Idaho Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Idaho Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Idaho Food Stamps program, can provide supplemental income for purchasing food for low-income households. An eligible person or family receives an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which is used like any other debit card at the grocery store. The card uses money from a SNAP account set up for the eligible person or family to pay for food items.

                           

Quick Facts

Location
Idaho
Administering Program Name
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Are College Students Eligible for SNAP?

In December 2020, Congress passed legislation that temporarily changes SNAP eligibility requirements for college students. College students enrolled at least half-time and who meet income and eligibility requirements can now qualify for SNAP. If you think you might qualify for SNAP, call the Idaho SNAP Hotline at (877) 456-1233 to learn more.

To be eligible for Idaho SNAP, an individual must be all of the following:

How Do I Apply?

You don’t need to go to an office! You can apply online at the Department of Health and Welfare website, and receive your EBT card in the mail.

  • Idaho utilizes a single, comprehensive application for all social programs. When applying you can choose exactly which programs you’d like to be considered for, and which household members need assistance if you are assisting other household members apply for programs such as Medicaid, SNAP or TAFI.
  • Regardless of how you apply, once your application is submitted, you can follow the progress by logging into idalink, Idaho’s online self-service website for benefit programs.
  • If you need food assistance immediately, and are eligible, you can receive benefits within seven days. You must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for the expedited services.

Where/How to Use

  • Your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card works just like a debit card. Your SNAP benefits will be ready for you to use on the same day of each month. You must use your EBT card when purchasing food using your SNAP benefits. Eligible food may only be purchased with funds available on your EBT card at the time of purchase. The day of the month your SNAP benefits are available will be assigned to you based on the last number of the EBT cardholder’s birth year (ex: year 1979 = 9th day of month). If you need help finding out what day you will receive your SNAP benefits each month, login or register for an account on idaho.gov.

This page was last updated on February 27, 2021.

Quick Facts

Location
Idaho
Administering Program Name
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Outreach Organizations

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