Do you qualify for SNAP Food Stamps?
In order to receive SNAP Food Stamps you need to apply, you can get started with how to apply on this website. You can also go to your local SNAP office to receive assistance with your application.
Determining your eligibility for this program will depend on many factors. These include your gross income, your resources and it will depend on the number of people in your household. Your residency and citizenship status will also determine qualification.
U.S. citizens are eligible, but many legal aliens qualify for SNAP Food Stamps too. Those members of a household that are eligible to receive benefits will not be affected by any members of your household that cannot receive benefits. If you would like additional information about immigrant SNAP eligibility please see this website.
Screening for SNAP Food Stamps
Some people would like to prescreen their eligibility prior to apply for SNAP benefits. There are a few ways to do this. Please note, pre-screening is NOT an application, you must separately apply to receive benefits. The USDA provides an online pre-screening tool to help determine if you are eligible for benefits. This tool will also give an estimate of the amount of benefit you may receive. You can access the USDA pre-screening tool here.
If you need assistance in using the USDA's pre-screening tool, a tutorial is available here.
Many states vary on food stamp eligibility criteria, and the only way to determine if you qualify is to find out your state's specific eligibility criteria. Please view the following 'Just the Facts' video about qualifying for SNAP Food Stamps.
Kentucky Eligibility Requirements
In order to receive benefits under SNAP (Food Stamps), one has to meet the following program requirements:
- Applicants must be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien
- Applicants must be a resident of state of Kentucky
- Applicants must register for work provided they are between 16 and 60 years of age and are qualified for work.
- Applicants must meet income and resources limitations
Income Eligibility
Applicants will have to meet income eligibility guidelines in order to receive SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.
The annual household income for a household of one person should be less than $14,079. For a household of two, the annual income should be below $18,941. For a household of three, $23,803 is the annual income limit. For household of four, $28,665 is the income limit while for a household of five, income limit is set at $33,527. For larger households, you can add $4,862 to household's annual income for each additional person.
Resource Guidelines
In order to receive benefits through Kentucky SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits, a household has to have resources below $2,000. For those households where a member or more are disabled or elderly, the resources can be up to $3,000. The resources include assets as well as bank accounts.