Kentucky Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is the food assistance program for low-income families and individuals living in Kentucky. The program provides access to food so that low-income families living in the state can feed themselves and stay healthy.

The food stamps are provided through an Electronic Benefit Card (EBT). The card works like a debit card. Funds are loaded into the card each month and the cardholder can use these funds to buy food from designated stores, spread throughout the state. The cardholders can buy pretty much anything that comes within the list of permitted food. Some of the foods not allowed are hot-foods, ready to eat food, liquor, and cigarettes.

In order to receive SNAP (Food Assistance) benefits in Kentucky, families and individuals have to meet certain eligibility requirements. Household income has to be within income guidelines for the program. For the purpose of program, a household is a unit of people living together, buying food together and preparing meals together. Children under the age of 21 are considered part of the same household but children above the age of 21 living in the same household can apply for individual benefits.

When you apply for SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits in Kentucky, your application will have to be processed within 30 days. However, if you're with little or no money, you may start receiving the benefits earlier, within a few days.

Some residents of Kentucky can start receiving SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits right away if their monthly household expense (rent, utilities etc) exceeds their earned income. Households with minimal resources and gross monthly income will also start receiving Food Assistance benefits instantly. In addition to these categories, households with seasonal farm workers and migrants can also receive SNAP benefits instantly after applying for them.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to receive benefits under SNAP (Food Stamps), one has to meet the following program requirements:

• Applicants must be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien
• Applicants must be a resident of state of Kentucky
• Applicants must register for work provided they are between 16 and 60 years of age and are qualified for work.
• Applicants must meet income and resources limitations

Income Eligibility

Applicants will have to meet income eligibility guidelines in order to receive SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits.

The annual household income for a household of one person should be less than $14,079. For a household of two, the annual income should be below $18,941. For a household of three, $23,803 is the annual income limit. For household of four, $28,665 is the income limit while for a household of five, income limit is set at $33,527. For larger households, you can add $4,862 to household's annual income for each additional person.

Resource Guidelines

In order to receive benefits through Kentucky SNAP (Food Stamps) benefits, a household has to have resources below $2,000. For those households where a member or more are disabled or elderly, the resources can be up to $3,000. The resources include assets as well as bank accounts.

Food Stamps Application Instructions

You can apply for SNAP benefits in Kentucky in one of two ways:

Apply in Person

Visit your local Family Support office. You will have to fill an application and submit it to get an appointment for interview with a Family Support office worker. You can find your local Family Support office using this online tool.

Apply Through Mail

You can also apply for Kentucky Food Assistant (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, through mail. You can download application by clicking here and send it to Family Support office through mail. Remember, you will still need to be interviewed by a Family Support worker in order to determine eligibility for Kentucky Food Stamps (SNAP).