Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

As of Oct. 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. The new name reflects the changes we've made to meet the needs of our clients, including a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts. SNAP is the federal name for the program. State programs may have different names.

For Households in the 48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 20, 2009. To get SNAP benefits, households must meet certain tests, including resource and income tests:

Resoruces:

Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account and automobile. Households may have $3,000 if at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled.

Income:

Households have to meet income tests unless all members are receiving TANF, SSI, or in some places general assistance.  1 person would qualify if the NET less than $867/month, 2 people $1,167/month, 3 people $1,467/month, 4 people, $1,767/month.

Benefits:

The amount of benefits the household gets is called an allotment. The net monthly income of the household is multiplied by .3, and the result is subtracted from the maximum allotment for the household size to find the household's allotment. This is because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30 percent of their resources on food.  Maximum for 1 person would be $176, for 2 people $323, for 3 people $463, for 4 people $588.

Helpful Links:

Find out if you might be eligible for SNAP nutrition benefits.

Locate your local SNAP office and your State's application form.

Complete an application to become an authorized SNAP retailer.