Blog Post #12: SNAP benefits
This week’s post will be a little different, but it may be useful!
“SNAP” is the acronym for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. It is more commonly known as food stamps. For those who do not know, it is a government service that provides people who are eligible, with money to buy groceries. There is also a Senior SNAP program, that services people aged 60 or older. You cannot use SNAP benefits to purchase non-food items, and you cannot use the benefits to buy certain consumable products, like alcohol.
Personal story time: I was on SNAP benefits when I was in college in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was my last year in my bachelor’s program (2015-2016), and I was living on my own in a small apartment near the campus. I was working in a foodservice job while going to classes, and I was living paycheck to paycheck. With all of my bills to pay, I was not able to save money for emergencies, or have any money left over for fun spending. I made the decision to apply for SNAP benefits to help me save some money. Thankfully, there was an office in my college town, so I applied in person.
To be honest, it was one of the best decisions I made during that time of my life. I honestly wished I applied for SNAP benefits sooner. I was eligible, and I was given a monthly allowance of roughly $200 for groceries. For a single woman with no roommates, $200 went very far for one month. The best part about SNAP benefits, is the money rolled over if you did not use it at the end of the month. So if I used only $100 one month, the remaining balance would roll over to the next month, and I would have $300 to spend the next month! I used my SNAP benefits to purchase snacks or food items for friend gatherings, which helped my friends out as well. Thanks to SNAP benefits, I had roughly $200 from my paycheck to move around in my budget, or to put into a savings account. With the help of SNAP, I was able to stop worrying about money. I had nothing in my savings account before I applied, but when I (finally) graduated with my bachelor’s degree, I had roughly $5,000 in savings within the one year of being on benefits.
I was also able to eat healthy meals thanks to SNAP benefits. My go-to meal in college was spaghetti. It was a cheap meal, and I was able to have food for at least two or three meals. I was able to buy vegetable noodles or whole wheat noodles, I was able to add spinach to the meal, and I was able to buy beef/turkey meatballs for protein. Any add-ons like cheese, pesto, olives, or butter were covered under SNAP benefits, so I was able to make a hearty and healthy meal without worrying about my spending.
I have spoken very highly about SNAP benefits for years, and I have encouraged my family and friends to look and see if SNAP benefits would be helpful for them. I was on the benefits for my last year of college, but when I moved out of the state of Mississippi, I ended my benefits. I could not take Mississippi benefits across state lines to Georgia, so I would have had to re-apply for benefits in Georgia to continue the service. However, I did not need SNAP once I graduated. I see the benefits as a helpful tool, and when I no longer needed it, I stopped using the service. However, some households may need this assistance for longer periods of time, and that is okay! As long as you qualify for the assistance, then there is no harm done. I recommend to always check and see if there are any updates when you re-apply. Plus, I was on the program almost a decade ago, so many guidelines may have changed since then. The amounts of money allowed for each household may have changed since 2015 as well!
To apply for SNAP, you will need to provide many documents to show you qualify. For example, you will need to prove your identity, citizenship, employment status, household income, as well as household expenses. You can apply in person like I did, but you can also apply by mail or online. Once you send it your application, you will have an interview with a Case Manager. You can do this interview in person or over the phone. Finally, when you get through all of that, you will get your EBT card within 30 days.
Since I am registered and licensed to practice dietetics in the state of Georgia, here is the website for Georgia’s SNAP program. Go to this website for more details: https://georgia.gov/georgia-snap-benefits
Please check your state guidelines for SNAP benefits if you do not live in Georgia.
Practical Ways Towards “Peachy” Living
1) Go and see if SNAP benefits are right for you and your family!
