The Basics

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps you pay for food. It is part of the federal SNAP program and is managed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

You may qualify for SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) if your family has low income. If you get benefits from the Family Investment Program (FIP) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then you should definitely meet the income and resource requirements for SNAP. If approved, your benefits start within 30 days of the date that you applied. However, if you need help fast and meet certain requirements, you can get your benefits on an emergency basis, within seven days or less from the date you apply.

When you get SNAP, you get an Iowa Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which is a plastic card that looks and works like a debit card. Iowa puts money on the EBT card each month and you use the card to pay for food.

Once approved for SNAP, you can use your EBT card to buy food at grocery stores displaying the Quest logo, at participating farmers markets and roadside stands, and from some online stores.

The amount of benefits you get each month depends on your family size and income. This article introduces SNAP, explains the eligibility rules, and answers frequently asked questions about the program.