Traveling For Food Stamps: State-By-State Access

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that is run on the state level. This means that you can use your SNAP card in any state or US territory, but you must apply for it in the state where you live. If you move to a different state, you need to close your case in the state you are moving from and then apply for a new case in your new state.

Closing your case in your old state

If you are moving to a different state, you must close your case with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, previously known as "food stamps") in your old state. Here is a step-by-step guide to closing your case:

• Contact your local SNAP office: Typically, you cannot close your SNAP case online. While the office may be willing to mail forms to you, you usually must go to the office in person to request your case be closed.
• Call the office and explain your move: Inform your local SNAP office that you are moving to a different state and that you want to close your case. Follow their instructions to ensure your case is closed properly. If your case isn't closed in your old state, it may be difficult to get benefits in your new state.
• Start the process early: Try to begin the process of closing your case a week or two before you move. Although they should be able to close your case immediately, this gives you some time in case any issues arise.
• Complete a change report form: In some states, you may be required to fill out a form reporting your change in residence before your case can be closed. You may have to go into the office and fill out this form in person. Alternatively, in some states, you can download the form online and mail it in, or have the office mail it to you.
• Request a letter verifying your case was closed: Ask for an official letter stating that your case was closed, as this may enable you to open a case more smoothly in your new state. This letter should include the exact date your case was closed and the amount of benefits, if any, that remained available to you after that date.
• Use your remaining benefits: If you have any remaining benefits after your case is closed, you can still use them, even if you open a case in another state. Your SNAP Electronics Benefit Transfer (EBT) card can be used in any US state or territory.

Remember, it is illegal to receive SNAP benefits in more than one state, so properly closing your case in your old state is crucial. Once you have completed these steps, you can then open a new case in your new state.

Opening a new case in your new state

If you move to a different state, you’ll need to open a new case after you move. Here are the steps to do that:

• Locate the local SNAP office: Once you've moved to your new state, you must re-apply for SNAP benefits using the application forms and procedures in that state. You may be able to apply online, but you may need to go to the local office for an interview. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a map of SNAP office locations nationwide. You can find the SNAP office nearest to you by going to https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory and clicking on your state. You can also call your state's SNAP hotline. The USDA has a list of these numbers available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/state-informationhotline-numbers.
• Gather documents to complete your application: The information required for the SNAP application will be much the same as what you had to provide in your old state. You'll need recent pay stubs, your Social Security card, a rental or mortgage statement, and a list of household resources. While some states have done away with the resources test, others have not. If you're moving from a state that didn't use a resources test to a state that does, this could affect your eligibility. Make a list of any bank or investment accounts you have and the resources in those. You may want to familiarize yourself with the types of property that are typically excluded from eligibility calculations. For example, retirement accounts are not included as countable resources.
• Submit your local application: In some states, you can file your initial application for SNAP benefits online. You can also go to the local SNAP office in person, or call your state's hotline number. When you submit your application, a SNAP worker will contact you for an interview. Bring all your documents with you if you go to your local SNAP office to submit your application. You may be called in for an interview immediately.
• Attend your interview: You may be asked to come into your local SNAP office for an interview, or you may be interviewed over the phone. If you're interviewed over the phone, you'll still have to bring documents to verify your income and identity to the SNAP office. At the interview, a SNAP worker will discuss the program with you and verify your income and citizenship status. They'll go over the amount of benefits you're eligible for and how those benefits will be delivered to you, as well as answer any questions you might have. If the SNAP worker has decided you are ineligible, they will explain why. You'll have an opportunity to provide additional information or documentation to demonstrate your eligibility.
• Provide your closure letter: The SNAP worker in your new state will want to verify that you are no longer receiving benefits in your old state. The closure letter you got from your previous SNAP office should suffice. You may also volunteer to sign an affidavit affirming that you are not still receiving benefits from your old state. If you moved in the middle of the month, your benefits may be pro-rated in your new state, at least for the first month.

Using your SNAP EBT card in any state

If you are planning a trip to another state, you can use your SNAP EBT card to make purchases while you are away. The SNAP program, previously known as Food Stamps, offers assistance to families in need. Benefits are loaded monthly onto the recipient's Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.

The EBT card will work in any US state or territory, but not outside the United States. It is important to note that if you are travelling, you can continue to use your benefits from your home state. However, if you are moving permanently to another state, you will need to close your benefits in your current state and reapply as a new resident in the state you are moving to. This is because SNAP is a federal program that is run on the state level, so you must apply through your nearest state agency to receive benefits.

If you are travelling, it is worth noting that laws can vary from state to state. For example, some states allow elderly and disabled residents to use their EBT cards at certain restaurants, but this may not be the case in all states. Before travelling, it is a good idea to use the USDA's Retailer Locator to identify shops in the area that accept EBT cards.

Additionally, if you plan to be away from your home state for more than 30 days, you may encounter difficulties using your EBT card. In this case, it is recommended to check the residency rules of the state you are travelling to. If you have no plans to return to your home state, you will need to close your benefits there and apply as a new resident in the state you are moving to.

Applying for SNAP in the state you live in

To apply for SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live. Each state has a different application form and process, so a member of your household must contact your state agency directly to apply. You can contact your state agency by visiting your local SNAP office, visiting your state agency's website, or calling your state's toll-free SNAP Information hotline. Some states allow you to file your initial application for SNAP benefits online, while others require you to go to the local SNAP office in person or call the hotline.

During the application process, you will need to complete an eligibility interview and provide proof of the information you provided. The interview is typically done over the phone or in person. You will also need to provide documents to verify your income and identity, such as recent pay stubs, your Social Security card, a rental or mortgage statement, and a list of household resources. If you are found eligible, you will receive SNAP benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card.

If you are moving to a different state, you will need to close your SNAP case in your current state and open a new case in your new state. You must first contact your local SNAP office and follow their instructions on closing your case properly. You may need to fill out a change report form and request a letter verifying that your case was closed. After moving, you must re-apply for SNAP benefits in your new state, using the application forms and procedures specific to that state.

Proving your residency location

To prove your residency location for food stamps, or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), you will need to submit documentation that shows where you live. This is a mandatory requirement.

The specific documents required to prove residency will vary depending on your circumstances. For example, if you are renting, you could provide a current lease or rent receipt that includes your full legal name and address. If you own your home, you could submit mortgage records or homeowner's insurance. If you are unable to provide these, other documents that show your address will be considered, such as:

• A letter from your landlord
• A voter registration card
• A library card
• Utility bills
• A letter from a source outside your household verifying your address

If you are unable to provide any of the above, you may be able to use a letter from a collateral contact (someone who knows you) to verify your address.

In some cases, you may not be required to prove your residency. For example, if you are recently moved to the area, are homeless, or are a migrant farm worker, the SNAP office should be flexible and will not need to verify your address if it is not reasonably possible to do so.

If you are applying for CalFresh benefits in California, you will need to apply in the county in which you live. You cannot participate as a member of more than one household or in more than one county in any given month. There are no durational residency requirements, and you do not need to prove that you intend to reside in the county permanently.

Frequently asked questions