SNAP Application Assistance

SNAP is a federal nutrition program that helps families supplement their food budget by providing monthly benefits that are loaded onto an EBT card. SNAP stands for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and is administered locally by the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services.

Requirements are based primarily on household income, along with other factors. The best way to know if you are eligible is to apply; Connecticut Foodshare’s SNAP application assistance team can help you do that in about 30 minutes for a 1-to-2-person household (may take longer for larger households).

Recent changes in employment status are considered in the application review process and are typically based on income from the past 30 days.

Our team at Connecticut Foodshare can help you complete the application and submit it to the State of Connecticut, which is responsible for determining if you are eligible. After submitting your application, you will have an interview with someone at the Connecticut Department of Social Services, and you might be asked for additional information. You can expect to know if you have been approved within 30 days of submitting the application. In special cases, there is a shorter, 7 day waiting period. The Connecticut Department of Social Services makes the determination if someone qualifies for these emergency SNAP funds.

Your household is made up of any members who purchase, prepare and eat meals together. If you have a roommate or housemate who buys their own groceries and prepares meals separately from you, they are a separate household and may be eligible for SNAP benefits on their own.

Yes. You need to live in Connecticut to receive SNAP benefits from the state. You will need to provide some basic information to prove that you have a Connecticut address. If you are currently unhoused, you can still apply. Our SNAP application assistance team can help you to understand the documentation you will need.

You will need to provide Social Security Numbers for all applying members of your household. You will need to provide documents to confirm your address. You will need to document your citizenship or immigration status. Some non-citizens may be eligible depending on their immigration status.

If you are undocumented, you can apply for benefits for your eligible children.

SNAP eligibility is based primarily on household income, not employment status. If your household falls within the income guidelines, you may be eligible.

Typically, able-bodied adults without dependents, may be required to work. Certain circumstances may exempt you from work requirements.

The dollar amount of benefits provided is based on household income and size. You can view the chart here.

You can buy a wide variety of foods from stores and online stores that accept EBT cards. Among the items you can purchase:

• Fruits & vegetables

• Meat & fish

• Dairy products

• Bread & cereals

• Snacks & beverages

SNAP eligible purchases are limited to food items that are not prepared foods, like meals. Alcohol is not eligible. Household products like cleaners and personal hygiene and personal products are not eligible. 

SNAP is accepted at a wide range of stores that sell grocery products, from neighborhood and convenience stores to large grocery stores and big retailers like Walmart. Many farmers markets also accept SNAP and provide double benefits for their produce purchases. SNAP is also accepted through some online grocery shopping sites. The U.S. Department of Agriculture website has links to a map to find retailers and farmers markets near you, as well as online shopping sites that accept SNAP. Visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator to find out more.