How To Apply For Food Stamps In Kentucky

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 Kentucky Benefit Security Card, then the information below shows you how to apply for food stamps in Kentucky. If you have additional questions or concerns about the Kentucky SNAP program or the EBT application process, please contact the Kentucky Division of Family Support for assistance.

Who is eligible for Kentucky SNAP benefits?
Any household meeting basic income and other requirements may be able to receive SNAP benefits. A household is any person, family or group of people who live and buy and eat food together. Adult children older than 21 who live with their parents may qualify for their own SNAP benefit accounts if they purchase and prepare food separately from their parents. Adult siblings living together, but not with their parents, who purchase and prepare meals separately may also have separate SNAP benefit accounts. The following people must be included in one household account, regardless of whether they purchase and prepare meals separately:

• A spouse of any household member.
• Parents living with their natural, adopted or stepchildren who are age 21 or younger.
• Children younger than 18 who are dependents of an adult household member.
• What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Citizenship
Only U.S. citizens and some legal foreign residents of the United States may receive food benefits.

Work Registration
Anyone in a household who is 16 to 60 years old and can work must register for, look for and accept work. There are some exceptions to this requirement.

Resources
A household may have no more than $2,000 in cash and bank account assets. If a member of the household is 60 or older, the household may have no more than $3,250 in resources. Some resources not used to calculate household assets include the dwelling, its contents and personal belongings. Vehicles are also excluded.

Income
The amount of money a household can receive and still be eligible to receive SNAP benefits depends on household size. Money from wages or other payments to any household member is counted as income. Your household may qualify for deductions from the household's income, such as rent, utilities, legally obligated child support paid to someone outside the household and babysitting expenses. If your household includes older or disabled members, you may be able to deduct medical costs.

Proof of income and expenses must be provided to receive deductions. Such proof can be provided with pay stubs, social security letters, rent and utility receipts or savings account statements. The amount of benefits your household will receive is based on household size and income after deductions.

How do I apply for Kentucky SNAP benefits?
The SNAP application form is available in various languages. To find the application you need, please go to the SNAP Application page. You may also call 1-855-306-8959 to apply by phone. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to complete an interview. The head of your household, or an authorized representative, must be interviewed before the application can be completed.

If you print an application off the internet and mail it in, you must be interviewed by a worker before your application can be processed. You may also apply in person at any Family Support office. Benefits will begin from the date your application is received. If received after business hours (M-F, 8-4:30 pm), the application will be dated for the next business day.

Your household may name someone to be your authorized representative to act on your household's behalf in completing the interview for SNAP benefits and to use your benefits to purchase food for your household. If your household needs help right away, you may be able to get your SNAP benefits within a few days after applying.

How will I know if my household is approved for SNAP benefits?
After filing an application, you will receive a notice within 30 days telling you whether or not your household has been approved for SNAP benefits. If your household is approved, you will receive a letter telling you the amount of benefits you will receive and advising you when you have to be interviewed again to continue receiving benefits.

Can I get SNAP benefits right away?
You may qualify for SNAP benefits soon after applying under certain circumstances, if:

• Household's rent/mortgage/utilities and costs are more than gross monthly income.
• Household's gross monthly income is less than $150 and resources.
• Your household includes members who are migrant or seasonal farm workers.