While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

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What Are Food Stamps?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Assistance, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of monthly benefits.

SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the benefits.

The Iowa SNAP food assistance program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services. Learn more about SNAP on the Iowa Department of Human Services website here.

What Can Food Stamps Buy?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:

  • Fruits and vegetables;
  • Meat, poultry, and fish;
  • Dairy products;
  • Breads and cereals;
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.

There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.

How Much Assistance Does SNAP Provide?

SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.

To calculate your allotment amount, multiply your household’s net income by 0.3 and then subtract that number from the federal maximum monthly benefit amount in the table below.

Household NumberFederal Maximum Allotment Per Month
1$291
2$535
3$766
4$973
5$1,155
6$1,386
7$1,532
8$1,751
Each additional household member+219

You have one year (365 days) to use your allotment or the benefits on your EBT card will be canceled. 

To learn more about your benefit amount in Iowa, click here.

Requirements to Qualify for SNAP in Iowa

To qualify for SNAP in Iowa, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must be a United States citizen or legal resident
  • You must be a resident of Iowa
  • You must have a household income and resources that do not exceed the limits set by Iowa and the federal government
  • You must work or participate in an employment training program, if applicable  

Learn more about Iowa’s income limits and other eligibility criteria here

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Iowa

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Iowa Food Assistance Program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.  

You may need to provide documents such as proof of income. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required. 

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail, or by fax.

To apply for Food Assistance online, create an account on Iowa’s DHS Self Service Portal here and fill out the Food Assistance application. 

To apply for Food Assistance in person, click here to find the nearest Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) office location.

To apply for Food Assistance by fax, fill out the Financial Support Application found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the fax line for your local office. 

To apply for Food Assistance by mail, fill out the Financial Support Application and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local office. 

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877) 347-5678 or contact your local DHS office.  

If you need a Food Assistance application in Spanish, click here

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • By calling the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877) 347-5678. 
  • By contacting your local DHS office in person or by phone. Click here to find the nearest Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) office location.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

After applying for Iowa Food Assistance, you will receive a notice by mail for a scheduled phone interview with your assigned caseworker. If you are not available for the scheduled time, you must call the number on the notice to reschedule. 

During your interview, your caseworker will gather information about you and the members of your household to determine your eligibility for Food Assistance. After your interview is concluded, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. In some cases, your caseworker may be able to tell you if you are approved and your benefit amount at the end of your interview. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail. 

If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Human Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you must provide this information or documentation before your application can be approved. 

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with Food Assistance here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Iowa Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person, online, by phone, or by mail after receiving your determination letter. The date that you must submit your appeal will be listed on your determination letter. 

To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.

To file an appeal online, complete and submit the Appeal and Request for Hearing form here

To file an appeal by phone, call the Appeals Section at 1 (515) 281-3094 or call your local DHS office. 

To file a claim by mail, you will need to print and complete the Appeal and Request for Hearing form found here or request one from your local office. You can submit your completed form by mail to your local office. 

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 432-4328. You can also check your balance online here

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Iowa Department of Human Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (877) 347-5678 or your local DHS office for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Iowa’s EBT customer service number at 1 (877) 347-5678 or contact your local DHS office.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Human Services office in Iowa.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining Food Assistance benefits, to report a change, or for any further questions about your application, call the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877)-347-5678

You can also visit or call a local Department of Human Services for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.  

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024

Table of Contents

Steps to Apply for SNAP in Iowa

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the Iowa Food Assistance Program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:

  1. Review the application requirements.

Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.  

You may need to provide documents such as proof of income. You can also view a copy of the application here to see what information is required. 

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by mail, or by fax.

To apply for Food Assistance online, create an account on Iowa’s DHS Self Service Portal here and fill out the Food Assistance application. 

To apply for Food Assistance in person, click here to find the nearest Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) office location.

To apply for Food Assistance by fax, fill out the Financial Support Application found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the fax line for your local office. 

To apply for Food Assistance by mail, fill out the Financial Support Application and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local office. 

If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877) 347-5678 or contact your local DHS office.  

If you need a Food Assistance application in Spanish, click here

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • By calling the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877) 347-5678. 
  • By contacting your local DHS office in person or by phone. Click here to find the nearest Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) office location.

What Happens After You Apply for SNAP?

After applying for Iowa Food Assistance, you will receive a notice by mail for a scheduled phone interview with your assigned caseworker. If you are not available for the scheduled time, you must call the number on the notice to reschedule. 

During your interview, your caseworker will gather information about you and the members of your household to determine your eligibility for Food Assistance. After your interview is concluded, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services with your determination and benefit amount. In some cases, your caseworker may be able to tell you if you are approved and your benefit amount at the end of your interview. If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail. 

If documents are missing from your application, or the Department of Human Services needs more information from you to finish processing your request, you must provide this information or documentation before your application can be approved. 

Once you receive your EBT card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by SNAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions. Learn about what you can purchase with Food Assistance here.

SNAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your EBT card, call the number on the back of your card. You can also check your balance online here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits or a Low Benefit Amount

If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Iowa Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person, online, by phone, or by mail after receiving your determination letter. The date that you must submit your appeal will be listed on your determination letter. 

To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Health and Human Services office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.

To file an appeal online, complete and submit the Appeal and Request for Hearing form here

To file an appeal by phone, call the Appeals Section at 1 (515) 281-3094 or call your local DHS office. 

To file a claim by mail, you will need to print and complete the Appeal and Request for Hearing form found here or request one from your local office. You can submit your completed form by mail to your local office. 

How to Check the Balance on Your EBT Card

You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card or 1 (888) 432-4328. You can also check your balance online here

Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the Iowa Department of Human Services EBT card page here.

How to Replace a Lost EBT Card or Benefits

If you have not received your EBT card within 10 days of receiving your approval notice, call 1 (877) 347-5678 or your local DHS office for assistance.

If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call Iowa’s EBT customer service number at 1 (877) 347-5678 or contact your local DHS office.

You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a Department of Human Services office in Iowa.

For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining Food Assistance benefits, to report a change, or for any further questions about your application, call the Iowa Department of Human Services at 1 (877)-347-5678

You can also visit or call a local Department of Human Services for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

View or Download Our Free Guide

While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.  

Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, requirements for program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.

Last Updated: February 2, 2024