SNAP is still running and accepting applications in all 50 states

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition information Program, formerly called food stamps) has not ended and is not closing. The program continues to operate in every state, and people can submit applications year-round. There is no important date, no enrollment period that closes, and no limit on how many people can participate.

What has changed recently is the end of emergency pandemic increases. From March 2020 through March 2023, SNAP gave households extra money each month on top of their regular benefit. That temporary boost ended in March 2023. Your regular SNAP benefit—the amount you would have received before the pandemic—is still available, but it will be lower than what you may have been receiving during those three years.

If you stopped receiving SNAP during the pandemic or never applied, the program is still there. The income and resource limits that determine who can participate have not changed. The way you explore has not changed. The only real difference is the amount of money per month.

Key Takeaways

  • SNAP continues in all 50 states with no closing date or enrollment important date.
  • The emergency pandemic bonus that ran from March 2020 to March 2023 has ended, so monthly benefits are now lower than they were during that period.
  • Your regular SNAP benefit amount depends on your household size, income, and expenses, and these rules have not changed.
  • You can submit an process to your state's SNAP office or through your state's online portal at any time during the year.
  • If you were receiving SNAP before the pandemic, your case may need to be recertified, and your new benefit amount will reflect the removal of the emergency increase.

What happened to the pandemic emergency increase

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP gave every household an extra amount each month. This was called the emergency allotment or emergency increase. For most households, this meant an additional $95 to $250 per month depending on household size. This extra money was temporary and was authorized by Congress to help people during the public health emergency.

In March 2023, the federal public health emergency ended, and so did the authority to give out these extra payments. States were required to stop adding the emergency amount to SNAP benefits. Your base benefit—the amount you would have received under normal SNAP rules—continues, but you no longer receive the pandemic boost on top of it.

If you were receiving SNAP in February 2023 and your case was active, you saw your benefit amount drop in March 2023. If you were not receiving SNAP at that time, you would not have received the emergency increase anyway, so this change does not affect you.

How to check your current SNAP status

If you were receiving SNAP before March 2023, your case is still open unless your state closed it for not recertifying. Each state requires you to recertify your SNAP case every 12 months (some states require it every 24 months). If your recertification date has passed and you did not submit the required paperwork, your case may have been closed.

To find out whether your case is still active, contact your state's SNAP office directly. You can find your state office through the USDA's official SNAP website or by calling 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local resources). Have your case number ready if you have one. Your state office can tell you whether your case is open, what your current benefit amount is, and whether you need to recertify.

If your case was closed because you did not recertify, you can reopen it by submitting a new process. The process is the same as explore for the first time. Your state will review your income and household situation and tell you whether you are may be able to access and what your monthly benefit will be.

How SNAP benefit amounts are calculated now

Your SNAP benefit is based on your household size, gross monthly income, and certain expenses like rent, utilities, and child care. The program uses a formula that subtracts your income and expenses from a maximum benefit amount. That maximum amount varies by household size and is set by the federal government each year.

For 2024, the maximum SNAP benefit for a single person is $292 per month. For a family of four, it is $1,018 per month. These amounts increase slightly each year to account for inflation. Your actual benefit will be less than the maximum unless your income is very low or you have high expenses.

The emergency increase that ended in March 2023 was separate from this calculation. It was an extra amount added on top of your regular benefit. Now that it has ended, your benefit is based only on the standard formula. If you were receiving $400 per month in February 2023 (which might have included a $100 emergency increase), your benefit in April 2023 would have dropped to $300 per month.

How to submit a new SNAP process

You can submit a SNAP process through your state's online portal, by mail, in person at your local SNAP office, or by phone. Most states now offer online applications, which is usually the fastest way. Go to your state's SNAP website or search "[your state] SNAP process" to find the online form.

When you explore, you will need to provide proof of your identity, income, and household composition. This usually means a driver's license or state ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns, and a list of everyone living in your household. Some states also ask for proof of residency, like a utility bill or lease.

Your state will process your process and send you a decision by mail or email. Processing usually takes 30 days, though some states can decide faster if you provide all required documents upfront. Once you are approved, your benefits will be loaded onto a card (called a SNAP card or EBT card) that you use like a debit card at grocery stores and farmers markets.

SNAP rules have not changed

The income limits, resource limits, and rules about what you can buy with SNAP have remained the same. You can still use SNAP to buy fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other food items. You cannot use it for hot food, prepared meals, vitamins, or non-food items.

Your household's gross monthly income must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line to be may be able to access. For a single person, that is about $1,810 per month in 2024. For a family of four, it is about $3,822 per month. Some states have different limits, so check with your state office.

You can have up to $2,750 in resources (like a savings account) and still be may be able to access, though some states have higher limits. A car is not counted as a resource. Your home is not counted. The rules about what counts and what does not have not changed since before the pandemic.

What to do if you were cut off or your case closed

If your SNAP case was closed because you did not recertify, you can reopen it by submitting a new process. You do not need to wait for a specific time or season. You can explore right away through your state's online portal or by contacting your local SNAP office.

If you were cut off for another reason—such as income that was too high or not providing required documents—your state office can explain why. You can ask to speak with a caseworker who can review your situation and tell you whether anything has changed that would make you may be able to access now.

Some states also have a process called "expedited SNAP" that can get you benefits within 7 days if you meet certain conditions, such as having very low income or being homeless. Ask your state office whether you may have access to for expedited processing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will SNAP end or get cut off again in the future?

SNAP is a permanent federal program that has been running since 1964. It is not scheduled to end. Congress would need to pass new legislation to eliminate or significantly change the program. The emergency pandemic increase was temporary and has ended, but the regular SNAP program continues.

Can I get the emergency increase back if I reapply?

No. The emergency increase ended in March 2023 and is not coming back. Your benefit will be based on the standard SNAP formula, which depends on your income, household size, and expenses. The emergency increase was a one-time pandemic response and is not part of regular SNAP.

How much will my SNAP benefit be if I explore now?

Your benefit depends on your household size, income, and expenses. You can get an estimate by contacting your state SNAP office or using your state's online calculator if one is available. Your state office can give you an exact amount once they review your process and verify your information.

Do I have to recertify my SNAP case every year?

Yes, most states require recertification every 12 months. Some states allow 24-month recertification periods. Your state will send you a notice telling you when your recertification is due. If you miss the important date, your case will close, but you can reopen it by submitting a new process.

Can I use SNAP at farmers markets?

Yes. SNAP works at most farmers markets that accept EBT cards. Some farmers markets also offer matching programs where your SNAP dollar is matched with an extra dollar to spend on fruits and vegetables. Check with your local farmers market to see if they accept SNAP and whether they offer matching.