SNAP is the new name for the Food Stamp benefits in Montana are strictly supervised by Public Assistance Programs as part of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The program is aimed at helping families/ individuals from low-income households afford a balanced and healthy diet with nutritional foods as outlined on the USDA food budget. In Montana, food stamps are a part of a bigger effort geared towards providing a safety net for low-income individuals and families.

The SNAP Food Stamps program is also hugely considered an economic stimulus because every $5 in new the newly introduced SNAP benefits generates $9.20 in total community spending. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the card that delivers SNAP benefits to beneficiaries every month. Beneficiaries are issued with the EBT card once the application is approved. EBT is similar to a debit card and it is used to purchase food at SNAP appointed grocery stores and super markets.

In order for you to qualify, you must meet specific requirements that have been laid down by the state, found here on Montana's SNAP overview age.

Eligibility Requirements

Before applying for SNAP benefits, consider Montana's SNAP application guidelines. The following list will determine if you qualify to receive food assistant aid and how much aid you will receive. All in all you must abide by the following rules in order for you to be considered as a beneficiary.

• Group together those people who live with you and buy food and prepare meals together. This group is what SNAP refers to as a household. Husbands and wives, and children under age 22 living with their natural, adoptive or are all included in this household.
• All members of the said household who wish to be included must be legal U.S. citizens or legal aliens.
• Household members must be in possession of social security number or in the process of acquiring one.
• Household members who are able-bodies lying within the age bracket of 16 to 59 must register for work. SNAP requires them to be actively involved in a SNAP Employment and Training Program unless a specified exemption is met.

Income Limits

Household that Meet Expanded Eligbility

People in Household	Gross Monthly Income	Net Monthly Income
1	$1,862	$931
2	$2,522	$1,261
3	$3,182	$1,591
4	$3,842	$1,921
5	$4,502	$2,251
6	$5,162	$2,581
7	$5,636	$2,911
8	$6,485	$3,241

All other househoulds

People in Household	Gross Monthly Income	Net Monthly Income
1	$1,211	$931
2	$1,640	$1,261
3	$2,069	$1,591
4	$2,498	$1,921
5	$2,927	$2,251
6	$3,356	$2,581
7	$3,785	$2,911
8	$4,214	$3,241

In the case of expedited food support programs, there are varying requirements listed below.

• You can receive SNAP benefits within 7 days after applying if your households earns less than $150 in monthly gross income and $100 or less in liquid resources.
• If your liquid resources and your monthly household gross income combined total is less than the households monthly rent and utility bills.

Remember seasonal farm workers and migrants households are also eligible.

Food Stamps Application Instructions

There are three methods for applying for food stamps:

• Online application which is the simplest
• Walk in application
• Mail application

Online Application

Applying online is the easiest; this can be done by visiting the official Montana application site by clicking here. Available here is also a prescreening tool that will let you see which other programs you are eligible for. Once your application is submitted it will take a maximum period of 30 days before your standard food stamp aid is delivered.

If you consider your need for food stamps as an emergency you can consider contacting your local office and inquire about the 7-day food support program.

Walk in Application

Visit an Office of Public Assistance to obtain an application and submit at that location.

If you do not know where to find your local office, click here and you will find a list of these offices. The application will request basic information about you. Accuracy and amount of information when filling these forms are the most important factors. your household and financial situation.

• You should know your social security number
• identification details
• You also must give details about your income and assets

Providing the above information accurately expedites the application process as it determines your eligibility.

Mail Application

You may also apply for SNAP by emailing the Public Assistance office for a form by clicking here. Then, mail the application to an Office of Public Assistance near you.

Food Service Locations

Like in most states SNAP is the federal name for the food assistance programs in Montana. Montana has multiple SNAP locations. In fact, every county here should have multiple locations where you can use your card. You can find specific locations near you using the SNAP retailer locator on the federal website by clicking here.

Or you can talk to someone about finding a SNAP location nearest you or to request a form. You can contact the Human and Community Services Division by phone at 1-888-706-1535.