SNAP (food assistance, formerly known as "food stamps")

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal benefit loaded onto an EBT card each month for grocery shopping by low-income households. The program is federal, but applications are handled by the states. In July 2025, the rules were narrowed for immigrants. On this page, you will find who may qualify, income and work requirements, the application process step by step, state application pages, and the public charge warning.

• Narrowed by the July 2025 law (H.R. 1, Public Law 119-21). Noncitizens who may receive SNAP are now limited to:
  • green card holders
  • Cuban and Haitian entrants
  • citizens of countries covered by the COFA agreements
• Tourists, students, and people who are temporarily present are explicitly excluded.
• Refugees and asylees without a green card are not included in the new list.
• Additional requirements for green card holders also apply. A green card holder may qualify for SNAP if they are in one of these situations:
  • having lived in the United States for 5 years in qualified alien status
  • having worked 40 quarters in the United States (provided they did not receive income-based federal assistance during quarters after 1996)
  • being under 18 years old
  • receiving assistance because of blindness or a disability
  • being an honorably discharged veteran or an active-duty service member, or being their spouse or child
• Mixed-status households: An ineligible member cannot be included in the household, but their income (with a proportional deduction depending on the state) and assets are considered when determining the household's eligibility and benefit amount. Children who are U.S. citizens may still qualify.
• Implementation may vary by state and ongoing litigation. Ask your state's SNAP office.

• Income limits:
  • Gross income: 130% of the federal poverty level
  • Net income (after deductions): 100% of the poverty level
  • If someone in the household is elderly or disabled, only the net income limit is considered.
  • Some households are considered eligible without applying these limits because of another benefit (categorical eligibility).
  • Dollar amounts are updated every year on October 1. Learn the current figures from your state's SNAP page or the office where you apply.
• Household size, health, and disability status also affect eligibility.
• Students: People enrolled in higher education at least half-time may not qualify for SNAP in some situations.
• Work requirement (able-bodied adults without dependents, ABAWD):
  • These individuals may receive SNAP for a maximum of 3 months within 3 years if they do not meet the work requirement.
  • Work requirement: working an average of 20 hours per week, or 80 hours per month, or participating in a work program.
  • Exceptions changed under the July 2025 law. Those exempt from the requirement include: people under 18 and over 65, people who are medically unable to work, people responsible for a child under 14 in the household, pregnant people, and certain other groups.
• SSN: Even in expedited processing, every applicant is required to provide an SSN or apply for one before the second full month of participation.

1. Find your state's SNAP office. Your state or county office accepts applications (see the list below).
2. Apply. Depending on your state, you may apply online, in person, by mail, or by fax.
   • You have the right to apply the same day. You can submit a form on the day you contact the office.
   • An application is accepted even if the form contains only your name, address, and signature. You do not have to wait until the interview to apply.
   • The application date is the date on which the time limits begin. Therefore, apply immediately even if the application is incomplete.
3. Attend the interview. An interview is conducted for the initial application and at least every 12 months. The state may conduct the interview by phone.
4. Submit documents. The household's gross income and the status of immigrant members are verified after applying. Status is checked through the immigration verification system (SAVE).
5. Wait for the decision. The state must make a decision and start benefits within 30 days of the application.
6. Expedited service: The following households receive an EBT card and PIN within 7 days:
   • households with monthly gross income below $150 and cash or bank assets not exceeding $100
   • households whose monthly gross income plus cash assets is less than their rent or mortgage plus utilities
   • destitute migrant or seasonal farmworker households with cash assets not exceeding $100
7. Use your EBT card. Benefits are loaded onto the EBT card each month. The card can be used to buy bread, cereal, fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, and seeds for growing food. It cannot be used to buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, medicine, cleaning and paper products, pet food, or hot prepared meals.
8. Check your balance: on your grocery receipt or through your state's mobile application.

• New York — Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA)
  • Online application and renewal: mybenefits.ny.gov
  • A printed form may be downloaded and mailed or faxed to the local social services office.
  • Phone: +1 800 342 3009 (weekdays 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
• New Jersey — Department of Human Services
  • Eligibility pre-screening and application: NJHelps. The application takes approximately 20–45 minutes.
• Texas — Health and Human Services (HHS)
  • Application: YourTexasBenefits.com
  • Phone: 2-1-1 or +1 877 541 7905
• Florida — Department of Children and Families (DCF)
  • Information and eligibility: myflfamilies.com – SNAP
• Pennsylvania — Department of Human Services (DHS)
  • Application: COMPASS; online, in person, or by mail.
  • Helpline: +1 800 692 7462 (for people with hearing impairments: +1 800 451 5886)
• Massachusetts — Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA)
  • Online account and application: DTA Connect
• Other states: Contact your local office through the USDA SNAP state directory or USAGov's list of state social services agencies.

• Public charge: Since September 18, 2026, any means-tested public benefit may be considered in visa and green card applications. SNAP is also a means-tested benefit. Benefits received before September 18, 2026, are evaluated under the former rule. See 16.5.
• Sponsor income: If Form I-864 was signed for you, the sponsor's income and assets, and those of the sponsor's spouse if the spouse signed I-864A, are counted as your income and assets. This counting continues until you become a citizen, reach 40 work quarters, or the sponsor dies.
• Status inquiry: If an immigrant member does not want their status to be checked with USCIS, the household may withdraw the application or participate without that member.

• Assuming you qualify for SNAP after recently receiving a green card without checking the 5-year, 40-quarter, or age requirement.
• Assuming you are still eligible as a refugee or asylee without a green card.
• Delaying the application because the form is incomplete. You can start the processing period with your name, address, and signature.
• Missing the interview or forgetting the recertification date.
• If you are between 18 and 64 and have no children, not knowing about the work requirement and the 3-month limit.
• Trying to buy hot prepared meals or cleaning products with an EBT card.
• Applying without considering the public charge impact.

• I am an F-1 student. Can I receive SNAP? No. Students and people who are temporarily present are explicitly excluded.
• I have a green card, but I have not had it for 5 years. You may qualify if you are under 18, have worked 40 quarters, receive disability benefits, or have a military connection. Otherwise, you must wait until 5 years have passed.
• My children are U.S. citizens; can they receive SNAP? Yes, an application may be submitted for eligible members. Your income is considered in the household's calculation.
• How long will it take to get a decision? The state must make a decision within 30 days. Households with very low income and an emergency receive a card within 7 days.
• What is the income limit? It is 130% of the poverty level for gross income and 100% for net income. Dollar amounts are updated every year on October 1; check your state's SNAP page.
• Will receiving SNAP affect my green card application? Since September 18, 2026, means-tested benefits may be considered in the public charge assessment. Consult an attorney before applying.
• Can I have the interview by phone? States may conduct interviews by phone. You can request this if you face difficulties such as illness, transportation problems, or work hours.

• USDA – SNAP state directory
• USAGov – SNAP application and balance inquiry
• USAGov – State social services agencies
• New York – mybenefits.ny.gov
• New Jersey – NJHelps
• Texas – YourTexasBenefits.com
• Pennsylvania – COMPASS
• Massachusetts – DTA Connect
• Florida – Food Assistance Program fact sheet (PDF)
• eCFR – SNAP regulations, 7 CFR Part 273
• Full text of Public Law 119-21 (govinfo)