WHAT ARE SNAP BENEFITS?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, is a federally funded program that provides nutritional assistance to low income individuals and families.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
- SNAP benefits are provided to the household
- For SNAP purposes, a household includes everyone who lives, buys groceries, and eats together
- Once an application is approved, you will receive an ACCESS Oklahoma Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which will allow you to purchase SNAP-approved items
- You will receive notices detailing how long you have been approved for SNAP and when you need to re-certify
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
You Must:
- Be a U.S. citizen/document person*
- Meet work requirements
- Be working/participating in a work program for at least 20hrs./wk.
- Meet income standards
- Have the social security numbers of all members of the SNAP household
NON-CITIZENS
In order for non-citizens to receive SNAP, you must have:
- Lived in U.S. for 5+ years; or receive disability-related assistance or benefits; or be under 18 years of age; and
- Provide documents that show lawful immigration status
FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
- You must meet both gross and net income limits unless your household includes elderly or disabled member(s)
- Gross income = household’s total income before deductions
- Net income = gross income minus allowable deductions
- To receive SNAP, you must have <$2,250 in countable resources (cash/bank account) or $3,500 if (60+ or disabled)
WORK REQUIREMENTS
If you are between the ages of 18 and 50 and are able bodied, there are work requirements.
To meet these requirements, you must either:
- Register for work; or
- Not quit/reduce hours; or
- Accept job offers; or
- Participate in employment & training programs
- Adults without dependents must either work or participate in a work program for at least 20-30 hrs./wk.
Exemptions to these requirements:
- Those taking care of children 6 or under or an incapacitated person
- Those regularly participating in drug/alcohol treatment program
- Those studying in school or training programs at least half time
- Children
- Seniors
- Pregnant women
- People exempt for physical/mental health reason