What is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly funds to families and individuals from low-income households to purchase groceries. Applicants must meet certain income and household requirements to be eligible for SNAP. Once a SNAP application is approved, you will receive SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Funds are loaded to your EBT card each month and can be used at authorized grocery stores, food stores, and retailers to purchase SNAP-eligible foods.

Am I eligible for SNAP? 

To be eligible for SNAP you must be:

  • A U.S citizen 
  • A lawful permanent resident for 5 years
  • A lawful permanent resident for any period of time with a disability
  • A refugee or asylum seeker with refugee or asylee status
  • A U.S. citizen child under 18, regardless of their parent’s citizenship status
    • Heads of households do not need an SSN to apply for SNAP benefits for others in their household.
  • As of January 16, 2021, students who are considered “half-time” by their educational institutions qualify for SNAP until the end of the public health emergency if they: 
    • Are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work study during the regular school year. 
    • They have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current academic year (based on the FAFSA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
    • Meet one of the qualifying SNAP eligibility requirements stated above.

¿Qué es el programa de asistencia Nutricional Suplementaria (SNAP)?

El programa de Asistencia de Nutrición Suplementaria (SNAP), anteriormente conocido como cupones de alimentos, proporciona fondos mensuales a familias e individuos de hogares de bajos ingresos para comprar alimentos. Los solicitantes deben ser elegibles para SNAP basados en ciertos ingresos y requisitos del hogar antes de enviar una solicitud. Una vez que se aprueba una  solicitud, recibirá los beneficios de SNAP en una tarjeta de transferencia electrónica de beneficios   (EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer). Los fondos se cargan en la tarjeta EBT cada mes y se pueden usar en supermercados, tiendas de alimentos y minoristas autorizados.

¿Soy elegible para SNAP?

Para ser elegible para SNAP debe ser:

  • Residente permanente legal (LPR) durante 5 años.
  • LPR por cualquier período de tiempo con una discapacidad
  • Refugiados o solicitantes de asilo
  • Niños menores de 18 años, independientemente del estado de ciudadanía de sus padres
    •  Los jefes de hogar no necesitan un SSN para solicitar los beneficios de SNAP para otras personas en su hogar.
  • A partir del 16 de enero de 2021, los estudiantes que sus instituciones educativas consideran “medio tiempo” califican para SNAP hasta el final de la emergencia de salud pública si:
    • Son elegibles para participar en estudios de trabajo financiados por el estado o el gobierno federal durante el año escolar regular.
    • Tienen una Contribución Familiar Esperada (EFC) de 0 en el año académico actual (según la Solicitud Gratuita de Ayuda Federal para Estudiantes de FAFSA). 
    • Cumplir con uno de los requisitos de elegibilidad de SNAP que califiquen indicados anteriormente.

If you are a victim of SNAP fraud/EBT card skimming:

1.  Contact your local police department and file a police report.

2.  Send the police report to the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS). For Montgomery County, this is the Office of Eligibility and Support Services. You can email police reports to oess.moco@montgomerycountymd.gov. Be sure to include your case ID number or other identifying details in your email so the report can be filed with your account information.

3. Contact the EBT Vendor to report suspicious activity or if you need to request a new card at 1.800.977.2222

Si es víctima de fraude de SNAP/Robo de información de Tarjeta EBT:

1. Comuníquese con su departamento local de policía y presente un informe policial.

2. Envíe el informe policial al Departamento Local de Servicios Sociales (LDSS). Para el Condado de Montgomery, esta es la Oficina de Elegibilidad y Servicios de Apoyo. Puede enviar informes policiales por correo electrónico a oess.moco@montgomerycountymd.gov. Asegúrese de incluir su número de identificación de caso u otros detalles de identificación en su correo electrónico para que el informe se pueda presentar con la información de su cuenta.

3. Comuníquese con el proveedor de EBT para informar actividades sospechosas o si necesita solicitar una nueva tarjeta al 1.800.977.2222

Upcoming Events

feb 2-april 6

Beginning Farmer Training Course

10-week course, meeting every Thursday evening from 7:00pm-8:30pm from February 2 through April 6, 2023.

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Mar 28-29

Montgomery County Energy Summit

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Mar 29

Montgomery County Food Council Happy Hour

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April 10 - 15

Food Waste Prevention Week

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Apr 11

Food Waste Prevention Week: Food Safety Training (consumer perspective)

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Apr 20

Increased Local Food Procurement Policy Priority Working Group, 10 -11:30am

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Apr 26

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Apr 26

Equitable Land Access Equitable Land Access April Site Visit at CHEER Garden

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Apr 27

Gardening Subcommittee

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May 2

Equitable Land Access Working Group Meeting

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May 8

Food Security Community Call

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May 15

Recovered Food Safety Training (Provider perspective)

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May 24

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Jun 12

Food Security Community Call

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Jun 15

Increased Local Food Procurement Policy Priority Working Group

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Jun 22

Gardening Subcommittee

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Jun 28

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Jul 10

Food Security Community Call

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Jul 11

Equitable Land Access Working Group Meeting

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Jul 26

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Aug 14

Food Security Community Call

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Aug 17

Increased Local Food Procurement

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Aug 23

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Aug 24

Gardening Subcommittee Meeting

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Sep 5

Equitable Land Access Working Group Meeting

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Sep 11

Food Security Community Call

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Sep 27

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Oct 10

Food Security Community Call

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Oct 19

Increased Local Food Procurement

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Oct 25

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Oct 26

Gardening Subcommittee

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Nov 13

Food Security Community Call

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Nov 22

Food System Advocacy Community Call

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Dec 11

Food Security Community Call

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