Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program that provides low-income families the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. A monthly allotment of benefits is issued via electronic (ATM-type) benefit transfer cards. Since this is an entitlement program, all eligible individuals and households can receive assistance. Benefits may be used to purchase most foods at participating stores. They may not be used to purchase tobacco, pet food, paper products, soap products or alcoholic beverages.
Yes, for a limited time and under certain conditions. People ages 18 through 49 who are able to work, and do not have any dependents, need to meet (with some exceptions) both a general work requirement and an additional work requirement to get SNAP for more than three months in three years (the time limit). Work requirements can be met by:
If you receive FNS, you can access account information and online customer service through a free mobile application called ebtEDGE. The app will allow you to use your smartphone to look up deposit and transaction history, account balance and benefit schedules. Recipients will also be able to use existing channels to find this information, such as calling 1-888-622-7328.