How to Apply for Emergency Food Stamps

Completing Your SNAP Application

Determine if you qualify for emergency SNAP benefits. Emergency SNAP benefits are only available to people with an extremely low income. If you don't qualify for emergency SNAP, you might still qualify for regular SNAP. Generally, you qualify for emergency SNAP if at least one of the following applies to you and your household: You have income of less than $150 for the month and have less than $100 in cash or savings Your monthly income and total cash or savings is less than your monthly housing expenses You are a migrant worker with less than $100 in cash or savings

Gather documents to verify your application information. When you submit a SNAP application, the caseworker will need to verify specific details about your household, including your identity, citizenship status, residency, income, and expenses. If you bring these documents with you when you complete your application, the caseworker can make a decision more quickly. Documents you should bring include: Your Social Security card (or green card if you're not a US citizen) A lease, utility bill, deed, or mortgage statement (to prove residency) Pay stubs (to show your earnings and hours worked) Award letters or payment records for other incomeTip: If you can't access any of the documents you need, let a caseworker know. They will help you get them. You may not need all of them to get emergency SNAP started. However, you will need them to get more than one month's benefits.

Go to a benefits office in person to apply for SNAP. If you need emergency SNAP, applying in person ensures that your application is processed more quickly. Bring the documents you gathered with you so the information in your application can be verified immediately. To get the address and contact information for the nearest SNAP office, go to https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory and click on your state on the map.

Use the online application if you can't go in person. All states have an online SNAP application. If you can't make it to the benefits office to apply in person, applying online is the next fastest option. Simply do an online search for "apply SNAP benefits" with the name of your state. Make sure you're on the official site for your state. The URL will likely end in ".gov." Look at the top of the page for the state seal. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you may also see information indicating that the website is an official state government site. If you apply online, you'll have to send in documents to verify your application information. This may mean a trip in person to the benefits office. Some states may allow you to scan documents and attach those digital copies to your online application.

Meet with your caseworker to discuss your household circumstances. When the benefits office receives your application, your case will be assigned to a caseworker. That caseworker will interview you before deciding on your application. Some states have phone interviews. However, if you have the option to do an in-person interview and can make it to the benefits office, you may get your benefits started more quickly. If you go to the benefits office to fill out your application in person, you may be able to meet with a caseworker right then.

Provide any additional documents your caseworker requests. During the interview, the caseworker will ask you questions about the information you provided on your application. Based on your answers, the caseworker may want additional documentation to verify your household situation. The sooner you can get these documents to your caseworker, the sooner they can decide on your application. If you don't have access to documents your caseworker wants or don't know how to get them, let your caseworker know. They'll work with you to help you get those documents. If you qualify for emergency SNAP, you may be able to get benefits before you get these documents to your caseworker. However, you still need to provide them or you won't get any additional benefits and may have to pay back the benefits you've already received.

Wait to find out if your application was approved. If you qualify for emergency food stamps, your application should be approved within a few days after you submit it. If you apply in person, you may find out that day if your application is approved. You will still receive a formal written notice in the mail with the details of the decision. Keep your written notice in a safe place. It includes important details about your benefits and you may need to refer to it later. If you do not qualify for emergency SNAP, you may still qualify for regular SNAP benefits. Your notice will explain how much you'll get each month and when your benefits will start. If your application was denied, the notice will tell you why and give you information on what to do if you disagree with the decision and want to appeal it.Tip: If you don't have a permanent mailing address you can use, let your caseworker know. You can pick up your written notice at the benefits office.

Receiving Your Benefits

Pick up your EBT card from the benefits office. Your benefits will be delivered to you each month on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. This card works just like a debit card. You will have a PIN you have to enter each time you use it. If you qualify for emergency SNAP, you may get a temporary EBT card the same day. If your state uses an EBT card with a photo, you'll have to wait to get your permanent EBT card. Typically, it will be mailed to you. If you don't have a permanent mailing address, let your caseworker know so they can have your card sent to the benefits office for you to pick up instead.

Take a photo for your card if necessary. Some states require a photo on your EBT card. Typically, they will use the digital photo that was taken when you last got your driver's license or state-issued ID card. If you don't have one of these cards, they'll take your photo at the benefits office for your EBT card. You can still get your benefits and use an EBT card without a photo while you're waiting for your photo card to be printed.Tip: In some situations, such as if you are 60 or over, blind, disabled, or homeless, you may not need a photo on your card. If you think a photo shouldn't be required for you, talk to your caseworker.

Use your EBT card to buy food at participating retailers. When you go shopping for food, look for the logo on the door or at the cash register that indicates EBT cards are accepted. When you make your purchase, you can swipe your EBT card just like any debit or credit card. When you swipe your EBT card, you will have to enter your PIN. Do not write your PIN on your card or a slip of paper you keep with your card. Instead, do your best to memorize it. Even if your card has your name and your photo on it, anyone can use your card if they have your PIN. If someone gains access to your PIN without your permission, contact your benefits office immediately to change it.

Designate an authorized representative if you want one. Even though your EBT card has your picture on it, other household members who were named on your application are free to use the card to buy food as long as they know your PIN. However, if you want someone to do your food shopping for you and have their own card, you'll need to fill out a form and submit it to the benefits office. Ask your caseworker for the form you need. Once you've completed it and the person you've chosen has signed it, give it back to your caseworker and they'll take care of the rest.

Participate in a work and training program if required. If you're able to work but don't have a job, the benefits office may require you to attend a work and training program. These programs provide resources to help you find a job more quickly than you could on your own. If you're required to participate in a work and training program and never show up for the program, you may lose your benefits. You may also have to pay back benefits you've already received.

Figure out when your monthly benefits will be loaded onto your card. Your benefits load onto your EBT card on the same day each month. The specific day is typically determined by the last digit of your Social Security number. The day of the month when your benefits will be loaded onto your card will typically be listed on your written notice. You can also get this information from your caseworker.

Appealing a Denial of Benefits

Find out if you are still eligible for monthly SNAP benefits. Even if you're not approved for emergency SNAP benefits, you may still be able to get regular SNAP benefits. It will just take a little longer for you to get your benefits for the first month. The written notice you receive with your benefits decision will tell you what day each month your benefits will be loaded onto your EBT card, and how much you'll receive in benefits each month. If you need food assistance before that date, talk to your caseworker. They can give you information about local food banks and charities that provide free food to those in need. If you think you qualify for emergency SNAP but were refused, you may be able to appeal that decision. However, it typically doesn't make much sense to do so, even if you can, because the appeals process can take several weeks.

Draft an appeal request using the form provided with your notice. If your SNAP application is denied, the written notice will include a form that you can use to appeal that decision. Read the notice carefully so that you understand the reason your application was denied. If you have additional documentation that supports your argument that the decision was wrong, you can attach this to your form. If you've lost the form, you can get another one from your benefits office. You can also write a letter to appeal the decision. Make sure your letter includes your name, address, telephone number, benefits office case number, and date. State that you are appealing your SNAP decision, then explain the reason for your appeal.Tip: You must file your appeal by the deadline on your notice. Typically, this deadline is 90 days from the date on your notice. However, your deadline may be shorter depending on your state's rules.

File your notice of appeal at the local benefits office. Make a copy of your appeal form for your records, then take it in person to your local benefits office. This way, you can be certain that your appeal was received before the deadline. Ask the caseworker who takes your form to write the date on the form and your copy, so you have that for your records. Get them to sign or initial by the date. If you can't get to the local benefits office, you can also mail in your form. Just make sure you mail it in plenty of time to get there before the deadline. It's a good idea to mail it using certified mail with return receipt requested, so you have proof of the date when your form was received.

Start gathering evidence for your appeal hearing. Write down the part of the decision that the benefits office was wrong about and your reasons why. Then look for documents you can use to prove your reasons. These documents should be things you haven't already shown to the caseworker. If the caseworker interpreted documents you already provided incorrectly, look for other documents or people that might prove that their interpretation was incorrect. For example, maybe the caseworker decided you made too much money to qualify. However, you just started that job and won't get paid for another 3 weeks. Your hiring manager could help support your argument. You are also allowed to bring witnesses to your hearing who might support your arguments. Talk to them ahead of time and make sure they're willing to come and speak on your behalf.

Speak to your caseworker about your case file. Call your caseworker and make an appointment to come and speak with you. They can explain their decision and may give you tips on documents you could produce to change their decision. Even though you're appealing the decision, don't think of the caseworker as your enemy. If you are polite and understanding with them, they'll be more inclined to help you in any way they can. If you don't understand something, ask questions to get clarification. Make sure you understand why your application was denied and the information the caseworker used when making that decision.

Attend a pre-hearing conference to discuss your case. Your benefits office may hold a pre-hearing conference to attempt to come to an agreement about your case before the full hearing. Typically, this conference will be held at the benefits office. Your caseworker and their immediate supervisor will likely be there. Your caseworker will go through your case file and the reasons they made their decision. If you have any additional documents or information, you can bring those to the conference. At the conference, your caseworker or their immediate supervisor may decide to approve your benefits. If this happens, you won't have to go to the full appeals hearing.

Find out when your appeals hearing is scheduled. If nothing changes after the pre-hearing conference, you'll get written notice letting you know when your appeals hearing is scheduled. It may be at the benefits office or in another location. The notice will tell you where to go and when to be there. If you're not going to be able to make it to the hearing on the date scheduled, call the number on the notice as soon as possible and ask if it can be rescheduled. If you don't show up for your hearing, your appeal will be denied.

Participate in your appeals hearing. Your hearing will be before a hearing officer, who is kind of like a judge. Treat the hearing officer with the same respect you would a judge in a courtroom. You can present evidence and make your argument as to why you're entitled to benefits. Your caseworker will be there as well, representing the benefits office. You can also call any witnesses who've come with you and can talk about issues related to your appeal. If you call a witness, the caseworker and the hearing officer may also have questions for them. While an appeals hearing is less formal than a courtroom trial, you should dress, speak, and act as though you are in a courtroom setting. The hearing officer and caseworker will appreciate it.Tip: If you're nervous about appearing and speaking at the hearing on your own behalf, you can have someone else speak for you. That person doesn't have to be a lawyer. However, you may also be able to get free legal assistance at your local legal aid office.

Wait for a decision from the hearing officer. The hearing officer may let you know if they've decided to reverse the caseworker's decision at the end of the hearing. They may also want to look at your case file and other materials some more before they make a decision. You will receive a written decision in the mail that outlines the hearing officer's decision and their reasons for making that decision. If the hearing officer decided that you are eligible for benefits, the decision notice will let you know the amount of benefits you'll receive and when you'll receive them. If the hearing officer agreed with the caseworker, your notice will include information on how to appeal that decision. Typically, you can do this by filing a lawsuit in your local court. Because court rules can be complex, it's a good idea to talk to an attorney before you do this. Most attorneys provide a free initial consultation and you may be able to find a legal aid attorney who will help you at no charge.