Millions at Risk of Losing SNAP Benefits—Are You on the List?

If you re relying on SNAP benefits to help cover the cost of food you ve perhaps wondered How long can I authentically keep getting them It s a fair question especially as grocery prices keep climbing and budgets feel tighter than ever Let s make sense of the rules and explain what it all means for real people in real life How Long Can You Get SNAP When you re approved for SNAP formerly called food stamps you re given something called a certification period That s basically the amount of time the cabinet says you re eligible before they need to check again Here s what that looks like If you re a family with kids elderly or disabled household members your certification might last to months sometimes up to years if your situation is stable If you re dealing with a up-to-date job loss or unstable income your period might be shorter maybe to months Once that time runs out you ll need to renew your benefits by updating your info It s called recertification So no SNAP isn t permanent but as long as you continue to qualify and follow the attempts you can keep getting patronage What If You re an Adult Without Kids If you re an adult between and don t have children and are physically able to work SNAP has a stricter rule just for you The regime refers to this group as ABAWDs Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents Here s the deal You can only get SNAP benefits for months out of every years unless you re working or in a job training scheme To keep your benefits you need to work at least hours a month or be enrolled in a qualifying plan That reported there are exceptions You might be excused from these rules if you re pregnant homeless a veteran physically or mentally unfit to work or over If any of these apply you should talk to your local SNAP office to make sure they know How to Keep Your SNAP Going The Recertification Process Before your certification period ends your state will usually send you a letter email or text letting you know it s time to renew your benefits What you ll need to do Fill out a recertification form either online or on paper Update your household information including your income housing costs curative bills and anything else that affects your eligibility Do a quick interview usually over the phone It s not a full re-application but it s key If you don t do it in time your benefits will stop even if you still qualify Do Your SNAP Benefits Expire Not right away If you don t use all your benefits in a given month the unused amount just rolls over to the next month That s good news However if you don t use your EBT card at all for months your benefits could be taken away So even if you only use a little make sure you use the card at least once in a while to keep your account developing Does It Vary by State Yes it does SNAP is a federal undertaking but each state manages it in its own way That means your renewal dates work rules and even the way you apply could be different depending on where you live Certain states may require in-person interviews Others let you do everything online A limited states might even offer extra help for certain groups Your best bet is to check with your local SNAP office or your state s benefits website SNAP helps millions of people put food on the table every month The key is understanding the rules and knowing that you can keep receiving encouragement for as long as you qualify and stay on top of the paperwork If your income is low if you re out of work or if you re trying to take care of your family this initiative exists to sponsorship you It s not something to be ashamed of It s a tool to help you get through tough times If you ever have questions about recertification work rules or whether you still qualify reach out to your local office It s better to ask than to miss out