SNAP participants can’t receive their benefits without meeting certain work requirements.
General work requirements
SNAP participants between the ages of 16 and 59 who are able to work must meet SNAP’s general work requirement. If you fall into this demographic, you cannot receive SNAP benefits otherwise. This means registering for work, participating in a certified job training program as assigned by your state’s SNAP agency, taking a job if offered one, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your hours to less than 30 hours a week without good reason.
A person can be excused from the general work requirement for SNAP benefits if they are already working at least 30 hours a week. They can also be excused if they are earning the equivalent of what 30 hours a week at minimum wage would be. The same is true is they are meeting the work requirements for another program like TANF. Other exemptions include collecting unemployment benefits, taking care of a child under the age of 6 or an incapacitated adult, or being unable to work due a physical or mental limitation. Actively and regularly participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program also is a qualified exemption. You may also be exempt from the general work requirement for SNAP if you are in school at least half-time. Keep in mind that there may be different policies for college students depending on the state.
Fail to meet SNAP’s general work requirement results? Then you will be disqualified for SNAP for at least a month. Then, you can try to meet the requirements again. If you re-qualify for SNAP after meeting the general work requirements and then fail to continue to meet the requirements, you will be disqualified for SNAP for more than a month. Sometimes re-qualifying and then failing to meet the work requirement can mean being disqualified from SNAP benefits permanently.
Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents work requirements and time limit
There is one additional work requirement for SNAP for those who are between the ages of 18 and 49, are able to work, and do not have dependents. This is the Able Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) work requirement and time limit. If you meet this description, you might need to meet both the general work requirements and the ABAWD requirements in order to receive more than 3 months of SNAP benefits in a 3-year time period.
At least 80 hours of work per months meets the ABAWD work requirement. These 80 hours can be for pay, for goods and services, or as a volunteer. Another qualifier for the ABAWD work requirement is participating in a work program at least 80 hours a month. This can be through SNAP Employment and Training or a federal, state, or local work program. It can also be through participating in a combination of work and job training programs for at least a total of 80 hours a month. Or it can be through workfare for a specific number of hours each month. The amount of your monthly SNAP benefits will determine the number of work hours assigned.
Failure to meet the ABAWD requirement
A person can be excused from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if they are unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation, are pregnant, or have someone under the age of 18 in their SNAP household. You may also be exempt if you are already excused from the general work requirements.
Those who need to meet the ABAWD work requirements and don’t will lose their SNAP benefits after three months. To be able to re-enroll in SNAP, a person would then need to meet the ABAWD work requirements for a 30-day period. Or, a person can re-enroll is they get an excuse based on the above reasons.
And failure to meet the ABAWD work requirements means waiting. A person must then wait until the end of the three-year period that began with their first getting SNAP benefits to re-apply. Failure to comply with the ABAWD work requirements again will result in the implementation of another 3-month limit for a three-year period.
How do I apply for SNAP?
You can apply for SNAP by contacting your state’s SNAP agency. After you submit an application with your state’s agency, you will be notified within 30 days whether or not you are eligible for SNAP benefits.
Although you typically also need to complete an eligibility interview during this window, SNAP interviews have been canceled because of COVID-19. Until May of 2020, you don’t need to interview, and you just need to give proof (verification) of the information you provided.
If your household has less than $100 in liquid resources and $150 in monthly gross income, or if your household’s combined monthly gross income and liquid resources are less than what you pay each month for rent or mortgage and utilities, then you may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits within only 7 days of your application.
How long can I participate in SNAP?
If you are eligible for SNAP benefits, your eligibility notification will also tell you how long you will receive SNAP benefits for. This period is known as your certification period. Before the end of your certification period, you will receive a notice reminding you that you must re-certify your SNAP benefits to continue receiving them. This notice will give you any additional information you may need about what you need to do to re-certify.
What other programs could I be eligible for?
Find out if you’re eligble for:
- 10 government programs for low income families
- WIC (a program for women, infants, and children)
- Unemployment
- Medicaid (free or very low-cost health insurance)
And grab our guide to finding a free clinic near you.
You can also see if you’re eligible for Medicaid or a subsidized Marketplace health insurance plan by entering your zip code below.
Due to the parks and the hotels closing. they cut our hours I am Only working 2-3 days per week. But that is going to stop as of March 31st.. we may only have one day a week to work. Please help me n my son….my number is 407-247-7276. Please n thank u.
Hi Victoria. You may be able to apply for unemployment in your state – learn more here: https://www.healthsherpa.com/blog/unemployment-income-benefits-eligibility/
If you need help getting health insurance, you can call us at HealthSherpa.
Out of work because of the coronavirus
My name is Roberto Salas. I was in a nursing for 18 month but I was very unhappy there, sou aunt Sonia Oyola arranged it so I could come live with her. She helps gets dress and any other things I need. But our problem is that she only get $192 which is for one person for month. And even though we try to ration the food, be the end of the month we barely have anything. So I’m begging you to put me on her food stamps so we can make their the month. Once again her name is Sonia Oyola And her case number is C096187016. Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Hi Roberto, we can help you enroll in health insurance here at HealthSherpa, but you’ll have to contact your state’s SNAP office to get an update on her application.
I deleted your social security number from your comment, but please don’t put your social security number out on the internet – someone can steal your identity!
If you’d like help applying for health insurance or Medicaid, please give us a call.
I am on SS and lost my part time job ,
After I pay my house payment and s taxes and utilities I have badly 150.00 left .thats why I work 3 1/2 days a week
Off because of the covid 19 outbreak
They put me on furlough.
Do I qualify for any program?
You may qualify for unemployment or SNAP. We recommend you contact your state’s unemployment and SNAP offices.
If you need health insurance, you can call us at 855.772.2663
I’ve been trying to get through to unemployment since 3-18-2020 and now have problems getting Snap?
We recommend you contact your state’s SNAP office.
If you need health insurance, you can give us a call at 855.772.2663
I want to apply for food benefits. What number do I call.
Reach out to your state’s SNAP office to apply! If you need health insurance, you can call us at HealthSherpa.
I qualified just for 16 dollars of monthly snap but I saved up to 3 weeks I closed the hotel domde work and my husband closed the restaurant as I can to help me with more snap I have a 3 year old bb mi name is Elena
You can reach out to your state’s SNAP office to update your application! If you need health insurance, you can call us at HealthSherpa.
Im trying to Apply online for snap benefits and i keep getting knocked off the site , i am disabled and hve no transportation ,i have my food stamp card but i missed my phone interview how do i contact somebody to help me?
You’ll have to reach out to your state’s SNAP office to apply! If you need health insurance, you can call us at HealthSherpa.
Hi was working 6 day a week on salary and due to the Coronavirus they cut my hour to 4 days a week of work and no more salary they start paying me by the hour so do I qualified for food stamps
If your hours were cut, you may qualify. You’ll have to apply with your state’s SNAP office. If you need health insurance, you can call us at HealthSherpa.
My name is latoya peaks and my hours have been cut
Hi there! You can check out this post: https://www.healthsherpa.com/blog/top-10-government-programs-for-low-income-families/
And give us a call if you lost your health insurance – we can get you enrolled quickly.
My husband lost his job after 16 years due to cova19 is there anything we can get until he finds another job?
Hi there! Check out this post: https://www.healthsherpa.com/blog/top-10-government-programs-for-low-income-families/
Have you lost your health insurance as well? You can give us a call to enroll in health insurance (including both Medicaid and Marketplace plans) at 855.772.2663. Most people qualify for government subsidies to lower the cost.
How do I apply for snap benefits in Columbia sc
Hey there! You can apply for SNAP here: https://scmapp.sc.gov/
And if you need health insurance, give us a call at 855.772.2663.
I am disabled after I pay my rent and taxes and utilities I am out of money and the covid 19 does not help. do I qualify for any program.
Hi William!
If you need health insurance, please give us a call at 855.772.2663. We can help you enroll and let you know if you’re eligible for free health insurance (Medicaid) or subsidies that lower the cost of health insurance.
For other government benefits, fill out this benefits finder to see what you might qualify for: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit-finder
Im 21 and have to pay my own room and board and currently out work due to corona .. Am I able to get food stamps?
You’ll have to apply with your state’s SNAP office and see! They have waived the interview requirement for SNAP to try to expedite the process, but it can still take some time. We recommend you contact your state’s office ASAP to file your application.
If you need health insurance, you can contact us at HealthSherpa at 855.772.2663.
I am part of the mass layoffs due to covert 19. I have applied for unemployment but still have not heard a thing I’ve been out of work since 3/23/202] can I apply for the Snap program?
Yes, you can contact the SNAP office in your state and file an application.
If you need health insurance, you can contact us at HealthSherpa at 855.772.2663.
I loss my job need help
Hi Imara! If you need health insurance, you can give us a call at 855.772.2663. You may qualify for free or subsidized health insurance.
Hey so my husband and I are off work due to the corona virus and I was wondering if I should try and apply we did set up unemployment I’ll get 349 and he’s getting 400 we can’t afford all our bills as of now and need food for my kiddos Would it be pointless or go for it and try??
Yes, apply with your state SNAP office.
If you need health insurance, you can give us a call at 855.772.2663.
Need to apply for unemployment and Medicaid
You can apply for Medicaid here: https://www.healthsherpa.com/medicaid
YES
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The food stamps office never gave me all of my food stamps this past month