If I am denied SNAP benefits, can I ask 

why?

Yes. Call or visit the local SNAP office to 

ask why. If you wish, ask to speak with 

the local SNAP worker’s boss. If you 

think there is a mistake, ask for a “fair 

hearing” as soon as possible. This means 

that a State person will meet with you 

and the local SNAP office to discuss your 

application. There is no cost for 

a fair hearing.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I get SNAP 

benefits? Can my children?

You may get SNAP benefits if you are a 

legal immigrant. Most legal immigrants 

must wait 5 years before getting SNAP 

benefits. There is no wait for children 

under 18. There is no wait for some 

elderly and disabled. There is no wait 

for refugees and asylees. Some legal 

immigrants may get SNAP benefits if 

they have enough work history, and some 

may be eligible if they have a military 

connection.

If you are not eligible due to immigration 

status, your legal immigrant or citizen 

children may still qualify. You do not 

have to provide immigration information 

about yourself when you apply for your 

legal immigrant or citizen children.

If I get SNAP benefits, will I be a “public 

charge”?

No. You and your family can apply 

for and receive SNAP benefits without 

hurting your chances of becoming U.S. 

citizens. 
You want the best for your family. You 

want everyone to stay well and for your 

kids to grow and learn. Using SNAP 

benefits to purchase healthy foods for your 

family can help make this happen. Ask 

your SNAP worker for information about 

eating and shopping for healthy food and 

getting physical activity for better health. 

Try these tips to help your family eat 

better and stay healthy:

 Vary your vegetables...dark green, 

orange, peas and beans.

 Focus on fruits. Choose fresh, 

frozen, canned, or dried fruit.

 Eat at least 3 ounces of whole-grain 

cereal, breads, crackers, rice, or 

pasta every day.. 

 Choose lean meats and milk 

products that are lower in fat.

 Make physical activity a regular 

part of your day. 

How can my family eat better?
Call for more information about SNAP in your State.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is available nationwide

by dialing 711 on any telephone.

* Indicates numbers are for in-State calls only. 

 All other numbers are for in-State and out-of-State callers.

334-242-1700

907-465-3347

800-352-8401

800-482-8988

877-847-3663

800-536-5298* or 303-866-3122

800-842-1508

800 464-4357

202-724-5506

866-762-2237 

800-869-1150 

671-735-7245 

808-643-1643 

211 or 800-926-2588

800-843-6154

800-622-4932

877-347-5678

888-369-4777

800-372-2973

888-524-3578

800-442-6003

800-332-6347

866-950-3663

855-ASK-MICH or 855-275-6424

800-657-3698

800-948-3050

800-392-1261

800-332-2272* 

800-383-4278

800-992-0900 

800-852-3345 x4238* or 603-271-4238

800-687-9512* 

888-473-3676

800-342-3009

877-472-8411 or 311 

800-662-7030

800-755-2716* or 701-328-2328 

866-244-0071

405-521-3444 

211* or 800-723-3638

800-692-7462 or 800-451-5886 (TDD)

877-991-0101*

401-462-5300 

800-768-5700

877-999-5612

866-311-4287

211* or 512-973-9203 option 2

866-526-3663

800-479-6151

340-774-2399

800-552-3431

877-501-2233

800-642-8589 

800-362-3002

800-457-3659* or 307-777-5846

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Washington, DC

Florida

Georgia

Guam

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

 New York: Upstate

New York City

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

U.S. Virgin Islands

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming
.

.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Attach contact information label here

United States Department of Agriculture

Food and Nutrition Service

FNS-313

Slightly revised December 2011

Where can I get more information about 

SNAP in my State?

 Locate your State phone number.

 Call the toll-free national SNAP information line 

at 1-800-221-5689. 

 Visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap/outreach/map.htm.

 Look in the phone book in the government 

pages under “social services” or “human 

services” for the phone number.
Supplemental

Nutrition 

Assistance

Program

1-800-221-5689

www.fns.usda.gov/snap
What is SNAP?

SNAP helps low-income people buy the 

food they need for good health. SNAP 

benefits are not cash. SNAP benefits are 

provided on an electronic card that is used 

like an ATM or bank card to buy food at 

most grocery stores.

Can I get SNAP benefits?

To get SNAP benefits, your income and 

other resources have to be under certain 

limits.

Income

There are two income limits: Gross and 

Net. Your total income, before taxes or 

any other subtractions, is called gross 

income. However, certain subtractions 

to your gross income, called deductions, 

are allowed. These can be for things like 

housing costs, child support payments, 

child or dependent care payments, and 

monthly medical expenses over $35 for 
elderly or disabled people. The amount 

left over after these deductions is called 

net income. 

Most households must meet both income 

limits. If everyone in your household 

receives Supplemental Security Income 

(SSI) or Temporary Assistance for Needy 

Families (TANF), you do not need to meet 

any income limit.

A separate insert with two tables on it 

has been included with this booklet. Look 

at the income table to see what the limits 

are for SNAP benefits.

Resources

Talk with your local SNAP worker to 

see what resources you have and the 

maximum amount of resources you 

can have and still qualify for SNAP. 

Checking or savings accounts are 

resources. If you own your home, it is not 

counted as a resource. In some States, 

you may have at least one car. The 

resources of people who receive TANF or 

SSI do not count. 
 You apply for benefits by completing 

a State application form. There are 

several ways to get an application 

form:

 Pick it up at a local SNAP office, or

 Call the local SNAP office. Ask 

the local SNAP worker to mail it to 

you, or

 Ask the SNAP worker if there are 

other places where you can pick up 

the form, or

 Print the form from your State’s 

Web site at www.fns.usda.gov/

snap/outreach/map.htm, or

 Apply online (this is not yet 

available in all States).

 Fill out the SNAP application form as 

much as you can. If you need help, 

ask the local SNAP worker. You can 

also ask a friend or people who work 

at places like legal services or food 

banks to help you fill out the form. 

Get the application form to your local 

SNAP office as soon as possible by 

taking it to the local SNAP office, 

mailing or faxing it, or by submitting 

it online if your State provides this 

option.

How do I apply fo
 If you pick up your application form 

at a SNAP office, put your name and 

street address on the form and sign it. 

Leave that part of the form (usually 

the first page) at the SNAP office. 

This starts the process and helps you 

get healthy food sooner, if you are 

eligible. Take the rest of the form 

with you to fill out later. 

 Before leaving the office, make an 

appointment for an interview with a 

SNAP worker. If you are at a SNAP 

office, ask the SNAP worker to write 

down what you need to bring to the 

interview. If you are calling for an 

appointment, ask the SNAP worker 

what you need to bring.

 Have an interview. You can also have 

a friend or relative go with you or 

in your place, or you can request an 

interview over the phone.

 Show the local SNAP office papers like 

pay stubs, rent or mortgage payments, 

utility bills, child or elder care bills, 

and child support payments. The local 

office can tell you exactly what other 

information you will need.

 After reviewing your application, the 

local SNAP worker will tell you if you 

qualify for SNAP benefits and, if so, 

how much you will get.

r SNAP benefits?
Do I need a Social Security number?

Yes, you must have or apply for a Social 

Security number if you want SNAP 

benefits. People who do not want to apply 

for SNAP benefits do not have to give a 

Social Security number, but they do have 

to give their financial information.

Can I get SNAP benefits if I am not 

working?

Yes. But if you are able to work, you must 

look for work, take a job, or go to training.

If I am approved, what can I expect?

You will get an electronic card, similar to 

a bank card or ATM card, to use to buy 

food at most grocery stores.