How to Check If Your Application for Food Stamps Was Approved.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was established with the aim of helping low-income households throughout the country to purchase groceries that will enable them to live a healthier lifestyle every day. As each state administers the snap program on a local level, the means of checking on an application is not the same. So once your application has been approved, you will definitely get a notice in your mail. But while you are waiting for the notification, you may as well check your status online, over the phone or in person.
Checking to know if your application for food stamp was approved requires you to provide your case number, and verify your identity by providing your personal information as reported on the application, which including
- Social Security number
- Full name
- Address
- Phone number.
How To Check If Your Application for Food Stamps Was Approved
1. Through Online Accounts: Provided you applied for food stamp online, you can simply log into the account to check the status of your snap benefit application. Let’s say you live in Florida for instance, you can register for a My ACCESS account which will allow you to apply for food stamp online and as well checks your benefit status at any point in time.
Also, the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services website has a My Account Page that provides up-to-date case status updates. Furthermore, in New York, the benefits tool provides users their most current benefit information, including case statuses and available SNAP benefit balances.
2. Call the Local Case Workers on Phone: You can call the local department in charge of administering public assistance benefits in your state either the Department of Children and Family Services or Health and Human Services.
If you received any notices in the mail, look for a phone number and the caseworker assigned to your case. Contact the caseworker or call the information hotline and ask about the status of your application.
SEE ALSO: Frequently Asked Questions During Food Stamp Interviews
Probably, you may walk to your local public assistance or social services office to discuss your case in person. You can locate a SNAP office by visiting the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services website to see the office closest to you.
Food Stamp Application Processing Times
Provided your application status is pending, it simply means your application is still being processed. SNAP applications can take 30 days to process. But Expedited or emergency SNAP benefits may be available if your household is in immediate need. Requirements for expedited benefits vary, but usually, the household must have less than $100 in the bank and a monthly income of $150 or less. Expedited applications are processed within 7 days.
Once your application has been successfully processed, you’ll receive a notice in the mail either approving or denying your request for benefits. But if approved for benefits, the letter will include a monthly benefit amount.
Benefits are deposited onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card monthly. Depending on your state, you may receive an EBT card before your application is approved. Although you may get your card in the mail right away, you won’t have any benefits on the card until your application is processed.
