SNAP
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/programs-services/food-supplement
SNAP is a federal benefit administered through the state of Maine, which provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
MMCC will help submit the SNAP application for all new refugees.
Eligibility
Eligibility requirements are somewhat complex so if in doubt, please help your person apply.
All United States Citizens and any children born in the United States as well as refugees are eligible. Asylum seekers may be eligible if they have children.
Other people eligible include:
- Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence
- Asylees
- Parolees
- Deportation Withheld
- Conditional Entrants
- Cuban or Haitian Entrants
- Battered Non-Citizens
- Refugees
- Trafficking Victims
- Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrants
To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. In Maine applications are submitted through DHHS.
Click here for an application.
To receive SNAP benefits there are two sets of work requirements, the general work requirements and the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) work requirements.
The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.
Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) can receive SNAP for only 3 months in a 3-year period if they do not meet certain work requirements. To learn more about ABAWD requirements and exemptions visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service SNAP Work Requirements page.
If you receive SNAP benefits you may also be eligible to participate in Maine SNAP-Ed or the Maine SNAP E&T programs. In SNAP-Ed, participants receive nutrition education services with helpful information on how to eat healthy on a budget. Learn more about SNAP-Ed or sign up for a class. SNAP E&T helps connect SNAP participants with job training and education. There are lots of opportunities available at no cost. Learn more about SNAP E&T
SNAP benefits are issued to an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card known as the “Blue Card”. Both SNAP and TANF benefits are issued to the same EBT card.
Click here for important information about the EBT card.
Monthly SNAP Issuance Schedule
Benefits are made available from the 10th to the 14th of every month, based on the last digit of the recipient’s birth day:
- Birth day ends in: 0 or 9 = benefits available on the 10th of the month
- Birth day ends in: 1 or 8 = benefits available on the 11th of the month
- Birth day ends in: 2 or 3 = benefits available on the 12th of the month
- Birth day ends in: 4 or 7 = benefits available on the 13th of the month
- Birth day ends in: 5 or 6 = benefits available on the 14th of the month
*For example, if you were born on the 10th, 20th, or 30th of a month, you would receive benefits on the 10th of the month. If you were born on the 1st, 11th, 21st, or 31st of a month, you would receive benefits on the 11th of the month.
Food Supplement Purchase
- All food supplement transactions are free.
- Use your food supplement benefit account to purchase food. You cannot get cash back from your food supplement account.
- Remember, you can only buy allowable food items with your food benefits.
- If the store does not have an EBT machine, or if the machine is not working, they may use a paper voucher. Do not write your PIN on the voucher.
** When swiping the EBT card at a store it is important to make the right selection. Select FOOD to use the SNAP benefit and CASH to use the TANF benefit. If you use both a food supplement benefit account (SNAP) and a cash benefit account (TANF) at the store, it will be necessary to swipe your card through the machine two times and to enter your PIN two times. . In most cases, you would select FOOD first, to apply the SNAP benefit, and then select Cash, to apply the TANF benefit for the other acceptable items.
Use your SNAP EBT card at Farmers’ Markets. SNAP benefits can be used at many farm stands and farmers' markets to purchase food directly from the farmers who produced them.
Most markets process SNAP EBT payments just like credit cards and have a clearly marked table (often called the information booth) where you can pay for purchases and ask questions.
Note: At some markets, EBT and credit/debit card customers are given tokens to use for their shopping. Others give customers a list of the market vendors to keep track of purchases and pay at the end.
For more detailed information about local farmers’ markets and how to use your SNAP and Harvest Bucks benefits at the farmers’ market click here.
You will also find a list of all farmers markets in the state that accept SNAP EBT cards here.
Stretch your SNAP/EBT dollars. The Maine Harvest Bucks program gives you BONUS BUCKS to buy fresh fruits and vegetables when you spend your SNAP/EBT dollars on local food. Many farm stands, farmers' markets, and some co-ops and health food stores offer bonus dollars to shoppers who use SNAP. Learn more about the Maine Harvest Bucks program and find locations where you can get them here.
Other Useful Links:
Information about benefits for asylum seekers: