How To Apply For Food Stamps In Alaska

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally funded program that offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families. The program is run by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). If you live in this state and need to apply for a Alaska Quest Card, then the information below shows you how to apply for food stamps in Alaska. If you have additional questions or concerns about the Alaska SNAP program or the EBT application process, please contact the Alaska Department of Public Assistance for assistance.

The Division of Public Assistance issues Food Stamp benefits via the Alaska Quest card. The amount a household receives each month depends on the household's countable income and size of the household. Eligible households use the Food Stamp benefits to buy food products from authorized stores statewide. Eligible applicants must pass income and assets tests. The gross monthly income test is based on 130% of the current Alaska poverty standard. Alaska has special rules that allow for higher Food Stamp benefits in rural areas, and the use of benefits to purchase certain hunting and fishing subsistence supplies.

Alaska Food Stamps Eligibility Requirements

Residency
Applicants must be living in the State of Alaska to receive Food Stamp benefits from Alaska.

Age and Relationship
There are no specific age limits to receive Food Stamp benefits. Parents and their children 21 years old or younger living together are considered one household. Minors who apply on their own must be living without their parents. Individuals living together and who purchase and prepare food together are treated as one household.

Citizenship and Social Security Numbers
An applicant must be a U.S citizen, a U.S. National, or a qualified alien to get Food Stamp benefits. Some legal immigrants are ineligible for Food Stamp benefits; however, dependents of an ineligible immigrant are often eligible. All household members must have a social security number or proof of having applied for one.

Work
To receive Food Stamp benefits, most able-bodied people between 16 and 59 years old must register for work, participate in the Employment & Training Program if offered, accept offers of employment, and cannot quit a job.

Other Factors
Strikers must be resource and income eligible before the day of the strike. Most college students must be working half time, enrolled in work-study, caring for young dependents, or receiving Temporary Assistance. Felons convicted of drug-related offenses are not eligible for Food Stamp benefits. Individuals disqualified for fraud are ineligible for one year for the first offense, two years for the second offense, and permanently for the third. Dependents of disqualified or ineligible individuals may be eligible.

SNAP Benefits
Benefit amounts depend on a household's size, net income, and location of residence. Generally, the larger the household or the lower the net income the higher the Food Stamp benefit. Also, Food Stamp Program rules allow households in some rural areas to receive a higher benefit.