Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is a federal food assistance program that provides low-income families the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. A monthly allotment of benefits is issued via electronic (ATM-type) benefit transfer cards. Since this is an entitlement program, all eligible individuals and households can receive assistance. Benefits may be used to purchase most foods at participating stores. They may not be used to purchase tobacco, pet food, paper products, soap products or alcoholic beverages.

On December 4, 2019, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a new rule for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This new rule does not apply to NC and does not impact people who receive SNAP benefits in the state.

Yes, for a limited time and under certain conditions. People ages 18 through 49 who are able to work, and do not have any dependents, need to meet (with some exceptions) both a general work requirement and an additional work requirement to get SNAP for more than three months in three years (the time limit). Work requirements can be met by:

• Working at least 80 hours a month. Work can be for pay, for goods or services (for something other than money), unpaid or as a volunteer
  
• Participating in a work program at least 80 hours a month. A work program could be SNAP Employment and Training or another federal, state or local work program
• Participating in a combination of work and work program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month
• Participating in workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month (the number of hours will depend on the amount of your SNAP benefit)

Yes, states could apply for a waiver to increase time limits in times of high unemployment.

The new rule imposes stricter criteria that states must meet to request a waiver for able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) to receive SNAP benefits. It revises the conditions under which the USDA would waive, when requested by a state, the ABAWD time limit in areas that have an unemployment rate of over 10 percent or a lack of sufficient jobs.

The new rule only applies to states that have a waiver or apply for one in the future. NC does not have a waiver nor is it allowed to apply for one. In 2015, the General Assembly enacted legislation (Session Law 2015-294) prohibiting the state from seeking a waiver to reduce work requirements.

There are three ways to apply for Food and Nutrition Services (Food Stamps):

1. Apply online with ePass
2. Apply in person at your Department of Human Services (DHS) office. It helps to fill out as much of the application as possible ahead of time.
3. Fill out a paper application and mail to or drop off at your county DHS office.

Call your DHS office if one of these methods will not work for you. Watch the video below to learn about applying online through ePass. To learn more about FNS visit the Cabarrus County Department of Human Services at 1303 South Cannon Boulevard, Kannapolis.