Food Stamps for Native Americans

Native Americans who need assistance obtaining food may qualify for the federal food stamp program, which is called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The program is available every state and is open to anyone who needs help obtaining food, including Native Americans. Those who have a low income or need the additional assistance may qualify to receive the monthly grant.

There are millions of people around the country who receive SNAP benefits each month. The federally funded program is the largest one in the country that helps to fight hunger, by providing people with the food assistance that they need. The program works with a variety of local organizations, such as churches and nutrition educators, to ensure that those who need help obtaining food are able to get it.

Here are some important things to know about food stamps for Native Americans:

• Those who are approved for the food stamp program, or SNAP, will receive a monthly grant that does not have to be paid back. The grant is used to purchase food each month. You can use the food stamps at any grocery store or farmer’s market that accepts them as payment for goods.
• Food stamps can be used to purchase a wide variety of foods, including breads, cereals, produce, meat, fish, dairy products, soft drinks, cookies and crackers, and seeds and plants that will be used for gardening to grow food. There are some items you cannot purchase with food stamps, which include alcohol, pet foods, household supplies, vitamins, hot foods, and foods that will be eaten in the store.
• There are eligibility requirements that Native Americans will need to meet in order to be approved for food stamps. They include meeting the low income requirements. They will also review your monthly expenses. Most states do also require that you be a citizen or legal alien. If you are a non-citizen you have to have been in the country for at least five years, be receiving disability benefits, or have children ages 18 and under. You may still be approved for food stamps even if you have up to $2,250 in cash resources. Also, there are some things that are not considered when making the determination if you qualify, which includes your home and pension plans.
• You have to apply for food stamps within the state that you live. Every state offers food stamps for Native Americans, with it being available through either your local social services office or through your local Tribal Office.
• Once you submit an application for food stamps, it generally takes around 30 days before you find out if you are approved or not. During that time, you will need to attend an eligibility interview and provide proof or verification of the items that they request. Depending on the circumstances, some people are approved for food stamps within 7 days.
• If you are approved for food stamps, they will tell you how long you will be able to receive it. Once that period is up, you will need to re-apply for the food stamps if you wish to continue receiving the benefit. Those who are approved will receive what looks like a debit card, where their grant will be electronically added each month.

There are food stamps for Native Americans in every state in the country. You can apply online in most states, as well as in person. To apply for food stamps, find your local office where it is administered, or contact your Tribal Office to see if you can apply there. Once you find your local office where it is administered you can use the pre-screening tool that is online to see if you qualify for food stamps. If you qualify, you can apply and wait for their decision on whether or not you will receive them.

Those who are in need of food assistance will benefit from the federal food stamp program. The program has been designed to help Native Americans, and others, be able to obtain the food assistance they need. Millions of stores around the country take food stamps, giving you an easy and convenient way to shop for food and be able to pay for it using your SNAP card.