In many situations, people might find themselves in need of help. If you are a single mother, the head of a low-income family, or you just had a financial crisis, you will be familiar with this feeling. To help you out, the federal government develops a wide range of assistance programs for different life necessities. Supplying food, medical care, housing, child care, education, and financial assistance are all included in these programs’ objectives.

One of the most reliable and popular federal assistance programs is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Formerly known as “food stamps”, SNAP aims to help low-income families and individuals buy high-quality food.

How Does SNAP Actually Work?

Back in the late 1900’s, paper food stamps were replaced with electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, which functioned similarly to debit cards and were linked to benefits accounts. It took until 2014 for paper stamps to be phased out completely. Every month, the EBT cards get refilled and can be used to buy food items in stores that accept them as a form of payment like grocery stores, gas stations, etc.

Using the EBT system, the state governments provide benefits and track their use. Other public assistance programs have been merged into the EBT systems in some states.

SNAP benefits are deposited into electronic benefit accounts that require a PIN number to access. As a recipient, you can use the card, just the way you use a debit card, at EBT participating stores, ATMs, and point-of-sale (POS) terminals.

How to Apply?

You may be able to apply for SNAP online, by mail, or by phone. Because each state has a unique application form and process, we recommend contacting your local state SNAP office for more information.

After you submit your SNAP application, it may take up to 30 days for your local SNAP office to process it. During the application review process, your SNAP office may ask you to complete a simple interview. This interview is usually conducted over the phone or in person.

If you are eligible, you will begin receiving benefits depending on the day you filed your application. If you fulfill additional requirements, you may be eligible for SNAP benefits within 7 days after submitting your application.

What Can I Purchase with SNAP?

SNAP benefits cover so many groceries and food items that you need, including:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Poultry, meat, and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Cereals and different types of bread;
• Other foods, like snack foods and nonalcoholic beverages;
• And plants and seeds that you can use to produce food.

However, there are some exclusions from the SNAP benefits, such as:

• Alcohol and tobacco products like cigarettes;
• Medicines, vitamins, and supplements;
• Live animals;
• Non Food grocery items, such as cleaning supplies and pets food;
• And hot meals.

Where Can I Use My EBT Card?

You can use SNAP benefits to purchase food at lots of local grocery stores, convenience stores, farmer’s markets, and even some online delivery websites like Walmart and Amazon. To locate the nearest SNAP retailer to you, you can confirm online. You can also ask stores directly where you plan on purchasing if they do or not. Directly confirming could reduce unexpected denials down the line!

The Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP)

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income families that have suffered food loss or damage as a result of a natural disaster. D-SNAP standards are different from regular SNAP in order to meet the specific requirements of disaster survivors. If you are not ordinarily eligible for SNAP, you may be eligible for D-SNAP if you have one of the disaster-related expenses listed below:

• House or business repairs or protection;
• Temporary shelter;
• Expenses for evacuation or relocation;
• Personal injury resulting from a natural disaster, including funeral expenses;
• Losing your income source due to a disaster; this includes reduced, terminated, or delayed receipt of income, for a large part of the benefit period.

In the event that you are a current SNAP recipient, you can request a supplement when your state implements D-SNAP if you are currently receiving benefits. This is only an option if you are receiving less than the monthly limit, and you have suffered losses because of the disaster. As usual, just call your local office.

In a Word…

It is okay to seek help when you find yourself in a tight spot. Securing healthy food is essential, not a luxurious aspect that can simply be ignored or given up on. Therefore you should consider applying for SNAP; it has been helping millions of Americans and you can join them. Participating in this program can have a great impact on your financial and health situation.

Find out if you are eligible and apply for SNAP benefits by contacting your local SNAP office, visiting your state agency’s website, or calling your state’s toll-free SNAP Information hotline. Some states provide online applications that you can fill out on the state agency’s website. In case of a disaster, you can apply for D-SNAP.