How To Apply For Kentucky SNAP Benefits
View the information below if you are interested in applying for a EBT card in Kentucky. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Kentucky SNAP hotline at 855-306-8959. The department that handles this program is called the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps people with little or no money buy food for healthy meals at participating stores. SNAP benefits increase a household's food buying power when added to the household's money.
Who is eligible for Kentucky SNAP benefits?
Any household meeting basic income and other requirements may be able to receive SNAP benefits. A household is any person, family or group of people who live and buy and eat food together. Adult children older than 21 who live with their parents may qualify for their own SNAP benefit accounts if they purchase and prepare food separately from their parents. Adult siblings living together, but not with their parents, who purchase and prepare meals separately may also have separate SNAP benefit accounts. The following people must be included in one household account, regardless of whether they purchase and prepare meals separately:
- A spouse of any household member
- Parents living with their natural, adopted or stepchildren who are age 21 or younger
- Children younger than 18 who are dependents of an adult household member
Kentucky food stamps eligibility requirements
For citizenship requirements, only US citizens and some legal foreign residents of the United States may receive food benefits. Anyone in a household who is 18 to 59 years old and can work must register for, look for and accept work. There are some exceptions to this requirement. A household may have no more than $2,000 in cash and bank account assets. If a member of the household is 60 or older, the household may have no more than $3,250 in resources. Some resources not used to calculate household assets include the dwelling, its contents and personal belongings. Vehicles are also excluded.
The amount of money a household can receive and still be eligible to receive SNAP benefits depends on household size. Money from wages or other payments to any household member is counted as income. Your household may qualify for deductions from the household's income, such as rent, utilities, legally obligated child support paid to someone outside the household and babysitting expenses. If your household includes older or disabled members, you may be able to deduct medical costs. Proof of income and expenses must be provided to receive deductions. Such proof can be provided with pay stubs, social security letters, rent and utility receipts or savings account statements. The amount of benefits your household will receive is based on household size and income after deductions.
| Household Size | Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) | Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,307 | $1,005 |
| 2 | $1,760 | $1,354 |
| 3 | $2,213 | $1,702 |
| 4 | $2,665 | $2,050 |
| 5 | $3,118 | $2,399 |
| 6 | $3,571 | $2,747 |
| 7 | $4,024 | $3,095 |
| 8 | $4,477 | $3,444 |
| Each additional member | +$453 | +$349 |
How to apply for Kentucky SNAP benefits
You are encouraged to call the DCBS Family Support toll-free number at 855-306-8959 to start an application or you can fill out your SNAP application online. Once your application is received, you will be contacted to complete an interview. The head of your household, or an authorized representative, must be interviewed before the application can be completed.
If you print an application off the internet and mail it in (English version - Spanish version), you must be interviewed by a worker before your application can be processed. The location and mailing address for each Family Support office can be found here. You may also apply in person at any Family Support office. Benefits will begin from the date your application is received. If received after business hours (M-F, 8-4:30 pm), the application will be dated for the next business day.
Your household may name someone to be your authorized representative to act on your household's behalf in completing the interview for SNAP benefits and to use your benefits to purchase food for your household. If your household needs help right away, you may be able to get your SNAP benefits within a few days after applying.
How to know if I have been approved?
After filing an application, you will receive a notice within 30 days telling you whether or not your household has been approved for SNAP benefits. If your household is approved, you will receive a letter telling you the amount of benefits you will receive and advising you when you have to be interviewed again to continue receiving benefits. If you need Kentucky food stamps sooner, you may qualify for expedited services, which allows you to receive your benefits in 5 days instead of 30. This is who can get SNAP benefits within 5 days:
- Households with less than $150 in gross monthly income and $100 or less in assets or
- Households with rent, mortgage and utilities that are more than the household’s gross monthly income and assets or
- Households with a migrant or seasonal farm worker and with assets of $100 or less whose income is stopping or starting
