You can apply for food stamps by obtaining an application at your local Social Security office or, in some states, you can retrieve the food stamps application online. You can check online to find the Social Security office nearest to you. If your state provides food stamps applications online, you have a couple of choices. You can print the application, fill it out by hand, and submit it to your local Social Security or food stamps office, or you can submit your application electronically via the internet.
If you would like to apply for food stamps online but don't have a computer, you can visit your local library. Most local libraries provide computers with internet access at no charge. This will allow you to search for local Social Security offices and food stamps office, search for your state's rules regarding online food stamps applications, and submit your food stamps application online if it is available in your state.
You may also be required to come to a face-to-face interview at your local food stamps office. If you are suffering certain kinds of hardships, you may be able to get a waiver of the face-to-face interview and instead submit to a phone interview. Acceptable hardships include elderly, disabled, illness, transportation difficulties, conflicting work hours, care of a household member, or prolonged severe weather.
If you have any questions about where to apply for food stamps in your area, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 anywhere between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call Social Security at 1-800-325-0778.