Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

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Demonstration of Economic Need

Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account, or $3250 in countable resources if at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled. This amount is not to be exceeded.  TANF and SSI benefits will not be included in this calculation.  Home ownership is not a factor either.  Households may apply for emergency SNAP if income is less than $150 per month.  These benefits will be expedited.

To demonstrate this, financial paperwork such as last 3 pay stubs, all bills, expenses, etc. must be documented as explained in the documentation section.  Further, households must pass the net and gross income test.

Gross monthly test	0-130% of FPL
Net monthly test	0-100% of FPL

Must be a Legal Resident of the US

One does not have to be a citizen but must be a legal resident of the US to qualify for benefits.  This can be demonstrated by immigration paperwork or US citizen status.
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Must Hold Job or be in Job Training Program to Continue Benefits

Benefits will cease after a certain period if there is no demonstration of employment or the desire to be employed.  This will be demonstrated by paperwork listed in the documents section.

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Application Form

The link for the application is below.  It includes TANF and CHIP as well.

They can do this form online or in paper format.  If they have access to the web, they can do it online and actually track the progress of their case.To apply for SNAP, you must fill out the application and send it in with all of the required documentation.  You must then schedule an interview with your local SNAP office.  You will need to bring many documents with you to this interview (find sample list below).  Please emphasize that they have copies of all of their documents AND take the original documents as well.  However, remind them to securely hang on to their original documentation and not to surrender the original document for this purpose.  They should receive notification of eligibility soon after.  However, if they are not approved, they should return to their local SNAP office and discuss their case with a SNAP officer because sometimes there are minor problems with documentation or other glitches that can serve as a barrier to receiving benefits.**If the person lives too far away or has any other reason why they would not be able to make it to a SNAP interview (i.e. work), they will indicate this on their application and they may be able to work around this (but no guarantees).

Here are examples of some papers that you will need to make copies of:

• Driver’s license or State identification card (or any other identification card)
• Immigration status (Need current papers)
• Legal representative forms (if applicable) such as power of attorney, court order, guardianship, etc.
• Birth certificate;
• Pay stubs (Last 3 pay stubs or employer verification form or )
• Agency letter showing money received, like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, child support, alimony, unemployment, retirement, etc.;
• Most recent bank statements from all accounts
• Medical costs (bills).  Please also bring a list of future perceived medical expenses.
• Rent or mortgage costs including the name of the landlord (plus his or her address and phone number)
• Dependent care expense documents
• Rental agreement or letter from your landlord, or mortgage statement that shows your address;
• Utility bills, such as electricity, gas, and water;
• Cancelled checks for daycare or child support payments for your child(ren); and
• Social security benefits stubs, pension stubs, and/or other benefits stubs (worker’s compensation, Unemployment, etc.)
• Military papers (if applicable)
• Child support papers (if applicable) whether you pay or receive
• Medical bills that you pay (if you are 60 or older, or disabled)
• Loans and gifts (including information that proves if someone else pays the bills for you (applicable often to senior or young adults))

Q: I want to make a complete lifestyle change or want to eat healthier.  How can I do this on SNAP?
A: Contact your local office to receive a schedule of “SNAP-Ed” classes.  These are SNAP Educational classes that teach participants the basics of nutrition and healthy food preparation.  They will also talk about easy ways to exercise and encourage healthy eating.

Q: How long does the hotline take questions by phone?
A: 8 AM – 8 PM CST.

Q: Can I get help filling out this form?  It’s too confusing.
A: There are services available. Call your local SNAP office, the 211 hotline, or ECHOS to get an appointment with a representative who can help you.

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Demonstration of Economic Need

Households may have $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account, or $3250 in countable resources if at least one person is age 60 or older, or is disabled. This amount is not to be exceeded.  TANF and SSI benefits will not be included in this calculation.  Home ownership is not a factor either.  Households may apply for emergency SNAP if income is less than $150 per month.  These benefits will be expedited.

To demonstrate this, financial paperwork such as last 3 pay stubs, all bills, expenses, etc. must be documented as explained in the documentation section.  Further, households must pass the net and gross income test.

Gross monthly test	0-130% of FPL
Net monthly test	0-100% of FPL

Must be a Legal Resident of the US

One does not have to be a citizen but must be a legal resident of the US to qualify for benefits.  This can be demonstrated by immigration paperwork or US citizen status.
df

Must Hold Job or be in Job Training Program to Continue Benefits

Benefits will cease after a certain period if there is no demonstration of employment or the desire to be employed.  This will be demonstrated by paperwork listed in the documents section.

---

Application Form

The link for the application is below.  It includes TANF and CHIP as well.

They can do this form online or in paper format.  If they have access to the web, they can do it online and actually track the progress of their case.To apply for SNAP, you must fill out the application and send it in with all of the required documentation.  You must then schedule an interview with your local SNAP office.  You will need to bring many documents with you to this interview (find sample list below).  Please emphasize that they have copies of all of their documents AND take the original documents as well.  However, remind them to securely hang on to their original documentation and not to surrender the original document for this purpose.  They should receive notification of eligibility soon after.  However, if they are not approved, they should return to their local SNAP office and discuss their case with a SNAP officer because sometimes there are minor problems with documentation or other glitches that can serve as a barrier to receiving benefits.**If the person lives too far away or has any other reason why they would not be able to make it to a SNAP interview (i.e. work), they will indicate this on their application and they may be able to work around this (but no guarantees).

Here are examples of some papers that you will need to make copies of:

• Driver’s license or State identification card (or any other identification card)
• Immigration status (Need current papers)
• Legal representative forms (if applicable) such as power of attorney, court order, guardianship, etc.
• Birth certificate;
• Pay stubs (Last 3 pay stubs or employer verification form or )
• Agency letter showing money received, like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, child support, alimony, unemployment, retirement, etc.;
• Most recent bank statements from all accounts
• Medical costs (bills).  Please also bring a list of future perceived medical expenses.
• Rent or mortgage costs including the name of the landlord (plus his or her address and phone number)
• Dependent care expense documents
• Rental agreement or letter from your landlord, or mortgage statement that shows your address;
• Utility bills, such as electricity, gas, and water;
• Cancelled checks for daycare or child support payments for your child(ren); and
• Social security benefits stubs, pension stubs, and/or other benefits stubs (worker’s compensation, Unemployment, etc.)
• Military papers (if applicable)
• Child support papers (if applicable) whether you pay or receive
• Medical bills that you pay (if you are 60 or older, or disabled)
• Loans and gifts (including information that proves if someone else pays the bills for you (applicable often to senior or young adults))

Q: I want to make a complete lifestyle change or want to eat healthier.  How can I do this on SNAP?
A: Contact your local office to receive a schedule of “SNAP-Ed” classes.  These are SNAP Educational classes that teach participants the basics of nutrition and healthy food preparation.  They will also talk about easy ways to exercise and encourage healthy eating.

Q: How long does the hotline take questions by phone?
A: 8 AM – 8 PM CST.

Q: Can I get help filling out this form?  It’s too confusing.
A: There are services available. Call your local SNAP office, the 211 hotline, or ECHOS to get an appointment with a representative who can help you.