SNAP emergency relief assistance
Sometimes, we find ourselves needing a helping hand. SNAP emergency relief assistance does just that. The federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps families in need across the country get access to the food they require via monthly benefits to supplement their grocery budgets. During a government shutdown, however, these benefits can be significantly delayed, leaving families hungry.
If you need SNAP emergency relief assistance, know that there is help available. In cases like these, you can apply for emergency SNAP and receive help within seven days. You can also reach out to your local community for help—read on to learn how.
What is emergency SNAP relief assistance?
Emergency SNAP benefits, also known as Expedited SNAP or Expedited Food Assistance, are there for you if you need them. This program is specifically designed to deliver help within seven days or less to households with little money for food.
You can apply for emergency SNAP in the event of a government shutdown or other type of disaster that has left you without a budget for food—we’ll dive deeper into the eligibility criteria in the next section. Emergency SNAP works through your local state government, so you’ll need to apply with your local office. You’ll need to do an interview as part of the application process, whether it’s over the phone or in person.
Just like regular SNAP benefits, emergency SNAP benefits are issued via your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, and you can use them at approved retailers along with your PIN.
Who qualifies for emergency SNAP benefits?
Keep in mind that SNAP and emergency SNAP have different eligibility criteria.
To apply for regular SNAP, you must meet the following:
- Your gross monthly income must be at or below 130% of the federal poverty line, and your net monthly income must be below 100% of the poverty line.
- Your assets (excluding property ownership and pensions) are valued at $3,000 or less.
- You must meet work requirements, typically working at least 80 hours per month.
- You are a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
- You have or have applied for a Social Security Number.
The requirements to receive emergency SNAP are a little different, as this tends to be more short-term assistance. You can apply for emergency SNAP in the event of a government shutdown or other type of financial emergency, such as job loss or homelessness.
For emergency SNAP, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- Your monthly income is less than $150, and your bank balance is less than $100.
- Your income and your bank balance add up to less than your housing costs.
- You’re a migrant worker with less than $100 in your bank account.
How emergency SNAP works
You’ll need to apply for emergency SNAP through your local SNAP office, the same way you would for regular SNAP. You’ll have to do an interview, but it can be done over the phone or in person. Emergency SNAP applications are approved or denied within a few days—in fact, if you’re approved, you must receive the benefits within seven days of submitting your application.
If you’re already receiving regular SNAP benefits, your emergency funds will be issued to your same EBT card that you normally use. If you’re not receiving SNAP benefits already, a new card will be issued to you.
What you can buy with emergency SNAP benefits
When you receive emergency SNAP benefits, the same rules of regular SNAP typically apply; you can only purchase eligible items from approved retailers. The following items can be bought with your benefits:
- Fruits and veggies (fresh, canned, dried, and frozen are all fine)
- Meat, fish, and poultry
- Dairy products
- Cereals and breads
- Snacks and seasonings
- Seeds and plants that produce food
- Non-alcoholic drinks
Items that can’t be bought with SNAP benefits include the following:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Cigarettes and tobacco
- Food and beverages with CBD or other controlled substances
- Live animals
- Supplements, vitamins, and medication
- Food that is hot at the point of purchase
- Any other non-food items
Whether you’re shopping in-store or online, all you have to do is use your EBT card, which functions like a debit card, and enter your PIN. Your benefits can be used at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and online for grocery delivery.
What to do if your emergency SNAP application is denied
Not all SNAP emergency relief assistance applications are approved. To avoid this, first make sure you’re eligible when you apply. There are a few common reasons why your SNAP application might be denied:
- Your income exceeds the limits required for emergency relief.
- You failed to provide the required verification, such as income, expenses, or identity.
- You didn’t complete the required interview.
- You failed to cooperate with your caseworker by not returning calls/emails or providing extra requested documentation.
If your application is denied, don’t panic. The first thing to do is read the denial letter carefully, as it will explain why your application was denied. You can then call your local office to clarify the reason if something is unclear.
If, after taking these steps, you still feel your application was wrongly denied, you can appeal the decision by requesting a fair hearing. This, however, may take longer than you have, as it will significantly delay receiving your benefits. You can also submit another application with the required information, which may be faster than a hearing.
What to do if you lose emergency SNAP benefits due to a government shut down
SNAP benefits can indeed be impacted by government shutdowns. If Congress didn’t pass funding before the shutdown, for example, payments of these benefits could be significantly delayed or even partially reduced.
Applying for emergency SNAP, however, should get you the help you need quickly, despite delays due to government shutdowns. SNAP emergency funds do exist, so you can still get your monthly benefits quickly for the duration of the shutdown. It may, however, be a little less than your normal SNAP benefits in some cases.
If you lose your SNAP or emergency SNAP benefits due to a shutdown, there are steps you can take to make sure you can still get food in your family’s belly.
- First, make sure you have the right paperwork. If you receive regular SNAP benefits, collect any information or documentation you have relating to those. You’ll also need proof of income, bills from your housing expenses, and identity or citizenship documents. Then, you can contact your local SNAP office to see what your options are. They can help you fill out your emergency application or appeal a decision you don’t agree with.
- Your next option is to turn to your local community for help. Contact local food banks or churches to see if they can assist in any way. You may also choose to get involved with a local nonprofit or sign up for meal programs. To find organizations that can help in your area, call 211 or reach out online and get a complete list.
- Finally, you can look at starting a fundraiser on GoFundMe and sharing it with your community via social media. Starting a fundraiser allows you to get the help you need quickly—people can donate directly to your page, and you have access to the funds immediately. Once you withdraw any donations, it may take a few business days to show up in your account, but then it’s free for you to use.
Getting support SNAP emergency funds
Emergency SNAP is there for you quickly and in case of emergencies, but you need to make sure you’re eligible before applying, and you must be willing to provide the necessary information for your application to get approved. Make sure you understand exactly how it works and how you can use your benefits once you have them.
Emergency SNAP, however, is not the only option you have if you need immediate help. You can reach out to local food banks, churches, or other nonprofit organizations that can donate food or money to your cause. You can also consider crowdfunding with platforms like GoFundMe—if you tell your story and open up to your community, you’ll be surprised how quickly people are willing to help when you need it most.