How to Get Enough Food Stamps to Actually Eat

Food Stamps Survival Guide
for People With Disabilities

Art by Robin Mead

You can apply for food stamps any time by contacting their local SNAP office.

This sounds really great, but as you have may already figured out, it does not always work out really great.

Many people get turned down for food stamps, or get an amount of food stamps that is too small to feed their families.

Sometimes this happens because a family simply is not eligible for more food stamps. Other times, it happens because people do not know or understand all the food stamps regulations.

Lucky you… You are about to learn all the food stamps regulations, so this won’t happen to you.

What’s SNAP? What’s EBT? What’s Food Stamps?

SNAP and Food Stamps are the same thing. SNAP is just a newer, fancier name.

The word “EBT” is often used to mean “Food Stamps”. However, technically, it actually means “Electronic Benefits Card.” It is a card that can hold SNAP food stamps, as well as some forms of child support and cash assistance.

Are Your Food Stamps Low or High?

If your food stamps are already at the maximum amount, there is no point in learning more rules. Your food stamps are never going to go above the maximum allotment.

🍎  Before reading this page, check out this chart of Maximum Monthly Allotment for 48 States.

🍎  Or check out this chart for Hawaii, Alaska, Guam and Virgin Islands.

🍎  Extra Special Secret Confusing Rule: When you see the word “household” in this chart, that does not mean everyone you live with. What does household mean?

Household Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied, for one of these reasons?

🍎  You live with other people

🍎  Someone you live with has income or savings

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Household Rules

Rent Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied for one of these reasons?

🍎 You are getting free rent

🍎  You are getting free utilities

🍎  Your rent is really low

🍎  Your parents or a family member are giving you a free place to stay

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Rent Rules

Utility Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied, for one of these reasons?

🍎  You are not paying utilities

🍎  Your utilities are included in your rent

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Utilities Rules

Work Rules

Are your food stamps discontinued or have they been denied because:

🍎  You are unable to meet the work requirements.

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Policy for Exceptions to the Work Rules

Note: Some states don’t have work requirements.

Medical and Health Expenses Rules

Are any of these you:

🍎  You are a senior (60+) and you have any kind of health costs

🍎  You are disabled (any age) and you are receiving one of the forms of disability benefits and you have any kind of health costs

Even if you think you have no health costs, or you think you have already given them all the information on your health costs, you should still read this page. You may discover some things that count as medical expenses that you were not thinking about. Learn SNAP Medical & Health Expenses Rules

Homeowner Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied, for one of these reasons?

🍎  You own a home

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Homeowner Rules

Elderly Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied because:

🍎  When you applied, you were not a senior, but now you are (60+)

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Rules for Elderly

Disability Rules

Are your food stamps low, or have they been denied, for one of these reasons?

🍎  When you applied, you were not disabled, but now you are (any age)

🍎  You are getting one of these forms of disability benefits

🍎  You think the disability rules may not have been applied to your case

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Rules Disabled

Student Rules

Were your food stamps denied, for one of these reasons?

🍎  You are a college student

🍎  You were a college student

If you are still in school, check out the student rules.

If you are no longer in school, you may be eligible now.

Assets Rules

Were your food stamps denied or discontinued for one of these reasons?

🍎  You have too much money

🍎  You own too much stuff

You may find it helpful to Learn the SNAP Assets & Savings Rules

More Food Stamps Secrets

🍎  Delivery: Looking for a way to actually get food with your food stamps? How to Get Groceries Delivered with SNAP Food Stamps

🍎  Special Diets: Some states allow food stamps to be raised due to medical need for special diet (for example: gluten free). Try asking your food stamps caseworker if this is possible in your area. If anyone has had success trying this, please comment below and let us know what happened and what state you are in.

🍎  Farmers Markets: Many farmers markets will give you extra free food if you use food stamps. For example, you pay $10 and it magically turns into $20! This bonus is available in many (but not all) states and farmer’s markets. Here’s where you can find a farmer’s market near you.

🍎  And Repeat: If your area has more than one Farmer’s Market, or the Market is open on more than one day, you can return for additional groceries. Some areas have a limit. For example, in Massachusetts there is a limit of $40 in farmer’s market tokens per month for a household of one person.

🍎  Gardening: In some states, SNAP can be used to by seeds, fruit trees, and vegetable plants. 

🍎  Neroli’s Magic List: “I am going to address this to everyone who is disabled and is not getting enough food stamps to feed the themselves or their family: Please make sure you are writing off every single medical expense. Stuff you don’t even think relates to your disability counts.” Neroli’s Amazing Guide to Deducting Medical Expenses for SNAP

🍎  More Discounts: Good article on discounts and special features connected to EBT cards: Did You Know Your EBT Card Could Do This?

🍎 Store Bonus Programs: Good article on using cash back programs from Walmart, Ibotta, and Costco: Three legal ways to get cash back from Food stamps

🍎  Home Delivery: Here’s where you can find How to Get Groceries Delivered with SNAP. Please let us know if you learn of more services that accept food stamps. Comment below.

🍎  Correcting Your Food Stamps: Now you know all the regulations! That doesn’t mean your caseworker knows all the regulations. If you think your food stamps were not processed correctly, here’s some ideas for next steps.

🍎  Advocacy Guide: If you have more questions or run into problems, check out this fantastic SNAP Advocacy Guide from Patricia Baker and Victoria Negus from Mass Legal Help. This guide is for Massachusetts, but many of the sections would apply to all states.

Little Food Stamps Story

“My monthly Food Stamps went from $35 to $192 when I turned in my out-of-pocket medical expenses. They wanted me to show what my projected recurring monthly expenses, but I said I couldn’t do that. They were different every month. I turned in receipts for the previous year and told them to figure it out. And they did.” – Camellia

How Do They Decide How Much Food Stamps I Get?

🍎  The formula for food stamps is complicated. If you have a calculator, a lot of free time, and a desire to be simultaneously bored and confused, it is here: food stamps formula. And here is the chart of Standard Utility Deductions.

🍎  Here’s a sample of a food stamps calculator you can play with if you wish (this one is from Illinois). Notice how someone can pay $10 more in medical expenses, and have a $90 increase in food stamps!

🍎  Fundraisers: Many people with disabilities and chronic illness fundraise to cover medical and living expenses. Unfortunately, this can affect your SNAP and other benefits. You will need to check the specific policies for SNAP in your state. There is some general information and advice on this page: How to Fundraise Without Losing Your Benefits

California Only

Previously, people on SSI could not get food stamps. Now, there’s been a change in the law. If you are on SSI, you can now apply for food stamps! It’s called CalFresh in California.

Other Options

🍎 Many areas have food banks that offer free groceries. National food bank directory.

🍎 Meals on Wheels and home meal programs offer free or low cost meals in many areas. Some programs are restricted to seniors, but others will serve anyone who is homebound or has difficulty leaving their home. Contact your local area agency on aging and they can hook you up.

🍎 Many areas have other food programs available at churches or nonprofits. Try dialing 2-1-1 on your phone to see what is available in your area.

🍎 Food stamps are not your only option. There are many other discounts and programs to help people with disabilities: How to Be Poor in America

Updated February 2019. Please comment below with stories, ideas, questions or suggestions. Please let us know if any links on this page stop working.