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Food Stamps

Minnesota Food Stamp Program

Introduction

Minnesota’s Food Support and Food Assistance Programs supply emergency cash assistance for households unable to provide good nutrition for themselves or their dependents. There are many programs in Minnesota that help to feed low-income households. Expedited Food Support, Food Support and Minnesota Food Assistance are some of the programs that supply individuals with benefits like food stamps. Minnesota Hunger Partners and Minnesota’s Food Helpline supply assistance right away if individuals call 1-888-711-1151 and pass an eligibility check. Expedited Food Support is available to only a few types of households, but will deliver cash benefits to an applicant within 24 hours. However, to receive continuous benefits each month, you must apply to the Food Support Program. This is a county-run program that is federally funded and allows low income families to provide a healthy diet for their households. To read more about the several different programs available for food assistance, you can visit the website for Minnesota’s Food Support Programs. Most individuals will need to start with the Food Support Screening Tool which will determine if you are eligible to receive benefits. Eligibility is determined by several factors, that include but are not limited to, income, assets and household size. Once you do the eligibility check, you can continue to the application. There are also several ways to apply for food stamps in Minnesota.

Applying for Food Stamps

Minnesota’s Food Support website recommends contacting your local county human services agency to request an application or complete an interview over the phone. You can also find your local county office website by visiting the NorthStar website. If you want to call and request more information, you can contact the hotline at (651) 431-4050 or 1-800-657-3698. You can also download and print a Combined Application Form (CAF) (PDF). Once you turn in the application, you will complete an interview with a representative with your local county office. You may conduct this interview in person or over the phone. On your application, you will need to provide some basic information and details about your household, income, citizenship and assets. These factors determine your eligibility for food stamp benefits. If you need emergency help, it is recommended that you visit a county office right away or call the food support hotline at (651) 431-4050 or 1-800- 657-3698. In some cases, you can receive food support within 24 hours or 7 days. In other cases, you will have to wait for your application to be processed by your local county office.

Receiving Food Stamps

Your eligibility is determined by various factors, which include income, citizenship, assets and household size. You must be a U.S. citizen and reside in Minnesota. Your house must have an income that is at or below 165 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. You can use the eligibility screening tool to determine if you are eligible. The screening tool will ask you a few questions that determine what you are eligible to receive. You can also view this screening tool in several languages, such as Spanish, Russian, and Somali. In addition, if you have also received the Domestic Violence Information Brochure, you will not have an asset limit. You can find this brochure at your local county office. Once you complete the application process, you will receive an EBT card, which acts like a debit card. You can use your EBT card at grocery stores and super markets where food is sold. Food support benefits can be used to buy food, plants and seeds. You may also use your food stamps for Meals on Wheels and congregate dining. If you have questions about how to use your food stamps or want to know more about how to use your food stamps, you can see more information on the SNAPS website.

Finding Food Service Locations

SNAP is the federal name for the food assistance programs. Every state has multiple SNAP locations. In fact, every county should have multiple locations where you can use your card. You can find specific locations near you using the SNAP retailer locator on the federal website. To talk to someone at the food support hotline, you can call from the Twin Cities area at (651) 431-4050 or you can toll-free at 1-800-657-3698. If you want to talk to a representative at a local DHS office, you can consult the County Human Services agencies list.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What income do you need to have in order to be eligible for food stamps in Minnesota?

The amount of benefits you will qualify for will be determined by your household’s monthly income as well as the number of people in your household. Here is a list of the maximum monthly household incomes in order to qualify for food stamps in relation to the number of members in the household.
1 $1,276
2 $1,726
3 $2,177
4 $2,628
5 $3,078
6 $3,529
7 $3,980
8 $4,430
9 $4,881
10 $5,332
11 $5,783
12 $5,234
13 $6,685
14 $7,136
15 $7,587
16 $8,038
17 $8,489
18 $8,940
19 $9,391
20 $9,842

Can someone else apply for food stamps for me?

Yes. You can have anyone apply for food stamps on your behalf. This person’s information must be provided in your application. If you are approved for food stamps in Minnesota, the person who applies for you will be approved as your authorized representative. This person can attend interviews for you, complete forms, provide documents and even use your EBT card on your behalf.

Do I need a state ID to receive benefits?

No. Although a state-issued ID is commonly used to verify identity, other documents can be used also. Some of these documents include:
Birth certificate
School or word ID
Paycheck stubs (w/ applicant’s name)
ID Card for health benefits or other assistance program