Why Should You Consider Applying for SNAP?

We know you “make enough” that you do not want to apply for SNAP or EBT. The question is, what happens when you are not secure enough, and you go weeks waiting for the application approval? And what does “make enough” even mean?

Contrary to widely held belief, SNAP and EBT are not the same things. Before we tell you why you should apply to them, we will differentiate them for you and help destigmatize them.

Food Assistance Exists in Many forms

Sometimes getting food assistance, or any assistance in general, can be confusing. We want to help explain some of these confusing bits in a way that is digestible and informative

What is SNAP and what is EBT? Aren’t they the same thing?

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and EBT means Electronic Benefits Transfer. When looking at poverty and government assistance, many think it’s an all-or-nothing scenario. The truth is that it is very different from that. Much like elementary through high school students who qualified for free, reduced, or full-priced meals, assistance programs in the US are designed to help people stay above and away from abject poverty at every level.

In Arizona, the US census estimates that roughly 12.8% of the population is in poverty, which is a different number from those that are considered to be food insecure (more on this later). The way these funds are transferred from the government to the user using the funds is something called an EBT card. However, the EBT card is not just for SNAP. It can include EBT cash/TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), which is additional money from the government to families and individuals who could use further cash assistance. While SNAP is used for unprepared foods, seeds/edible plants, and specific freshly butchered or caught livestock, TANF is used to purchase other things that a family or individual to necessitate daily survival and help get people back into the workforce.

Exciting things you can use SNAP on in Arizona and nationwide

Arizona participates in a program called SNAP RMP, or SNAP Restaurant Meal Program, which allows some users to use SNAP benefits at participating restaurants. This program was designed for our nation’s most qualified, the houseless, elderly, and disabled, to have good quality nutritious foods at “concessional prices.”

Nationwide, people can use SNAP benefits to purchase edible plants and seeds to grow their foods. At Manzanita, small local farms are the backbone of a community and the only way to help reduce food insecurity. With programs like this, food becomes accessible to everyone, and you don’t have to rely on the overly processed foods in stores that supply minimal nutritional benefits.

Let us destigmatize SNAP

You may not want to apply for SNAP, which is your choice! But we want to ensure you have all the information to make an informed decision. So, please keep reading; we will help break down some stigmas associated with assistance.

Stigmas do little to add value to society

As Michelle Obama once said, “Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness- it’s a sign of strength.”

Your check engine light comes on. What do you do? Some people choose to ignore it, and sometimes they are fine. Some people choose to act and discover something important that must be fixed. Finally, some people ignore it and end up breaking down on the road and require significant assistance. Regardless of whether someone chose to get it checked or not, in all three scenarios, the service to check and see what was wrong was free. However, getting help is a bit more complicated and expensive once you break down on the road.

That is the same way we should view SNAP. Applying and being on SNAP is knowing that you always have that service to support you if your check engine light comes on. And if you think you could use a bit more help, it makes it easier and more accessible to everyone. Are they the best and the authority on what is wrong? Nope, but they provide you with a fix or diagnostic until you can get things sorted on your own.

SNAP and EBT were designed to help those who would benefit from a bit of a bump. Here are some things that should help break and address the stigmas.

SNAP is NOT a sign of failure:

Like the check engine light, are you a failure for requiring assistance? Some things are out of our control, and it does not determine a person’s value or capabilities. For example, did you know that 60% of adults will be below the poverty threshold at one point in their lifetime? That’s six out of every ten people…and that number is projected to continue to increase.

SNAP is NOT ONLY for people with no income:

Most people who are qualified for SNAP and EBT are working. In 1975 8% of Americans were on government food assistance programs, which steadily rose until the 15% today that use assistance. These statistics correlate not with personal decisions but with the flux of politics and the economy. Most people who are on SNAP are those who work part-time or hold multiple jobs. According to a 2013 study, 64% of the adults worked most of the time while receiving SNAP, and over 1/3 of the observed adults worked every month while receiving assistance.

What will my kids, family, and peers think?

Pride is important, and we do not want to tell you otherwise. However, it is essential to know that most families will be happy to know that you have food and will not have to worry about it. And as for your peers, they would not see the difference unless you tell them. With EBT cards, buying groceries is a lot simpler and more part of mainstream commerce than the food stamp booklets that used to be around. When using your EBT card, there is no reason to announce you are using it, unlike choosing between credit and debit in some cases. Even with easy access to websites and apps like Amazon and Instacart, offering EBT/SNAP services means you can do all your shopping online, and no one would be any wiser. Just make sure that the retailer accepts EBT before beginning a purchase. Most stores post a sign at the entrance to indicate this.

There IS assistance available for immigrants.

We want your citizenship to be independent of whether you get to eat or not. In many cases, there is assistance for you if you are not a citizen. If your immigration status is in question, it does not mean you cannot get help, but here is a link that might better explain it for you. Please know that you will be asked about immigration status in Arizona, but it doesn’t fully determine eligibility. Non-citizens who are eligible based on their immigration status must also meet other SNAP eligibility requirements such as income and resource limits. Learn more here.

Why should I apply?

We started this whole post with the premise that you should apply if you believe that you are eligible. Looking at the pandemic both globally and nationally, food shortages and other types of gaps in service- no restaurants to order food or food delivery systems, the pandemic should have been a wake-up call to the gaps within our society about the direct access to food. Regarding illnesses, scientists and doctors all agree that your diet can make or break your health.

However, it is not all about just making sure you have a proper diet (even though that is a BIG reason we think everyone eligible should apply); it is also about ensuring that we have the necessary food, skills, and means to ensure that everyone has the proper access to food. For example, during World War I and II, victory gardens ensured that neighborhoods and communities always had fresh fruit and vegetables and helped the communities to become self-sufficient. This sort of program also took the pressure off the government and reduced government spending. In addition, victory gardens allowed the government to focus on more programs to help the local and greater population.

With 1 in 9 people and 1 in 6 children, on average, in Arizona facing food insecurity, more gardens like the victory gardens that become self-sufficient after the initial assistance from the government, the better it will be. In 1944 victory gardens contributed 40% of the nation’s fresh produce, with more than 18 million victory gardens nationally.

SNAP also saves people money by providing them with the necessary assistance to feed their families. Government assistance to feed individuals and families means the funds that would otherwise be spent on necessities are saved to help the economy and secure a better future.

SNAP Eligibility

It might be surprising to know who qualifies for SNAP. The amount of assistance that one can get is dependent on several factors, namely one’s monthly income. Below, find the general information to determine what you may be eligible for based on the USDA requirements for SNAP. All guideline levels are based on information provided by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation and should not be taken as true as all departments use their metrics to determine levels of assistance depending on the program. All food benefit numbers have been taken from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Look at the sections highlighted in blue, if your monthly and yearly income falls below those two limits, then there is a high chance you qualify for SNAP. As with everything, additional requirements must be met and certain guidelines may change as they are unique state by state. But for DC and the 48 contiguous states (excluding territories, Alaska, and Hawaii) these are the guidelines that the US follows.

Why do I keep getting denied for SNAP?

We are sorry to hear that your application keeps getting denied. If you are unsure as to why your application is getting denied, below are some reasons why it might occur. However, please note that you can appeal the decision and submit all documentation and a letter to your local SNAP agency or department that handles human services.

Citizenship/Residency

In general, SNAP is for US citizens. However, the government recognizes that extenuating circumstances exist. To see if you are an eligible non-citizen, check the website here. To apply for SNAP in your state, you must be a resident for a designated period and must supply documentation to support this.

Work

In some states, Able-Bodied Adults without Dependants (ABAWD) are required to work at least 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month unless the limit has been withdrawn with Federal permission. It’s best to ask your local state office though. However, if you have a minor (even if pregnant during any trimester) in Arizona or are exempted then the ABAWD requirement does not apply.

Income/Assets

If your income or assets limit exceeds the table above, then there is a high probability your application may be denied.

Missed Interview/Documents

Most states require applicants to talk to a caseworker as part of the application process. In this interview, the case worker will go over all the documents you submitted. If you are missing any documents there is a chance your application could be denied. Make sure you have submitted all your documents before the interview. There is a chance that you could be asked to provide additional documentation, but that won’t necessarily be the cause of your application being denied, just extended.

SNAP Fraud

If you have been convicted of SNAP Fraud (misuse of SNAP funds, lying on the application in any regard, selling your benefits for cash, or receiving benefits in more than one state) then your ability to obtain SNAP benefits may be temporarily or permanently suspended.

How do I apply for SNAP/Food Stamps in Arizona?

If you decide to apply for SNAP or TANF, we want to help make the process easier for you. While the rules vary state by state and county by county (as the poverty threshold is determined by several factors that are vastly different depending on location), there are some links and resources that can help make the process easier.

This website helps to show how eligibility is determined and the process the government goes through to determine the amount you would qualify for. It is a great resource that helps to demystify the process and provides a general ballpark of what you could get to assist you.

The state government sponsors this Arizona website. It can help guide you in determining if you qualify according to Arizona’s metrics.

It can take up to 30 days for your application to be processed and to receive funds and an EBT card.

If you decide to apply for SNAP in Arizona, you can complete your SNAP application here. If you should require food assistance and do not qualify for SNAP or TANF, please reach out to your local community action organizations or food pantries as many do not have an income limit or are willing to assist individuals and families further. If you are in the Cottonwood, Arizona area please check out our website www.mohelp.org for the nearest food share location.