SNAP Benefits Duration: What to Know About Receiving Food Stamps

Over 50 million people in the United States get help from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). People who get SNAP benefits or people who are thinking about getting them may be wondering how long they can keep them.

Don’t forget that you will need to recertify for benefits if you want to keep getting SNAP help after your certification time ends.

Don’t stress about remembering it. The SNAP office near you should send you a packet a few weeks before your certification time ends. There will be detailed directions in this packet on how to recertify.

A lot of states have made it easier for families with older adults to get recertified. Most likely, you won’t have to do a recertification interview if everyone in your family is 60 or older.

Make sure you send back the recertification form and papers on time so that your benefits don’t stop.

SNAP rules are different in each state. If you have special questions about how to renew your SNAP benefits, you should talk to the person in charge of the program in your area.

You may be asked for information or proof papers in addition to filling out, signing, and sending back the recertification form by mail or online. Some of these are:

How much money you make now (including your most recent pay stubs if you have them)
Any changes in the house (new people moving in or people leaving)
How much you pay for housing, care for dependents, and medical bills

All of this information will be used by the local SNAP office to check to see if you can still get SNAP help.

How long does SNAP help last?

SNAP benefits are given to households for different amounts of time, based on things like

How many people live in your home
Situation at work
Because of your age and health
Your SNAP benefits can last anywhere from one month to three years.

If you are approved for the program, you will get a letter telling you how long you can get SNAP benefits.

The certification term is the name for this “active” time. The people in your home will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card and a monthly benefit allowance while you are certified.