Brian Barr
Working from home for the food stamp office, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), involves assisting eligible low-income households in obtaining food benefits. SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to families and individuals who meet certain income and resource guidelines. The program aims to ensure that no one goes hungry in the United States. To be eligible for SNAP benefits, individuals must meet specific requirements, including age, work, and income criteria. Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) are generally required to work or participate in work programs for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months. SNAP applications and eligibility determinations are typically handled by state agencies, and benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card for purchasing groceries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Program Name | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
| Former Name | Food Stamp Program |
| Who is Eligible for SNAP | Households with members who are older adults or have a disability and households that are "categorically eligible" for SNAP because they participate in another economic security program |
| Who is Not Eligible for SNAP | Individuals who are on strike, all people without a documented immigration status, some students attending college more than half-time, certain immigrants who are lawfully present, and certain people with drug-related felony convictions in some states |
| SNAP Income and Resource Limits | Updated annually |
| SNAP Income Eligibility Limits | Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) and Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) |
| SNAP Resource Limits | Households without a member aged 60 or older or who has a disability must have assets of $2,750 or less, and households with such a member must have assets of $4,250 or less |
| SNAP Work Requirements | Registering for work, not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing hours, taking a job if offered, and participating in employment and training programs, if assigned by the state |
| ABAWD Work Requirement | Work at least 80 hours a month, participate in a work program at least 80 hours a month, or a combination of work and work program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month |
| Exemptions from Work Requirements | Individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals age 24 or younger and in foster care on their 18th birthday, people who are exempt for physical or mental health reasons, and students enrolled at least half-time |
| SNAP Benefits | Received on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card |
What You'll Learn
Register for work
To register for work, you must meet the general work requirements to be eligible for SNAP benefits. These requirements apply to individuals aged 16-59 who are able to work. If you are already working at least 30 hours a week or are a student enrolled at least half-time, you are exempt from these requirements.
To register for work, you must:
- Register for work at the time of your application and every 12 months thereafter.
- Provide sufficient information for the agency to determine your employment status or job availability.
- Accept an offer of employment that meets the following requirements: the position must pay at least minimum wage, and the site or plant must not be subject to strike or lockout at the time of the offer.
- Report to the employer if the employment meets the requirements for suitable employment.
- Continue employment without voluntarily quitting or reducing work hours below 30 hours per week without a good reason.
It is important to note that failure to comply with these work requirements may result in disqualification from receiving SNAP benefits.
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Report income changes
If you receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you must report any changes that could affect your SNAP eligibility or the amount of money you receive in SNAP benefits within 10 days of learning of the change. For income-related changes, the date the first payment is received is considered the date you learned of the change.
- When someone in your household gets, changes, or loses a job
- When monthly earned income changes by more than $125
- When the source of unearned income changes, or when unearned income changes by more than $125
- When a child support payment order changes or ends
- A change in household size, such as a new baby joining the family or someone moving out
- New housing costs, such as an increase in rent
- A death in the household
- A change of address or discharge from a long-term care facility
- If total cash on hand, stocks, bonds, and money in the bank is more than $2,750 for non-qualifying members or $4,250 for households with a disabled, blind, or elderly member
- When someone in the household has $4,250 or more in lottery or gambling winnings
You may report changes in person, by mail, or by phone, depending on the specific program and your location. For example, in Illinois, changes to SNAP benefits can be reported by mail using the SNAP Program Change Report Form, or by phone with the Department of Human Services (DHS) Helpline.
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Find a local food bank
If you are looking for free food in your community, you can find a food bank near you by searching online and entering your zip code or state. This will provide you with a list of food banks and their contact information.
Food banks are 501(c)3 nonprofits that work with their local communities to ensure everyone has access to healthy foods. They solicit, receive, store, and distribute fresh produce and pantry staples. They also help people get connected to other essential benefits and serve as community hubs for volunteers.
- Alameda County Community Food Bank
- Food Bank of El Dorado County
- Interfaith Council of Amador
- Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank
- The Resource Connection Food Bank
- Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
- Central California Food Bank
- Food for People
- Imperial Valley Food Bank
- Community Action Partnership of Kern
- Kings Community Action Organization
- Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
- Westside Food Bank
- Madera County Food Bank
- SF-Marin Food Bank
- Merced County Food Bank
- Mendocino Food & Nutrition Program – The Fort Bragg Food Bank
- Food Bank for Monterey County
- Community Action of Napa Valley Food Bank
- Food Bank of Nevada County
- Orange County Food Bank
- Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County
- Placer Food Bank
- Community Action Agency of Butte County – North State Food Bank
- Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino
- FIND – Food In Need of Distribution
- Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services
- Community Food Bank of San Benito County
- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County
- Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino
- Feeding San Diego
- The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
- SF-Marin Food Bank
- Emergency Food Bank
- Second Harvest of the Greater Valley
- SLO Food Bank
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
- Foodbank of Santa Barbara
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
- Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County
- Dignity Health Connected Living
- Great Northern Services
- Redwood Empire Food Bank
- Yuba-Sutter Food Bank
- Trinity County Food Bank
- FoodLink for Tulare County
- ATCAA Food Bank – Tuolumne County
- FOOD Share of Ventura County
- Yolo Food Bank
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Apply for SNAP
To apply for SNAP, you must be a resident of the state in which you are applying and meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. These limits are updated annually.
The first step is to contact your state agency to apply and request information about the status of your application. You can do this by visiting your local SNAP office, visiting your state agency's website, or calling your state's toll-free SNAP Information hotline. Some states also offer online applications that can be completed on the state agency website. If you are unable to go to or call your local SNAP office or do not have access to the internet, you may designate an authorized representative in writing to apply and be interviewed on your behalf.
Once you have submitted your application, your state agency or local SNAP office will process it and notify you of your eligibility within 30 days. During these 30 days, you will need to complete an eligibility interview and provide proof of the information you gave. The interview is typically done over the phone or in person. If you are deemed eligible, you will receive benefits based on the date you submitted your application.
In some cases, you may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits within seven days of your application date if you meet additional requirements. For example, 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 expenses.
If you are deemed eligible for SNAP, you will receive your benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Benefits are automatically loaded into your account each month and can be used to buy groceries at authorized food stores and retailers.
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Check your balance
Checking your balance is an important part of managing your food stamp benefits. Here are some ways to check your balance and keep track of your food stamp allowance:
Use an App
The Providers EBT app is the #1 rated app for checking your food stamp balance. It is available in 52 states and territories and supports most EBT card programs, including SNAP and WIC. The app also allows you to see all your spending in one place, including other benefits like Social Security/SSI, Child Tax Credit, and Cash Benefits (TANF). You can also find stores that accept EBT and WIC through the app, as well as food pantries.
Check Online
If you are in Washington State, you can check your EBT card balance online at ebtedge.com. This website is also mentioned as a resource for checking your balance if you live in other states and want to use your Washington Quest EBT card while travelling.
Call Customer Service
For Washington State, the EBT Customer Service number is 1-888-328-9271. You can call this number to check your balance, select or change your PIN, and report a lost or stolen card. Other states may have different customer service numbers, which you can find by searching for your specific state's EBT program.
Keep Receipts
If you use your EBT card at a store or farmer's market, be sure to keep your receipt so you know your new balance for next time. This is especially important if you are unable or do not wish to use the app, website, or calling methods mentioned above.
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Frequently asked questions
You must apply for SNAP in the state where you currently live. Each state has a different application form and process, so a member of your household must contact your state agency directly to apply. You can do this by visiting your local SNAP office, visiting your state agency's website, or calling your state's toll-free SNAP Information hotline.
In general, people must meet work requirements to be eligible for SNAP. These include registering for work, not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing hours, taking a job if offered, and participating in employment and training programs if assigned by the state. Able-bodied adults without dependents are required to work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP benefits for more than three months in a 36-month period.
Yes, food stamp work requirements will not apply to you if you are aged 17 or younger, or aged 50 or older, mentally or physically unfit for work, living with any child in your SNAP household, caring for an ill or incapacitated household member or relative, in a drug or alcohol treatment program, receiving or have applied for Unemployment Insurance, expecting to return to work within 60 days, enrolled as a student at least half-time, a victim of domestic violence, or living in an area that is exempt.
If you are found eligible, you will receive SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. Benefits are automatically loaded into your account each month, and you can use your EBT card to buy groceries at authorized food stores and retailers.
The total amount of SNAP benefits your household gets each month is called an allotment. SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their own resources on food, so your allotment is calculated by multiplying your household's net monthly income by 0.3 and subtracting that result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
