In 2008, many state programs underwent a name change. Food stamps programs changed to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program is under Support Services under the Department of Human Services in Arkansas. You can find more information at the government website for the SNAP program here here. Arkansas' SNAP program allows people with a low income to provide healthy food for themselves and their families with state assistance. SNAP benefits work like cash to buy food at specific locations across the state. Like most states, Arkansas has specific requirements for those who are seeking food stamp benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds SNAP as part of Food and Nutrition Services. In order to qualify for food stamps in Arkansas, individuals must be a resident of Arkansas and pass certain eligibility requirements, including income and asset tests.
You can apply for food assistance benefits in Arkansas through various ways. You can download a copy of the application located here, then mail, fax or physically submit to a local DHS office. You can find a list of offices in Arkansas at the Support Services website or by clicking here. On the form you can request different services. You also will need some information about yourself, such as your social security number, address, income and assets. You can view a full application (PDF) by clicking here. There is also a form for Spanish-speaking individuals and you can look at a SNAP Change report on the support services to make sure that you are still eligible and to understand more about the benefits that you can receive.
There are some general requirements necessary to receive food assistance in Arkansas. These include your residency. You must also fall into one of two groups. You must have a current balance in your savings and checking account that is under $2,000. You also must have a current bank balance under $3,000 if you share your household with a person or persons age 60 or over. For either group, you also must have an annual household income of less than $14,079 if only one person lives in the household. The number goes up if you have more than one person to $18,941 for two, and so on. You can find out more specific information for your family located here. Once you are approved, you will receive a card in the mail that will hold funds for you to use at an approved SNAP retailer.
Any SNAP retailer will take a Quest card. You can look up the locations for SNAP online at the SNAP Retailer Locator website. You can also contact the SNAP program for Arkansas at 1-501-682-8650. To locate a DHS office in Arkansas, you can go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services website located here.