How to apply for food stamps

NJHELPS.COM or NJHELPS.ORG

Who is eligile?

Your household must meet certain requirements to be eligible for SNAP and receive benefits, including meeting the maximum allowable income listed below.

Gross Monthly Income Eligibility Standard

(185% of FPL)

Figures Valid October 2021 - September 2022

Household Size

Max. Allowable Income

1 - $1, 986

2 - $2, 686

3 - $3, 386

4 - $4, 086

5 - $4, 786

6 - $5, 486

7 - $6, 186

8 - $6, 886

Each Additional Member

+ $700

Households that include a senior (aged 60 and older) or people with a disability may be eligible even if their gross income exceeds the amounts in the chart above.

Meeting the maximum allowable income for your household size does not guarantee you are eligible for SNAP. You can screen for NJ SNAP in five minutes to find out if you may be eligible for food assistance, cash assistance and more. Click here to screen and apply in 20 to 40 minutes.

Eligibility - seniors and People with Disabilities

SNAP applicants aged 60 or older and those with a disability but who are not 60:

No work requirement

Remain eligible for 24 months before needing to recertify

Higher resource limits

Resources counted

Medical expenses over $35 per month deducted from income

Automatically eligible for other utility benefit programs including Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Universal Service Fund (USF)

How is the process?

A SNAP household is anyone who lives and eats together.

Any household member over 18

An authorized representative that can go food shopping and use SNAP benefits on your behalf (a friend, relative, and neighbor).

Application Process

Fill out an application

Have a phone or in-person interview.

In most cases, the county has 30 days after you turn in your application to determine if you will get NJ SNAP. During the 30 days, the county will interview you. The interview will be either over the phone or in person. During the interview, the county will go over your application with you.

Submit verification

You can apply online at: https://oneapp.dhs.state.nj.us/

If you are applying online, you can upload your documents online.

Proof Needed to Get Benefits:

You will need the following for everyone in your household who is applying:

A valid ID (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, government ID)

Proof of where you live (i.e. lease, rental agreement, utility bill)

*Unless you are experiencing homelessness

Proof of earned income (i.e. paystubs, employer letter, recent tax records)

Proof of unearned income (benefits award letter)

Proof of resources (i.e. bank statements)

Social Security Number

Proof of immigration status (for non-citizens)

Proof of student status (for college students)

Who Can Apply?

Any household member over 18 (A SNAP household is anyone who lives and eats together)

Seniors and individuals with disabilities can have a friend or family member (called authorized representative on the application) submit an application on their behalf either online or in person at the county board of social services.

How soon are benefits available?

Within 30 days

If you need help sooner, you may qualify to receive your benefits within 7 days. If you and your household:

Have less than $150 in monthly income and less than $100 in liquid resources (cash on hand, savings, or checking); or

Have housing costs that are more than its monthly income and liquid resources; or

You or someone in your household is a migrant or seasonal farm worker with less than $100 in liquid resources.

NJ SNAP can be used to buy food like:

Fruits and vegetables;

Beans, fish, poultry, meat;

Rice, bread, tortillas, cereal;

Milk and cheese; and

Seeds and plants that produce food.

NJ SNAP cannot be used to buy:

Alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes;

Non-food items (pet food, toilet paper, diapers, soap, etc.);

Vitamins and medicine;

Hot and prepared food or meals.