The Food Stamp program in Nevada is known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP Food Stamps assists low-income families living in state of Nevada to raise their food purchasing power. The program is available for all individuals and families in Nevada that meet its financial and general eligibility requirements. The program also provides assistance to elderly and disabled.

SNAP food stamp benefits are available to people on welfare but not limited to them. Many working individuals and families can qualify to receive SNAP benefits. In fact, many families are already receiving these benefits and enjoying a healthier life.

SNAP also requires adults in the household to enroll to employment and training program. However, if an adult is exempted from work by state or federation, the work rules will not apply. For all other individuals, it is mandatory to abide by the work rules and be available for work. Those receiving an appropriate employment opportunity should be ready to accept.

If you qualify to receive SNAP benefits, you will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. You can use this EBT card to purchase food from authorized retailers. Your monthly benefit amount will be loaded to your EBT card on a pre-defined date.

You can buy food and seeds if you need to grow them to feed your family. You can't buy alcoholic beverages, hot food, cigarettes, or household supplies your SNAP benefits. Similarly, you can't use your SNAP benefits to buy pet food. Food that can be consumed in the store is also out of SNAP food list. However, you can buy bakery items with your EBT card.

The amount of SNAP benefits depends on your household size and monthly income left after deducting allowable expenses. To be sure about amount of SNAP benefits, you will have to apply for the program. However, to get information on your eligibility, you can use Screening Tool available at Food USA website (http://www.foodusa.org/).

To apply for SNAP benefits, you can visit your local Welfare Center. You can also download the application and mail/fax it. You will have to provide different information in the application to prove your eligibility. You will be required to produce various documents at the interview.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive SNAP benefits in Nevada, you must meet the following eligibility requirements.

• You must be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien
• You must provide Social Security Number or proof that you've applied for it. You must provide the same for all members of the household. If you don't provide it for any household members, they will be ineligible to receive SNAP benefits but their income will count for total household income.
• You must meet income and resources guidelines.
• You must meet work requirements and agree to work.

You can determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements or not through online SNAP pre-screening tool. You can access the tool by clicking here. However, the pre-screening tool only provides screening for your information and it doesn't make you eligible to receive benefits if the tool says so.

Being eligible for SNAP doesn't bar you from receiving additional food benefits. In fact, you can qualify for USDA state Food Distribution Program if your income is very low. Similarly, school age children receiving SNAP benefits may also receive additional benefits through programs such as School Lunch and School Breakfast. Women, children and Infants can receive additional benefits through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

In case you receive benefits from Indian Reservation (IR) food program, you will not be able to qualify for SNAP in Nevada. Similarly, if you receive SSI benefits from a cash-out state, you will not be eligible to apply for SNAP benefits in Nevada.

Work requirements for individual adults

If you don't have children and you are between the age of 18 and 49 years, you will have to work for at least 20 hours a week to receive SNAP benefits in Nevada. You will also have to meet some other work requirements for Nevada residents. If you don't meet these requirements, you will only receive SNAP benefits for three months during every three year period.

There are various exceptions to this rule. For example, if you live in a country with high unemployment rate, you may receive regular SNAP benefits despite failing to meet work-related requirements. Similarly, if you are exempted from SNAP employment and training program for some other reason, then this eligibility rule will not apply to you.

Income Requirements

To receive SNAP benefits in state of Nevada, your gross and net income must be within income limits as defined by the program. Your gross income will be your total earned income before any tax deductions while the income left after deductions is your net income. For household with at least one person with disability, the gross income limit is waived. They will only have to meet net income limits.

Click here to view the Gross and Net income Chart. Match your income against the appropriate household size. However, if you categorically qualify for SNAP benefits because you are SSI or TANF beneficiary, you won't have to meet compare your income to SNAP income chart. You will automatically meet income requirements for SNAP.

When computing your income, you can deduct up to $208 from your income as standard deduction. Similarly, if you're working, you can deduct 20% from gross income. The child care payments are also excluded when counting your income. You are also allowed shelter costs up to $459, including rent and any mortgage repayments you are making.

Resources/Assets requirement

You will also have to meet some requirements related to your assets or resources. Most families can have assets up to $2000 except for families with disabled or elderly. Households with an elderly or disabled person can have total assets up to $3,200.

When counting your assets, you should not include your income producing property or your home. Any personal items such as household goods, clothes, furniture etc are also excluded from resources/assets. Your primary vehicle is also excluded but it will be counted as an asset if it values more than $4,650. Similarly, your bank accounts including savings and current, stocks, bonds and deposit certificates are also counted as assets.

Food Stamps Application Instructions

Apply in Person

You can apply in person at your local Welfare Office. Click here to find directions for your local office.

Apply by Mail or Fax

To apply through mail or fax, you can get your application from your local Welfare Office or click here to download one.

You can mail or fax your applications to Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. However, if you have faxed your application to the Division, you will have to bring the original application when coming for an interview.

At the time of making an application, you will be required to provide your drivers license or any other valid ID and Social Security Card. If you don't have received Social Security Card yet, you will have to bring proof that you've applied for the card. You'll also require to provide proof of your income so that your financial eligibility can be determined. Proof of child support payments, rent and mortgage payments, documents related to your assets, and un-reimbursed medical bills may also be required during application filing as well as interview.

Apply for emergency SNAP benefits

The usual time before you receive SNAP benefits may extend up to 30 days. If your household is facing a financial emergency and left with little or no money, you can apply for emergency SNAP aid. You will get benefits within seven days of making the application.