1

People of all 

ages (everyone, 

singles and families, 

employed or 

unemployed) 

Go to page 2 to learn about 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance 

Program (SNAP), The Emergency 

Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), 

and Food Help for Disaster Relief.

Babies, children 

under age 5, and 

women who have 

recently had a baby, 

are pregnant, or are 

breastfeeding

Go to page 6 to learn about Special 

Supplemental Nutrition Program for 

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), 

WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 

(FMNP), and Commodity Supplemental 

Food Program (CSFP).

Children from 

kindergarten 

to 12th grade 

Go to page 8 to learn about School 

Meals Programs and Summer Food 

Service Program (SFSP).

Seniors age 60 

and over 

Go to page 10 to learn about Senior 

Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program 

(SFMNP) and Commodity Supplemental 

Food Program (CSFP).

American Indians 

Go to pages 4, 6, and 11 to learn about 

Food Distribution Program on Indian 

Reservations (FDPIR) and Commodity 

Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has many programs to help 

people get food. We want you to know what help there is. 

We grouped the programs in this booklet by the people they can help. 

Immigrants can get food help from all of these programs. SNAP 

asks for documents to prove citizenship or legal presence in the U.S. 

The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs do not 

require documents, but States may choose to require documents for 

other programs. If you need help for:

Want to learn more about how to eat healthy? Go to page 12.

If you need food help today,

call 1-866-348-6479 (1-866-3-HUNGRY)

This is the National Hunger Hotline. 

The hotline staff can help you find food 

near where you live. It’s a free call. You can 

call Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 

and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., 

Eastern Time. 

If you need help during other hours, visit

www.WhyHunger.org/nhc. Click on 

Resources and choose Resource Directory

from the drop-down menu. Then scroll down 

and click on Get Help.

How To Get Food Help
2 3

For People of All Ages

SNAP

(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

This was called the Food Stamp Program before. SNAP is the national 

program name. Some States may call it something else.

What the Program Does

With SNAP, you get an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. 

You use it like a debit card to buy food at the grocery store. 

SNAP puts benefits on this card once a month. SNAP also has 

programs to help you learn to eat healthy and be active.

Who Can Apply

SNAP is for people and families with low incomes. Anyone

can apply. If you qualify, you will receive SNAP. The amount

depends on your income, your expenses, and your family size.

If you are an immigrant, you have to prove you have legal status 

to apply for SNAP. Getting SNAP will not hurt your chances 

to become a citizen if you are documented. You may have a 

waiting period before you can get SNAP. 

Here are some immigrants that may be able to get SNAP 

without having to wait:

• Documented immigrant children under age 18

• Refugees

• Elderly and disabled

Your children may be able to get SNAP even if you cannot. 

The application is in your children’s names, not yours. Learn 

more for the sake of your children! 

The amount of SNAP you get depends on: 

• How much money you have 

• How many are in your family

• Some of your expenses 

If you qualify, you get your benefits within 30 days after you 

apply. If you have little or no money, please let your SNAP 

worker know. You may be able to get help sooner.

To Learn More About SNAP

Call 1-800-221-5689, or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap. 

TEFAP

(The Emergency Food Assistance Program) 

What the Program Does

TEFAP gives food to food banks in every State. Then the food 

banks give food to soup kitchens and food pantries. You may be 

able to eat at local soup kitchens. You may also be able to take 

food home from local pantries or have food delivered to you.

Who Can Apply

Each State has its own rules about who can get food at soup 

kitchens and food pantries. Also, not all areas in each State offer 

TEFAP. Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479 

to find out about soup kitchens and pantries in your area. Then 

call the soup kitchen or food pantry in your area to find out 

who can apply. 

To Learn More About TEFAP

Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-348-6479. You can 

also visit www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/programs/tefap.
4 5

FDPIR 

(Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations)

American Indians are eligible for all nutrition programs, 

including SNAP and WIC. But you cannot get both SNAP 

and FDPIR.

What the Program Does

With FDPIR, you can get a package of USDA Foods to take 

home once a month.

Who Can Apply

People with low incomes living on Indian reservations 

can apply. In some areas, Native Americans who live near 

reservations may also apply. If you receive FDPIR, you cannot 

receive SNAP. 

To Learn More About FDPIR

Call your Tribal Organization to learn more or to apply. 

To find out the phone number of the Tribal contact in 

your State, call 1-866-348-6479. You can also visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/fdpir-contacts.htm. 

Food Help for Disaster Relief

What the Program Does

This program helps people get food when there is a hurricane, 

earthquake, or other disaster. You may be able to get meals at 

local shelters and soup kitchens. You may also be able to get 

food to use at home or receive a Disaster SNAP card to shop 

for food. 

Who Can Apply

If you live in an area affected by a disaster, you may be able to 

get this help. 

To Learn More About Disaster Relief

Call your State hotline to see if your area is giving this help. 

The staff can tell you how to get help. To find out what 

your State’s hotline number is, call 1-866-348-6479 or visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm. 
6 7

For Babies, Young Children, and Women 

Who Have Recently Had a Baby, Are 

Pregnant, or Are Breastfeeding

WIC

(Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for 

Women, Infants, and Children)

What the Program Does

Each month, WIC provides a voucher or coupon. You use it 

to buy foods that will help you and your children eat healthy. 

You can also learn about healthy eating, get support to help 

you breastfeed your baby, and find out about healthcare and 

other services. In some States WIC is using Electronic Benefit 

Transfer (EBT) cards. In these States, you use an EBT card, like 

a debit card, to buy food at the grocery store.

Who Can Apply

You can apply for WIC if you have a low income and have 

recently had a baby, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, or if 

you have children up to 5 years old. You may be able to get 

WIC even if you do not qualify for SNAP. 

To Learn More About WIC

Call your local health department or, to find out where 

to apply in your State, visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/statealpha.HTM 

WIC FMNP 

(Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program)

Some States offer FMNP. It gives you coupons you can use to 

shop at farmers’ markets or roadside produce stands. You can 

buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Women and children 

receiving WIC or who are on a waiting list for WIC can apply 

for this program.

To Learn More About WIC FMNP

To find out if your State offers FMNP in your community, 

ask your local WIC office or visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/Contacts/farm.HTM to find out who to contact 

in your State. 

CSFP 

(Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

What the Program Does

Some States offer CSFP in some areas. With CSFP, you can get 

a food package to take home once a month.

Who Can Apply

Pregnant women, mothers of babies, and families with children 

up to age 6 who have a low income can apply. But you must live 

in an area that offers CSFP. You may not apply if you are on 

WIC. You may apply if you are on SNAP.

To Learn More About CSFP

Visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/sdacontacts.htm or call 

1-866-348-6479 to find your State CSFP contact.
8 9

For Children From Kindergarten 

to 12th Grade

School Meals Programs

There are many school meals programs. They include the 

National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, 

the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, and others. 

What the Programs Do

In the National School Lunch Program, children can get free 

or lower price lunches at school. Some schools also serve 

breakfast, after-school snacks, fresh fruits and vegetables, and 

summer meals. 

Who Can Apply

Families with children in grade school through high school can 

apply. If you get help from SNAP, your children will get free or 

lower price school breakfasts and lunches. But you may qualify 

even if you are not in one of these programs. 

To Learn More About the School Meals Programs

Ask someone at the office of your child’s school what meal 

programs they offer and how to apply. You can also visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd. 

SFSP 

(Summer Food Service Program)

What the Program Does

Some schools, summer camps, churches, and community 

groups serve free breakfasts and lunches to children during 

the summer. 

Who Can Apply

Meals are served to any child age 18 and younger who 

comes to eat. But some camps and clubs serve only children 

in their programs.

To Learn More About SFSP

To find where summer meals are in your area, call your 

State’s phone number. You can find out this phone 

number by calling 1-866-348-6479. You can also visit 

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/summer. 
10 11

For Seniors

SFMNP 

(Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program) 

What the Program Does

Some States offer SFMNP. You can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, 

honey, and herbs. You can use the coupons at farmers’ markets, 

roadside stands, and community programs that grow fruits 

and vegetables. 

Who Can Apply

People age 60 or older with low incomes can apply.

To Learn More About SFMNP

To find out if the SFMNP is available in your community, 

visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/SeniorFMNP/SFMNPcontacts.htm to contact 

your State SFMNP office. If you get SNAP or CSFP, talk to 

someone in that office.

CSFP 

(Commodity Supplemental Food Program)

What the Program Does 

Some States offer CSFP. With CSFP, you can get a monthly 

food package to take home.

Who Can Apply

Seniors age 60 and older may apply. But you must live in an area 

that offers CSFP.

To Learn More About CSFP

Visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/sdacontacts.htm or call 

1-866-348-6479 to find your State CSFP contact.
12 13

Web Sites About Eating Right, Making a 

Food Budget, and Staying Active

• MyPyramid: This site helps you create your own plan for a 

healthy, active life. http://www.mypyramid.gov

• SNAP-Ed Connection: This site has meal ideas, recipes, and 

tips on buying healthier foods. http://snap.nal.usda.gov

• Recipe Finder: This site has over 600 low-cost, healthy 

recipes. http://recipefinder.nal.usda.gov 

• Team Nutrition: This site can help schools and other 

groups teach kids about eating and living healthy. 

http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/team.html

The U.S. Government 

has many programs to 

help people get food. 

We want you to know 

what help there is. 
14

For More Information:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food and Nutrition Service

Office of Strategic Initiatives, 

Partnerships and Outreach

3101 Park Center Drive

Alexandria, VA 22302

http://www.fns.usda.gov

E-mail: outreach@fns.usda.gov

Novmber 2010

FNS-416 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs 

and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is 

derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 

(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 

Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or

(202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.