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.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of cash benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and coupon books to distribute the cash benefits.
The SNAP food assistance program is administered by the state’s SNAP department. Learn more about SNAP on the United States Department of Agriculture website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
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.
SNAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) 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 Number | Federal Maximum Allotment Per Month |
| 1 | $194 |
| 2 | $355 |
| 3 | $509 |
| 4 | $646 |
| 5 | $768 |
| 6 | $921 |
| 7 | $1,018 |
| 8 | $1,164 |
| Each additional household member | +146 |
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, click here.
To qualify for SNAP, you must meet the following requirements:
If you are a noncitizen American Indian, you qualify as a lawful immigrant and can apply with an alien status. This includes if you are an American Indian born in Canada or are part of certain tribes, such as the St. Regis Band of Mohawk in New York, the Micmac in Maine, the Abenaki in Vermont, and the Kickapoo in Texas and others. Learn more about qualifying for SNAP as an eligible alien status here and on page 82 here.
Specific American Indian-related earnings and benefits are not included as income such as
Check out details on exceptions to income and resources starting on page 102 here.
Learn more about SNAP income limits and other eligibility criteria here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy.
American Indians follow the same application process as other state residents. However, you will need to present additional paperwork to establish eligibility as a Native American if a noncitizen (qualifying with an alien status). Check out documents you will need to present to establish eligible alien status as a Native American here.
If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the USDA SNAP website here.
Click here to find the nearest SNAP office location and contact information.
Find resources like downloadable and online applications, office locators and more from your state’s SNAP agency here.
You can check your application by calling the SNAP office where you applied. Click here to find office contact information.
After you have submitted your application to your SNAP office, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be face-to-face or by telephone.
Your application will be delayed if documents are missing from your application, the SNAP office needs more information from you to finish processing your request or you miss your interview or scheduled appointments.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days.
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 SNAP 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.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the SNAP office, you can appeal your decision within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal, contact your SNAP 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.
You may need to provide a written statement that includes the following information:
For more information on the appeal process, click here.
You can check the balance of your EBT card by calling the number on the back of your card.
Learn more information about EBT cards and how to use your benefits on the USDA EBT card page here.
If you have not received your EBT card within 30 days of receiving your approval notice, call your local SNAP office for assistance.
If you have lost your EBT card and require a replacement, call the number listed on the back.
You cannot obtain a replacement EBT card in person at a SNAP office.
For more answers to common questions related to EBT cards, click here.
| Location | Program Name in Location | Contact Information | Office Directory |
| Alabama | Food Assistance | Toll-free number: 1 (833) 822-220TTY: 1 (833) 822-2202 / 711 or 1 (800) 548-2546 | https://dhr.alabama.gov/county-office-contact/ |
| Alaska | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: (907) 465-3347 | https://dhss.alaska.gov/dpa/Pages/contacts.aspx |
| Arizona | Nutrition Assistance | Hotline: 1 (800) 352-8401 General information: 1 (855) 432-7587TTY: 711 | https://des.az.gov/services/basic-needs/family-assistance/contact-family-assistance-administration-f |
| Arkansas | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 482-8988 / (501) 682-8269TTY/TDD: (501) 682-7958 | https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/offices |
| California | CalFresh | Hotline: 1 (877) 847-3663TYY: 711 | https://cdss.ca.gov/county-offices |
| Colorado | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 536-5298TTY: 800 | https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/contact-your-county |
| Connecticut | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (860) 424-5030TTY: (800) 842-4524 | https://portal.ct.gov/dss/About-the-Department-of-Social-Services/Contact |
| Delaware | Food Supplement Program | Hotline: 1 (800) 372-2022TTY: 711 | https://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dss/contact.html |
| District of Columbia | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: (202) 673-4464TTY: 711 | https://dcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/SimpleViewer/index.html?appid=ffc9e2992d9f429489b84110284f81a8 |
| Florida | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotlines: 1 (866) 762-2237 / (850) 300-4323TTY: 711/ 1 (800) 955-8771 | https://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/access/map.shtml |
| Georgia | Georgia Food Stamp Program | Hotline: 1 (877) 423-4746 TTY: 1 (800) 255-0135 | https://dfcs.georgia.gov/locations |
| Hawaii | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: (855) 643-1643 TTY: 711 | https://humanservices.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Addresses-for-Benefits-Offices-Statewide.pdf |
| Idaho | Idaho Food Stamps | Hotline: 1 (877) 456-1233 TTY: 211/ 1 (800) 926-2588 | https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/ContactUs/tabid/127/Default.aspx |
| Illinois | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 843-6154 TTY: 711/ 1 (800) 447-6404 | https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12 |
| Indiana | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (877) 768-5098 DFR toll-free phone: 1 (800) 403-0864TTY: 711 | https://secure.in.gov/apps/fssa/providersearch/map |
| Iowa | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotline: 1 (877) 347-5678 / 1 (888) 426-6283 TTY: 1 (800) 735-2942 | https://dhs.iowa.gov/dhs_office_locator |
| Kansas | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotline: 1 (785) 296-1491 | https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/Pages/DCFOfficeLocatorMap.aspx |
| Kentucky | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 800-372-2973TTY: 1-785-296-1491 | https://prdweb.chfs.ky.gov/Office_Phone/index.aspx# |
| Louisiana | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (888) 524-3578 TTY: 1 (844) 224-6188 | https://www.dss.state.la.us/directory |
| Maine | Food Supplement Program (FSP) | Hotline: (877) 63-6207 TTY: 711 | https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/about/contact/offices |
| Maryland | Food Supplement Program (FSP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 332-6347 TTY: 1 (800) 735-2258 | https://dhr.maryland.gov/local-offices/ |
| Massachusetts | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 249-2007TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 720-3480 / 1 (866) 930-9252 (SPA) | https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance/locations?_page=1 |
| Michigan | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotline: 1 (855) 275-6424TTY: 711 | https://mdhhs.michigan.gov/CompositeDirPub/CountyCompositeDirectory.aspx |
| Minnesota | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: (800) 657-3698 (toll-free)TTY: 1 (800) 627-3529 | https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/about-dhs/contact-us/counties-and-regional-offices/ |
| Mississippi | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 948-3050General assistance: (601) 359-4500TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 735-2466 | https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/contact/ |
| Missouri | Food Stamp Program (FSP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 392-1261TTY: 1 (800) 735-2966 | https://dss.mo.gov/dss_map/ |
| Montana | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 332-2272 / (888) 706-1535TYY: (406) 444-1421 | https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/OfficeofPublicAssistance.aspx |
| Nebraska | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 383-4278TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 833-7352 | https://dhhs.ne.gov/DD%20Documents/DHHS-DD%20Main%20Directory.pdf#search=locations |
| Nevada | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 992-0900 / (775) 684-0615 (ext. 40500)TTY: 1 (800) 326-6888 / 1 (800) 992-0900 (voice) | https://dwss.nv.gov/Contact/Welfare/ |
| New Hampshire | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 852-3345 (ext. 9700)TTY: 1 (800) 735-2964 / 711 | https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/contactus/districtoffices.htm |
| New Jersey | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 792-9773 / 1 (800) 687-9512TTY: 1 (800) 701-0720 | https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dfd/programs/njsnap/cbss/index.html |
| New Mexico | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 800-432-6217TTY: 1-877-294-4356 / 711 | https://www.hsd.state.nm.us/LookingForAssistance/Field_Offices_1.aspx |
| New York | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 342-3009 / (718) 557-1399 (NYC only)TTY: 711 / (212) 504-4115 (NYC only) | https://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp |
| North Carolina | Food and Nutrition Services | Hotline: 1 (800) 662-7030TTY: 711 | https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/social-services/local-dss-directory |
| North Dakota | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 755-2716TTY: 1 (800) 366-6888 | https://www.nd.gov/dhs/locations/countysocialserv/ |
| Ohio | Food Assistance Program (FAP) | Hotline: 1 (866) 244-0071 TTY: 711 | https://jfs.ohio.gov/county/county_directory.pdf |
| Oklahoma | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (866) 411-1877TTY: 711 | https://www.okdhs.org/countyoffices/Pages/default.aspx |
| Oregon | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 723-3638 / (503) 945-5600TTY: (503) 945-5896 | https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/Self-Sufficiency.aspx |
| Pennsylvania | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (800) 692-7462 / 1 (800) 451-5886TTY: 1 (800) 451-5886 | https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/Find%20Facilities.aspx |
| Puerto Rico | Programa de Asistencia Nutricional (PAN) | Hotlines: 311 / (787) 289-7600TTY: 1 (800) 877-8339 | https://servicios.adsef.pr.gov/contactenos.aspx |
| Rhode Island | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: (401) 462-5300 / (401) 785-3340TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 745-6575 (Voice) / 1 (800) 745-5555 | https://www.dhs.ri.gov/DHSOffices/DHS-14FieldOfficeListingRev%2001-20.pdf |
| South Carolina | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 616-1309TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 735-8583 | https://dss.sc.gov/contact/ |
| South Dakota | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (877) 999-5612 / 1 (866) 854-5465TTY: 711 | https://dss.sd.gov/findyourlocaloffice/ |
| Tennessee | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (866) 311-4287TTY: 711 | https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/office-locator-family-assistance.html |
| Texas | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 211 (toll-free) / 1 (877) 541-7905TTY: 711 | https://www.dshs.texas.gov/regions/default.shtm |
| Utah | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotlines: 1 (866) 526-3663 / 1 (800) 331-4341TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 346-4128 | https://jobs.utah.gov/jsp/officesearch/#/map |
| Vermont | 3SquaresVT | Hotline: 1 (800) 479-6151 TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 253-0191 | https://dcf.vermont.gov/main-contacts |
| Virginia | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 552-3431TTY: 1 (800) 828-1120 / 711 | https://www.dss.virginia.gov/localagency/index.cgi |
| Washington | Basic Food | Hotline: 1 (877) 501-2233 TTY: 711 | https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-locations?field_geofield_distance%5Bdistance%5D=100&field_geofield_distance%5Bunit%5D=3959&field_geofield_distance%5Borigin%5D=&field_office_type_tid%5B0%5D=9651 |
| West Virginia | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: 1 (800) 642-8589 TTY: (866) 430-1274 (TTY) or (800) 676-3777 (Voice) / 1 (800) 676-4290 (SPA) | https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Pages/MapList.aspx |
| Wisconsin | FoodShare | Hotline: 1 (800) 362-3002TTY: 711 / 1 (800) 947-3529 | https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index.htm |
| Wyoming | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Hotline: (307) 777-5846TTY: 711 / 1( 800) 452-1408 (TTY/Voice) | https://dfs.wyo.gov/about/contact-us/ |
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits or for any further questions about your application, call your local SNAP office. Find your nearest location here.
Find resources like downloadable and online applications, office locators and more from your state’s SNAP agency here.
You can also contact your regional Food and Nutrition Service office. Find the contact information here.
You can also email the USDA at USDAFoods@usda.gov.
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 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.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps program, helps families buy the food they need to stay healthy.
American Indians follow the same application process as other state residents. However, you will need to present additional paperwork to establish eligibility as a Native American if a noncitizen (qualifying with an alien status). Check out documents you will need to present to establish eligible alien status as a Native American here.
If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to SNAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive SNAP benefits here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the USDA SNAP website here.
Click here to find the nearest SNAP office location and contact information.
Find resources like downloadable and online applications, office locators and more from your state’s SNAP agency here.
You can check your application by calling the SNAP office where you applied. Click here to find office contact information.
After you have submitted your application to your SNAP office, you will need to complete an interview. The interview may be face-to-face or by telephone.
Your application will be delayed if documents are missing from your application, the SNAP office needs more information from you to finish processing your request or you miss your interview or scheduled appointments.
If you are approved, you will then receive your EBT card in the mail within 30 days of your determination letter unless you are eligible for expedited services, which give you benefits within only 7 days.
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 SNAP 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.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the SNAP office, you can appeal your decision within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal, contact your SNAP 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.
You may need to provide a written statement that includes the following information:
For more information on the appeal process, click here.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits or for any further questions about your application, call your local SNAP office. Find your nearest location here.
Find resources like downloadable and online applications, office locators and more from your state’s SNAP agency here.
You can also contact your regional Food and Nutrition Service office. Find the contact information here.
You can also email the USDA at USDAFoods@usda.gov.
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 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.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.