The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Food Stamps is the joint project of the Wyoming Department of Family Services and the Economic Assistance Division. The project aims to assist hundreds of low income households that are undergoing financial crisis. These families are issued an EBT card that they can use to buy nutritious food for their families.

The food stamp program requires certain eligibility requirements. Once approved, a member can buy commodities such as:

• Food items that can be used to cook meals at home
  
• Pre-packed cold sandwiches, salads, and deli items
  
• Health and ethnic food items
  
• Snacks, candies, sodas, and ice
  
• Seeds or plants that can be grown and cultivated at home to produce food for the family
  
• Some junk foods, luxury and holiday items
  
• Eligible energy drinks
  
• Locally produced food (if the stores are equipped with EBT)

However, there are limitations to what you can buy. You cannot purchase items like:

• Hot or store-eaten foods
  
• Alcoholic beverages
  
• Tobacco and cigarettes
  
• Vitamins or medicines
  
• Soap and other laundry items
  
• Cosmetics

EXCEPTIONS:

• The elderly or disabled may use their food stamps to pay for eligible home delivered meals.
  
• Individuals who are undergoing drug or alcohol rehabilitation, residing in homeless shelters, homes for battered women may use SNAP to pay for their food.

For a complete list of eligible and non-eligible foods, click this link: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm

Eligibility Requirements

Although SNAP Food Stamps were designed to meet the needs of below poverty level households, some criteria must be met as set by the state such as:

• Ability to provide the necessary documents required by the program
  
• Household's total monthly income must be below the Federal poverty guidelines
  
• Countable assets must not be over $2000. However, an elderly or disabled member increases this limit to $3000.
  
• Able adult members of the household must meet the work requirements as stated in the program.
  
• For more details about eligibility, click here: SNAP Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool

Food Stamps Application Instructions

There are several ways to apply for SNAP Food Stamps:

Walk-In/Mail Application

Begin by downloading and print the application form which can be found here: Food Assistance (SNAP). Then follow these steps:

• Fill out all the required fields. Incomplete applications are not accepted. If you find it hard to do so, ask help from the local representative.
  
• Submit your application to the nearest county office. To find one near you, click this link: https://dss.sc.gov/content/about/counties/index.aspx
  
• A DSS worker will schedule you for an interview upon receipt of your application.

It will make the entire process faster if you bring the following documents during your interview:

• Identification Card: US Citizen, Immigrant, SSS for all eligible members, including dependents.
  
• Shelter and Utility Bills: mortgage, taxes, electric, water or telephone bills that contain your name.
  
• Alien or Non-citizen Status: applies to non-citizen members of your household who you want to benefit from SNAP.
  
• Proof of Income: Certificate of employment, pay stubs, copy of payroll that has your name included in the list of employees for the past month.

For more details about required documents, click here: dss.sc.gov/content/customers/food/foodstamp/faq.aspx#interview. Georgia COMPASS allows applicants to apply for Food Stamps online and also check their al eligibility courtesy of the Pre-screening tool. Applicants, who create an account in Georgia COMPASS, can check the status of their application online and make changes to their household circumstances through Georgia COMPASS.

Email Application

You can also email the above application to: annette.jones@wyo.gov

Application help via Phone

Dial the Wyoming SNAP Food Stamps Hotline at 1-800-457-3659 and ask for an application form to be sent to you.