Program Description
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a program that enables low income individuals and a family to buy a variety of food staples that is the basis for better nutrition. Staple foods include meat, poultry, fish, bread, cereals, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. Staple foods do NOT include food accessory items such as coffee, tea, carbonated or non-carbonated drinks, candy, condiments, spices, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, hot foods, or hot food products for immediate consumption. Benefits are issued through electronic benefit transfer (EBT). EBT allows customers to use an ATM-like card to withdraw their benefits electronically at participating groceries and markets. The amount of the benefit the customer receives is based upon the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan budget, the income of the customer's household, the household's shelter costs and certain other expenses, and the number of eligible household members. A SNAP household generally consists of all the persons who buy and prepare food together.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). For either group, you must also have an annual household income of less than $14,079 if one person lives in the household; $18,941 if two people live in the household; $23,803 if three people live in the household; $28,665 if four people live in the household; $33,527 if five people live in the household; $38,389 if six people live in the household; $43,251 if seven people live in the household; or $48,113 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $4,862 for each additional person in the home.
Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.
Application Process
For detailed application information (instructions are included in the application), visit http://dhs.dc.gov/service/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-snap or call Income Maintenance Administration (IMA) Customer Service at 202-724-5506.
Applications must be filed, interviews conducted and all financial and technical eligibility factors must be met prior to issuance of benefits. Applications may be filed at any IMA Service Center, but applicants are urged to apply at their neighborhood office in order to facilitate the processing of their applications. Applicants may complete a SNAP Only Application, or a Combined Application when applying for SNAP and other programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid. Applicants must generally complete a face-to-face interview, but may name someone to act on their behalf.
Program Contact Information
You may also call the 211 Answers, Please! hotline for more information.
202-463-6211
