How to Get Food Stamps Fast (Now SNAP)

The food stamp program, now under the program Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is designed to help families in need by providing assistance getting basic nutritional requirements. Most commonly referred to as "food stamps", the program now actually uses a debit-like card to disperse benefits, and no longer uses the coupons ("stamps") it once did.

This article will show you how to get food stamps fast.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 1

   The first step to get food stamps fast is to figure out if you qualify.
   
   1. You must have, or apply for, a social security card for everyone in your household. (See resources section) Some aliens may be eligible.
   2. You must have less than $2000 in resources ($3000 if you have a family member over the age of 60). Resources includes things like savings, retirement, stocks and bonds. Resources do NOT include your home and car, and some other assets.
   3. If you are an able-bodied adult between the age of 18-60, you must be willing to work and/or participate in an employment or training program.

2. 2

   The fastest way to get food stamps is to qualify for emergency food stamps. To do so, you and your family must meet the following requirements:
   
   Your income and cash, including what you have in your bank account, must amount to less than the amount of your rent plus utilities OR your income is less than $150 a month and you have less than $100 cash OR you are a migrant or seasonal farm worker who has less than $100 in cash.
   
   If you meet those requirements, go into your local Department of Human Services (DHS)* office to apply. You will receive food stamps no more than seven days after applying. To continue to receive them, you will have to fill out a full application for food stamps.
   
   (DHS may also go by another name in your state, such as Department of Transitional Assistance or Department of Social Services.)

3. 3

   To get food stamps fast, you must submit a food stamp application. You can either fill one out online or fill one out and take or send it into your local DTA office.
   
   To fill out your food stamp application online:
   1. Go to your state's DTA office. You should be able to find it by running a search in the search engine of your choice. Just type in "food stamps" and your state.
   2. Once on your state's DTA website, there should be a link to fill out and submit an application. Go there.
   3. Most likely, you will do an eligibility screening before going on to the actual application. This tool will have you enter things like your income, resources, family household size.
   4. Once it is determined you are eligible, you will proceed to the application, and once that is complete, you will submit it online.
   
   To fill out a food stamp application in person, simply go to your local DTA office, request an application, and turn it in.

4. 4

   If you have submitted your food stamp application online, you will be sent an appointment sheet listing the time and location of your appointment with the DTA office. When you go to this appointment, you should bring in the following information, along with anything else they have suggested. Also, if you submit your application in person, you should bring the following with you in case you are seen that day.
   
   TIP: Be sure you are ON TIME to this appointment and COURTEOUS to the person helping you!
   
   Identification (driver's license, birth certificate, etc)
   Proof of income (such as pay stubs) for all members of your household
   Proof of money spent on child care
   Proof of rent/mortgage
   Proof of utilities

5. 5

   At your interview, you will be told whether or not you qualify for food stamps, how much you will get, and when you can expect to receive them.