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.

West Virginia Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the West Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) Program you must meet a specified set of eligibility requirements. These eligibility requirements are mainly based on the Household income, Household resources, program employment requirements, and the residence status of the applicant, and are highlighted below:

Income Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the West Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) program applicants must meet a set of income eligibility requirements. These requirements are generally based on the gross household income and family size and are highlighted on the West Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) income manual available on at this link.

Resource based eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the West Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) program, applicants must have a maximum of $2000 worth of countable assets. For elderly and disabled individuals the resource maximum is $3250 worth of countable assets. It should however be noted that the resource test only applies to "countable assets" and not assets such as the home, pensions benefits and lots.

Employment Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the west Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) program, able bodied individuals between the ages of 16 and 60 must be willing to work, be actively looking for employment and should participate in an employment training program to which they are referred to by their local office.

Residential Eligibility Requirements

In order to qualify for the West Virginia Food Stamps (SNAP) program, applicants must be residents of the state of West Virginia. Additionally they should be US citizens or legal aliens who have resided in the state for more than 5 years.

You can determine your eligibility to the West Virginia (SNAP)- Food stamps program by using the pre-screening tool available on the following link.