Food Stamps

General Overview
Known to many as Food Stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps individuals and families purchase the food they need. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the Federal level through the Food and Nutrition Service. In California, counties are responsible for ensuring these benefits are administered efficiently and effectively.

Whether you live alone or live with others, whether you have children or not, whether you are working or not, sometimes you just can’t pay all the bills and still have money for food.
Food stamp benefits provide families and individuals in need an opportunity to stretch their food budgets.

San Diego Hunger Coalition and the Food Stamp Program
SDHC provides training, outreach resources and on-going consultation to more than 45 organizations across the county working to enroll individuals in the Food Stamp program. We also conduct direct Food Stamp enrollment in the underserved City Heights area of San Diego. In partnership with the County of San Diego Health & Human Service Agency (HHSA), local food pantries and other community-based organizations, the San Diego Hunger Coalition launched the Food Stamp Taskforce. In leading this taskforce, we help identify barriers to access, educate community outreach partners about Food Stamp policies and procedures, and provide HHSA with feedback and best practices for increasing eligible enrollment.

What do food stamps look like?
When you receive food stamps, you will be assigned an account and a plastic card called an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Each month, your food stamp benefits are put into your account and you can use your EBT card at most major grocery stores, convenience stores, markets and even some farmer’s markets. The card is used the same way someone would buy food with a bankcard or a credit card. The cost of the food is automatically deducted from your food stamp account. You can check your account balance by calling the number on the back of your card.

What can I buy with my food stamp benefits?
You can purchase any food EXCEPT heated foods. Tobacco, alcohol, pet food and toiletries are not permissible. For a comprehensive list of permissible foods, please click here.

If you would like information on how to stretch your food stamp dollars, click here to read "Eating Right When Money's Tight: Stretching Your Food Stamp Dollars". The brochure is also available in Spanish.

Where can I shop with by EBT card?
To find an authorized SNAP retailer near you, click here. Next, click on the "Select Location" button and enter a starting location (enter city & state, zip code or a full address). Position your cursor over a map point or use the table below the map to get details. (Data as of April 30, 2010)

Who qualifies and who does not?
You must meet income guidelines to receive food stamps. Even if you are working, you may still qualify.

Individuals who receive SSI/SSP assistance and undocumented residents are not eligible for food stamps. However, other family members in your household who are legal U.S. residents or citizens might be eligible. Other people in your home that do not get SSI may still qualify.

How can I apply for food stamps?
You can use the Food Stamp Pre-Screening Tool to determine if you may be eligible to receive food stamp benefits. This screening tool does not guarantee eligibility but will help determine the likelihood of eligibility. If the tool indicates you may not qualify, you can still apply to ensure accurate determination of your eligibility.

To access the pre-screening tool in Spanish, click here. 

If you are eligible, you can fill out the Food Stamp application and send it to the food stamp office indicated at the end of the screening tool. Please print, fill out and send in the following Food Stamp Application Forms: (English)
DFA285 A1
DFA285 A2
DFA285A3

For forms in other languages, please click here.

I need help with the process
The San Diego Hunger Coalition partners with local food pantries and organizations to pre-screen potential food stamp applicants and assist with the application process. Many of our partners offer multilingual services. If you need help with the screening tool, the application process, or maintaining your benefits, you may contact SDHC for help locating one of our trained community-based partners. 

How long can I receive Food Stamp benefits?
Eligibility is based upon income and household size.

If you are a food stamp recipient, you will be required to fill out a quarterly report.