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SNAP

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    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

    Application

    You can apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

    You can use this same application process to also apply for the Family Investment Program (FIP), Medicaid, cash assistance, and other benefits programs. If you need help filling out the application, contact your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office or call the Iowa Food Assistance Hotline at 1-855-944-3663 or 1-800-735-2942 (TTY).

    Getting Emergency Benefits

    If you need help fast and have really low (or no) income and really low (or no) cash on hand, you might get emergency SNAP benefits (also called expedited benefits) in seven days or less from the date you applied. All SNAP applications are checked to see if they are eligible for emergency benefit services, but you can ask your local Health and Human Services (HHS) office to see if you might qualify.

    When you apply for SNAP, you may need to provide proof of:

    • Your citizenship status
    • Where you live
    • Social Security numbers for everyone on your application
    • Your disability
    • Your medical expenses
    • Household income
    • Housing or shelter costs, and
    • Child care or adult day health care costs

    After submitting an application for SNAP, you will get a notice to schedule an interview. Eligibility interviews are often done by phone but can be face-to-face. During this interview, the caseworker asks questions about your household situation to figure out if you qualify for benefits, and makes sure that they have all the required information and documents.

    After your interview, SNAP sends you a letter saying if your application is approved or denied and, if you are approved, how much you will get each month.

    If approved, your benefits start within 30 days of the date that you applied.

    However, if it appears that you might qualify for emergency benefits you will be interviewed within days of submitting your application. And if you are approved for emergency benefits, your SNAP benefits start within seven days of the date that you applied.

    Learn more about who can get SNAP and how SNAP benefits are calculated.

    Appeals

    If your application is denied or you do not agree with a decision, contact your Health and Human Services (HHS) office. They might just need more information. If you cannot resolve the issue, you can file an appeal with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.

    Learn more

    Getting Past the Myths

    Get the facts about how benefits support work.

    Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP)

    The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan is a Medicaid program that covers people with and without disabilities who have low income.

    Programs That Support Work

    Learn about programs that can help you prepare for and find work.