Do you know that the USDA Food and Nutrition Service offers an Emergency Food Stamps Program for families or individuals that are facing a crisis? This is to help expedite the application process for those households that have no other options available to them. So, in this case, beneficiaries of this service may be able to receive their food stamps in a shorter period of time.
What is Emergency Food Stamps/SNAP?
In case you don’t know, they are SNAP benefits that are issued more quickly than normal. It is issued to you within 7 days after you apply for SNAP. They are not extra SNAP they are just a way to get you your first month’s SNAP faster. Emergency SNAP is also know “expedited” SNAP.
How Can I Get Emergency SNAP?
You can be eligible to get emergency SNAP if your income and savings are low enough. DTA must screen you to see if you can get them.
You may be able to get emergency SNAP benefits (also called expedited SNAP benefits) if:
- You have earned or received less than $150 for the month and you have $100 or less in cash and savings.
- You are a migrant household with $100 or less in cash and savings.
- The cost of your rent plus utilities is more than your gross monthly income plus your cash and savings.
Before you apply, you must meet the qualifications criteria. And these can be changed based on the state and also the USDA may also modify the regulations. This is why it’s very important to first, call a local social service office for the latest information. However, it only take 7 days for each state to review and either approve or deny an application.
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How much assistance is offered from expedited SNAP program?
The amount of assistance available from the emergency SNAP program is very limited. So the Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT) will only be loaded with enough money to last for about 1 month. This time-frame will allow the family time to seek other support.
Emergency SNAP benefits are given for one month only. After that, you must fill out a full application for regular SNAP. Most of the people that use the expedited service will just be rolled over onto the long term SNAP program at the end of one month. Even when applying for this longer term regular benefit, the application will need to be reviewed within 30 days. If the application is approved, the family will be notified of how much money they will be allocated each month.
For more details on emergency SNAP or food stamps, just call 1-800-221-5689. The line is available 24/7. Or to learn more about applying for SNAP in an emergency, call a local social service office in your town or state.
Remember to share this article with friends on social media, as it will help to stop a family from going hungry and also make a big difference in the lives of someone that is truly struggling and facing a crisis.
