Food Stamps Application Instructions
Online SNAP Application
Click here to begin an online SNAP application on the Department of Human Services for North Dakota website. You will need to provide some basic information about yourself during the application process. This includes:
- Your full name and address
- Contact details
- Social security numbers for you and others in your household
- Your gross income and liquid resource information( recent pay stubs/bank statements detailing your cash flow and assets
The above information is important because it helps determine your eligibility. After your application, a one on one interview will be conducted that will further determine your status. You may need to provide more documentation or show proof of identity, depending on what your case worker may see fit.
Walk In / Mail In Application
There are also application forms to download and print available on Department of Human Services (DHS) website, which you may then mail, fax or deliver personally to your local county social service agency after filling them out carefully. The application forms are detailed comprising of 16 pages. After you turn in your application, you will have to do an interview with a county social services worker. You will be asked about everyone who lives with you, their income, and about household expenses. The interview may not be conducted on the same day. If you cannot be available to attend an interview, you can send a trusted person to sit in for you, alternatively you can request to be interviewed on phone.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to benefit from this program, you must be a resident of the state of North Dakota and fall into one of two categories listed below:
- Individuals operating a current bank account (savings and checking combined) reading below $2,001 in balance
- Individuals operating a current bank account (savings and checking combined) below $3,001 in balance and share their household with a senior(s) aged 60 years and above, or with a person with special needs.
For both groups, you must fall within the following income guidelines:
| Household Size | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $14,079 |
| 2 | $18,941 |
| 3 | $23,803 |
| 4 | $28,665 |
| 5 | $33,527 |
| 6 | $38,389 |
| 7 | $43,251 |
| 8 | $48,113 |
For larger families, an additional $4,862 is included for each person in the home. Apart from meeting the above financial guidelines, your eligibility is further determined by meeting other strict conditions such as citizenship, income and household size.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have an acceptable immigration status
- Applicants must be residents of North Dakota.
- Must have a Social Security Number or proof of application if the number is pending
- If less than 18 years of age, above 49 years of age, have been a lawful U.S. resident for more than 5 years, or are a refugee, you do NOT need a Social Security Number to apply.
- Household resources or assets must be less than $2,000 ($3,250 for households that include a member aged 60 years or above or a disabled household member). Households in which all members are receiving TANF, tribal TANF, or SSI are not subject to asset limit.
- Households must have a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the Federal poverty level.
- Adults residing in the household must meet work requirements as outlined by the program.
Once approved to receive the benefits, an approval letter is received in the mail along with an EBT card. Benefits are received electronically each month on a particular date. The amount and date are indicated in the approval letter. Questions regarding food assistance should be directed to your local county social service agency, click here to find your local service agency.
After submitting an application, some households may get help within a minimum of seven days. This however depends on different household circumstances. Most families start receiving their benefits within a month from the date of application. Changes in gross monthly income must be reported to the county social services office by the 10th day of the following month. Details on this are explained during the one on one interview that follows soon after application. A recertification must be completed every six months.
Undocumented immigrants do not qualify to receive SNAP. But if some people in your family are eligible to receive SNAP while others do not; an application is only made for only those people who qualify. If you are undocumented, but your children were born in the U.S., you can receive SNAP on behalf of your children. The county social services worker cannot tell USCIS (INS) about you or other people living with you. You do not have to disclose to the county social services worker about the immigration status of people that you are not applying for, but you must disclose the number of people living with you and their income.