SNAP Enrollment
Availability:
Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Lake, and St. Louis Counties
Program Description:
AEOA provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outreach and application assistance to seniors and other eligible persons in its service area.
Formerly known as food stamps, SNAP is designed to assist low-income families in accessing nutritious food from regular grocery retail outlets, as well as farmers markets. For more information on SNAP, Feeding America has a FAQ you can read by clicking here.
Eligibility:
SNAP eligibility depends on household size and income. For the most up to date eligibility criteria, click here.
Want to see if you’re eligible for food support? Bridge to Benefits is a self-screening tool for individuals and families to see if they meet initial eligibility requirements, mainly income by household size. The website has a lot of resources and information listed from the Affordable Care Act, to Child Care Assistance, SNAP, School Meal programs, WIC, Energy Assistance, Medical Assistance, and more. It has an online version of the Bridge to Benefits Screening Tool that can help you see what kinds of assistance you may be eligible for. Complete a screening at http://bridgetobenefits.org/Home2
How to Apply
You can apply on your own online at www.mnbenefits.mn.gov for SNAP and other programs. If you need assistance, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 218-404-6050. After applying, applicants must complete an interview with their local county or Tribal Nation human services office. The interview may be in-person or over the phone.
How to Use SNAP
Approved applicants get mailed an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that looks and works like a debit card. SNAP benefits are loaded to participants' EBT cards each month to buy groceries at authorized stores, farmers markets and online retailers. The amount of benefits a household receives is based on income, expenses and number of people in the household.
SNAP at Farmers Market
AEOA supports SNAP acceptance at four area farmers markets: Virginia, Hibbing, Cook, and Tower. We also work with Minnesota Hunger Solutions’ Market Bucks program to triple SNAP at the farmers markets, so for every $10 swiped on an EBT card, the shopper gets $30 to spend. For more information on Market Bucks and to see a full list of all the markets that accept SNAP-EBT, visit https://www.hungersolutions.org/programs/market-bucks/.
Another resource for information on Minnesota's SNAP program is the MNFoodHelper.org website. It has frequently asked questions and maintains current income eligibility guidelines for food support.
Contact
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
