HELPING HAND

Food stamps: how to apply and what is the income limit?

MILLIONS of low-income families continue to receive aid to help put food on the table.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps individuals and families by providing monthly benefits which can be used at a variety of approved retailers.

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SNAP ensures low-income families eat healthilyCredit: Getty Images - Getty

The federal program has been helping households facing tough times buy nutritious and healthy food.

There are 42million Americans getting SNAP benefits, according to the Department of Agriculture.

What is SNAP?

SNAP is often referred to as food stamps.

It provides families with a pre-loaded electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card which allows them buy food, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish bread and cereals.

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The benefits are loaded onto the EBT card monthly which can be used to buy groceries at more than 238,000 retailers nationwide.

You can find authorized stores accepting food stamps on the Department of Agriculture's SNAP retailer locator tool.

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Who can apply for food stamps?

You must apply for SNAP in the state where you currently live.

Each state has a different application form and process.

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Generally, SNAP is limited to people with gross incomes up to 130% of the federal poverty line.

This currently starts at $12,880 for a single-person household and increases depending on the family size.

For example, the poverty threshold for a four-person household is $26,500.

You can see poverty guidelines on the US Department of Health website.

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There are also other requirements that states can set, such as how much you have in your bank account.

In Michigan, for example, you must have a bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001.

Alternatively, if you live with someone aged 60 or over or a person with a disability, you can have a bank balance of $3,251.

How much can I get?

Recently SNAP benefits were given a permanent boost.

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On average, food stamps increased by $36 per person to $157 each month on October 1, 2021.

Now, how much you get in food stamps will also depend on family size and the state you live in.

For instance, under the new boost New York recipients get an additional $1,440 in SNAP benefits, which equals an extra $120 each month, according to the USDA.

A smaller state like Oregon gets an extra $337 in benefits – representing a little over $28 more per month.

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SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their own cash on food.

How to apply

You need to apply in the state where you live, which may be with your human services or social services center.

Find your local SNAP program and social services agency.

There is more support available during the pandemic such as extra SNAP funding and free school meals for all pupils until June 30, 2022.

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You can also contact the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) if you need immediate food assistance.

Struggling renters can get help with rent and bills for up to 18 months as part of emergency coronavirus support.

We also explain how to get help as other major Covid support measures come to an end.

Plus, we reveal how to get help worth $1,000s if you're struggling to pay household bills.

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