Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a monthly benefit to help low-income households purchase nutritious food.

Additional SNAP benefits include:

• Employment and training supports through SNAP E&T
• Free nutrition education classes through SNAP-Ed
• Bonus dollars to spend on local fruits and vegetables with Maine Harvest Bucks and Farm Fresh Rewards

Am I Eligible?

SNAP is available to any Maine resident who qualifies based on their income, household composition, certain expenses and other criteria. If you aren't sure if you are eligible, use the Prescreening Tool at My Maine Connection or just apply! OFI is required to make a decision on every application received. 

Next Steps

What happens after I submit an application?

Once your application is received, OFI has 30 days to make a decision. We will reach out to you for more information by phone and by letter, if necessary:

All applicants are required to complete an interview. This can be done via phone or in person. An Eligibility Specialist will review your application information with you and make sure they have everything needed to make a decision.

You will also be asked to provide verification of your identity, household income, and other items depending on your household circumstances within 10 days, outlined in a letter. If you are having trouble providing the requested verification, contact us for help. 

What happens after a decision is made?

We will send a letter called a Notice of Decision explaining why you were or were not approved within 30 days.

• If approved, the letter will include your monthly SNAP benefit amount. Additionally, if you never had an EBT card, you will receive one in the mail within 5-7 days of the decision.
• If denied, you may be able to provide further information to change the decision within 30 days of the denial. You may also request an administrative hearing within 30 days of the denial, as outlined in the Notice of Decision.

What happens if I am found eligible and I want SNAP to continue?

During your certification period, you must submit a six-month report if any member of your household has earned an income, or if any members are 18-59 years old do not have a disabling condition. This report is sent by us and needs to be completed for SNAP to continue. Your Notice of Decision will outline any other circumstances you must report during the certification period. 

SNAP benefit eligibility is renewed every 12 months. To continue receiving benefits at the end of your 12 month certification period, you must complete a renewal form (similar to the application), provide verifications, and complete an interview (with some exceptions).

SNAP Eligibility 

How is eligibility determined?

To determine eligibility, we look at your SNAP household. A household includes anyone you buy and cook most of your meals with. If you live with your spouse and/or your child(ren) under 22, they must be included in your household (even if you do not buy and cook meals with them).

Your household must meet certain requirements to be eligible for SNAP and receive benefits.

We also look at financial resources, assets, and certain expenses for your household. We count income from most sources including cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support. When you apply, tell OFI about any money you earn or that is given to you.

SNAP Income Eligibility Limits

If your household income is below the gross monthly income limit, you may be eligible for SNAP. If your household income is above the gross monthly income limit, you may still be eligible for SNAP under certain circumstances.

Household Size	Gross Monthly Income              (200% of FPL)*	Maximum Monthly SNAP                     Amount*
1	$2,609	$292
2	$3,525	$536
3	$4,442	$768
4	$5,359	$975
5	$6,275	$1,158
6	$7,192	$1,390
7	$8,109	$1,536
8	$9,025	$1,756
Each Additional Member	$917	$220

                                                 * Effective January 15, 2025        *Effective October 1, 2024

How to use SNAP EBT

What can I buy with my SNAP benefits?

Any food for the household, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

You CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and it not eligible for SNAP purchase
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from the water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store)
• Foods that are hot at the point of sale
• Any nonfood items such as pet foods, cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies

Where can I use my SNAP benefits?

In Person:

You can use your SNAP EBT Benefits at any participating retailer including grocery stores, convenience stores, farmers' markets and co-ops. Most stores that accept EBT will display a SNAP or Quest logo. You can also find a store near you that accepts SNAP by entering your zip code in the USDA SNAP Retail Locator.

Online:

You can also purchase eligible food items online at participating retailers using your EBT card.

• SNAP benefits can be used online at participating retailers for delivery or curbside pick-up purchases. A list of participating retailers in Maine is available from the USDA SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot. Some may, also, accept EBT cash.
• SNAP benefits cannot be used for delivery charges.
• Contact your local grocery store to see if they chose curbside pick-up as an option. Any grocer is allowed to purchase wireless EBT equipment which makes curbside pick-up possible.

Protect your identity and benefits when shopping online

Only send your EBT information over a secure network.

Do not use public computers or WiFi such as:

• Libraries,
• Complimentary WiFi at restaurants, or
• Other shared WiFi such as at hotels

Secure your home WiFi by updating your router's password/key

 

More tips are available from the US Federal Trade Commission Online Shopping Security Tips.

• If you are using your cellphone and are not connected to a secure network, use your data plan.

 

Information for Retailers

Current SNAP-eligible retailers interested in participating in online EBT purchase should visit the USDA website for more information, including program requirements and instruction for enrollment. 

What should I do if my benefits are stolen electronically?

1. Have your card disabled and new one issued by calling (800) 477-7428.
2. Change your PIN to one that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
3. File a police report and call the Fraud Hotline at 1-866-348-1129.

What are Work Requirements and Do They Apply to Me or My Household? 

General Work Requirements

If you are age 16-59 and able to work, you will likely need to meet general work requirements to get SNAP benefits. The general work requirements include:

• Registering for work,
• Taking a suitable job if offered,
• Not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.

Am I exempt from the work requirements?

You are excused from the general work requirements if you are any one of these things:

• Working (including self-employed) at least 30 hours a week, or earning wages at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 30 hours ($217.50 per week);
• Meeting work requirements for another program (TANF or unemployment compensation);
• Taking care of a child under six or an incapacitated person;
• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation;
• Participating regularly in a substance use disorder treatment program;
• Studying in school or a training program at least half-time (but college students are subject to other eligibility rules).

What happens if I don't meet the work requirements?

If you have to meet the general work requirements but you don't, you are disqualified from getting SNAP for at least a month and must start meeting the requirements to get SNAP again. If you get back on SNAP and don't meet the requirements again, you are disqualified for longer than a month and you could be disqualified forever. 

Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Requirement and Time Limit

If you are 18-54, able to work, and don't have any dependents, you might need to meet both the general work requirements and an additional work requirement for ABAWDs to get SNAP for more than three months in three years (the time limit).

You can meet the ABAWD work requirement by doing any one of these things:

• Work at least 80 hours a month. Work can be for pay, for goods or services (for something other than money), unpaid, or as a volunteer;
• Participate in a work program for at least 80 hours a month. A work program could be a qualifying component of SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) or another federal, state, or local work program. Please note, SNAP E&T supports are only available to individuals receiving SNAP;
• Participate in a combination of work and work program hours for a total of at least 80 hours a month;
• Participate in a workfare for the number of hours assigned to you each month (the number of hours will depend on the amount of your SNAP benefit).

Am I exempt from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit?

You are excused from the ABAWD work requirement and time limit if you are any one of these things:

• Unable to work due to a physical or mental limitation;
• Pregnant;
• Have someone under 18 in your SNAP household;
• Excused from the general work requirements (see above);
• A veteran;
• Experiencing homelessness;
• Age 24 or younger and were in foster care on your 18th birthday;
• Living in certain geographic regions that have high unemployment rate (see SNAP 999-2).

What happens if I don't meet the ABAWD work requirement?

If you have to meet the ABAWD work requirement but you don't you will lose your benefits after three months. To get SNAP again, you must meet the ABAWD work requirement for a 30-day period or become excused. Otherwise, you will need to wait until the end of your three-year period, when you'll get another three months under the time limit.

I am a Post Secondary Student - Am I Eligible for SNAP?

Generally, students attending an institution of higher education (I.e., college, university, trade/technical school) more than 'half-time' are only eligible for SNAP if they meet an exemption. The institution of higher education determines what is considered 'half-time' enrollment. Students who meet an exemption must also meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements.

What are the student exemptions for SNAP?

If you are a student and you meet SNAP eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for SNAP if you meet the following exemptions:

• Age 17 years old and under OR 50 years or older
• Physically or mentally unable to work 20 hours per week (disability or doctor's note)
• Responsible for the care of a household member under six years of age, even if childcare is available
• Responsible for the care of a household member between six to twelve years of age, if no childcare is available OR if the student is enrolled full-time and is the sole parent in the household
• Receiving TANF/PaS
• Enrolled at a community college in certain programs (Verified by completing this Community College Verification Form (PDF)
• Participating in an on-the-job training program
• Placed in a training/education program by a government program like SNAP E&T, WIOA, TAA, CSSP, HOPE, etc.
• Engaged in paid employment of 20 hours or more per week. If self-employed, be earning an average of 20 hours per week at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 (20 hours x $7.25 = $145 per week)
• Participating in a state or federally financed work study program  I'm on a campus meal plan. Can I still qualify for SNAP?

 I'm on a campus meal plan. Can I still qualify for SNAP?

 If you live on campus and receive the majority of your meals through either a mandatory or optional meal plan, you are ineligible for SNAP.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Can I still receive SNAP benefits?

Maine extends SNAP benefits to certain 'non-citizens' who do not qualify for federal SNAP.

SNAP is not part of a public charge test. If you are not a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant, it is safe for you to apply and get SNAP for an eligible family member (like a U.S. citizen child).

The Department does not report to USCIS, CBP, or ICE when an applicant reports being undocumented or presents expired documents. We also do not need to verify noncitizen parent's immigration status if SNAP is being requested for their child who was born in the U.S..

We are required to follow confidentiality practices and OFI only shares information when legally required:

1. Under certain situations for sponsored Lawful Permanent Residents
2. If staff have seen proof of deportation notice, and the deportation date has passed.

SNAP Quality Control Review

The SNAP Quality Control Review team is a federally mandated group of OFI specialists that thoroughly review more than 1,100 randomly selected SNAP households every year.

The reviews are used to determined if:

• The SNAP program is being run according to regulations.
• The local office handled the case correctly.
• The information in the case file is correct.
• The client is getting the benefits they are eligible for.

 What happens if Quality Control reviews my case?

All written communication from OFI's SNAP Quality Control Review team is on OFI's letterhead. Phone number of the office and the worker are included as well as the worker's full name and State of Maine email address.

Federal law states that selected clients must cooperate with the SNAP Quality Control Review. If a client does not give the detailed information requested and/or cooperate with the review, their SNAP case may be closed.

Additional information regarding SNAP Quality Control Review can be found on the USDA website, https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/quality-control

SNAP Outreach

Help spread the word about SNAP with our SNAP Outreach Flyers. 

General SNAP Outreach Flyer (English) (pdf)

العربية | Français | Español | Português | Lingala | Soomaali | Русский | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | Kiswahili | ខ្មែរ | Kinyarwanda

SNAP Myth V. Fact Outreach Flyer (English) (PDF)

العربية | Français | Español | Português | Lingala | Soomaali | Русский | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | Kiswahili | ខ្មែរ | Kinyarwanda

Using your SNAP/ EBT Benefits Outreach Flyer (English) (PDF)

العربية | Français | Español | Português | Lingala | Soomaali | Русский | 简体中文 | Tiếng Việt | Kiswahili | ខ្មែរ | Kinyarwanda

If you would like to receive printed copies of any material, reach out to SNAP Outreach Planner, Tobey Solomon-Auger at tobey.solomon-auger@maine.gov

Become a SNAP Outreach Partner

• SNAP Outreach Request for Quotes (PDF)
• SNAP Outreach Project Proposal (PDF)
• SNAP Outreach Provider Assessment (PDF)
• SNAP Outreach Budget Forms (Excel)

USDA Non Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program, or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases, apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:  

Mail: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
         1320 Braddock Place, Room 334
          Alexandria, VA 22314; or

Email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.