SNAP provides monthly benefits that help low-income households buy the food they need. SNAP is a federal program operating at a local level through the Mississippi Department of Human Services. Nationally, SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. Benefits are provided on an easy-to-use Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be swiped at the store.
Do I qualify?
Those who qualify for SNAP include, persons who:
- work for low wages,
- are unemployed, or work part-time,
- receive TANF, SSI, or other assistance payments,
- are elderly or disabled and live on a small income,
How Can I Determine If I Am Eligible?
Use of a SNAP pre-screening tool, available through the Common Web Portal, does not determine a household’s eligibility for SNAP, but can be used to give you an idea of how eligibility is determined.
How do I apply?
Applications for SNAP benefits are available here in English (PDF), En Español – Spanish (PDF), or Tiếng Việt – Vietnamese (PDF), or you may request an application by phone, in person, by fax, or by mail from your county office or you can apply online at the Common Web Portal or the MyMDHS website.
Income Guidelines
The number of benefits provided by SNAP is determined by household income. If your monthly income is below or equal to the following numbers, then you may qualify for SNAP:
| wdt_ID | Family Members | Maximum Monthly Income (before taxes) | Maximum Monthly Income (after taxes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | $1,473 | $1,113 |
| 2 | 2 | $1,984 | $1,526 |
| 3 | 3 | $2,495 | $1,920 |
| 4 | 4 | $3,007 | $2,313 |
| 5 | 5 | $3,518 | $2,706 |
| 6 | |||
| 7 | |||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 |
(130% of poverty level)
*These numbers are subject to change. All numbers are accurate as of October 2022
Document verification for eligibility checklist
This checklist gives examples of the information that may have to be verified to determine your eligibility for SNAP and/or TANF. Use this checklist to help you gather the items needed for your interview.
- Identity of person making application and authorized representative, if applicable
- Divorce decree marriage license, death certificate for spouse
- Proof of relationship of children to you (TANF only)
- Alien Status for any non-U.S. citizen
- Checking or savings account, or union or bank statement
- Names, addresses, Social Security numbers, and places of employment of the absent parent(s) of your children
- Trust funds
- Medical expenses for anyone age 60 or older or disabled
- Stocks and/or savings bonds
- Social Security number for all individuals
- Proof of where you live
- Property owned, sold, or transferred
- Pregnancy
- Dependent care (child/disabled or aged dependent care)
- Rent and Utility expenses
- Income
If you have any current medical documentation to verify a current medical condition, please bring it to your appointment. At the time of your interview, you may be asked to furnish additional information and/or verification, depending on your circumstances.
Reporting Household Changes
To ensure you maintain your benefits you are required to report any changes within 10 days of the household becomes aware of the change. If the household fails to report a required change and receives extra SNAP benefits, the value of these benefits will have to be repaid. The person could also be prosecuted for fraud. Click here for a list of reporting changes.
How and Where Can you Use SNAP:
How:
Your benefits will be distributed onto an Electronic Benefits Card (EBT).
Where:
Like a credit card, your EBT can be used to buy “staple food” items at most grocery stores and some online retailers.
EBT stands for Electronic Benefits Transfer. It is a way of delivering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without paper coupons. Using a plastic card that works like a debit card, recipients may access their benefits at retail Point-of-Sale (POS) devices. Each Mississippi SNAP Benefit household will be issued an EBT card. If you have any issues with your card please call Cardholder Assistance at 866-512-5087. For additional information about your EBT card please click here
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed)
The purpose of SNAP-Ed is to provide education to individuals to help improve their dietary practices and ability to manage food resources. SNAP-Ed is free and available to all age groups participating in SNAP.
MDHS partners with Mississippi State University Extension Service to operate the Happy Healthy Mississippi Program.
The Happy Healthy Mississippi Program helps SNAP recipients learn to:
- Cook healthy meals themselves
- Handle food safely
- Save money on groceries
- Read food labels in the grocery store
- Be more active
- And more…
*If you are eligible for SNAP then you are also eligible for SNAP-Ed
Visit www.HappyHealthy.ms for resources, recipes, or to connect with an educator.
Administrative Hearing
If a SNAP beneficiary disagrees with the county office’s decision about their benefits, they can request an administrative hearing as part of the SNAP application process. This ensures that the process is fair and in accordance with federal guidelines.
Helpful Resources & Websites
*Links open to sites outside of MDHS.ms.gov
USDA Food and Nutrition Service website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program
Benefits.Gov website: https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/361
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website: https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
Benefits issuance schedule- mississippi-issuance.pdf (azureedge.us)
Employment and Education Resources
Workforce Development and Partnership Management
FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
Family Services
Child Care Payment Assistance Program
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Food and Nutrition Resources
Need Assistance?
For questions about your SNAP case, contact your caseworker directly. For county office information click here.
For additional assistance, please call TANF/SNAP support at 800.948.3050.
Nondiscrimination Statement
If you have difficulty understanding this form because you do not speak English or have a disability, please contact us at 1-800-948-3050. Free language assistance or other aids and services are available upon request.
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