If you don’t know, you can get Free Food from a government Food Assistance. Known as SNAP – Food stamps can help you if you have a low income.
The name SNAP means: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and it’s a federal nutrition program.
This free food benefit will help you to buy food if you have a low income, it’s a food stamp.
However, to get SNAP benefits, you need to apply in the state you live and you must meet some requirements.
That includes resource and income limits, you can learn more about it here, just keep reading.
Also, SNAP eligibility is available for elderly (60 years or older) and disabled people.
Learn more about it:
What you can buy with the Food Assistance
You can buy food using the benefits that you’re gonna receive every month.
So you can use your SNAP Food Assistance benefits to buy a variety of foods for you and your family, like:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Breads and cereals
- Dairy products
- Meat, fish and poultry
How much you can receive from SNAP benefits
The amount you and your household receive each month is called an allotment.
First, is considered that SNAP households usually spend about 30% of their own resources on food.
Then each SNAP allotment is is calculated by multiplying your household’s net monthly income by 0.3.
And then subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
See what’s SNAP maximum monthly allotment based on household size:
| People in Household | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,190 |
| 7 | $1,316 |
| 8 | $1,504 |
| Each additional person | +$188 |
See how works the calculation:
Multiply net income by 30% then subtract 30% of liquid income from the maximum allotment in the household size.
Now see an example:
$1,106 net monthly income x 0.3 = 331.80 (round up to $332)
$835 maximum allotment for 4-person household – $332(30% of net income) = $503 >> So this is the SNAP allotment for a full month.
How’s SNAP benefit paid?
If you are eligible and get the benefit, you will receive the SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
The amount will be loaded in your card each month.
The card works as debit card, so you can use it to buy food/groceries at authorized food stores.
Learn if you are eligible for SNAP
The government has some requirements to determine if you are eligible for free food with the SNAP benefits.
So it’s calculate based on your resources, such as money in the bank, to decide if you qualify for SNAP.
How long you can receive SNAP
If you are eligible, you will get a notice that will tell you how long you’ll receive SNAP benefits for.
This notice is called certification period.
So, before your period ends, you’ll get a notice saying that you must recertify to continue receiving the benefits.
Don’t worry, your local SNAP office will provide you all information about how to do that.
How to apply for SNAP Food Assistance
To apply, you need to contact your state agency by visiting a local SNAP office, on the website or calling at their free hotline.
Don’t miss out, learn more about free food benefits from SNAP and how to apply.
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