Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Community Services - Food Support
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Community Services - Food Support
Other programs include:
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a nutrition education program that provides free supplemental foods which promote food health
- The free or reduced price school lunch program is available for families meeting certain income qualifications. An application for this program can be obtained through your child's school.
- Second Harvest Heartland provides a Commodity Supplemental Food Program for senior citizens.
- Nutrition Program for Seniors
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It depends on your situation. For some emergency situations, benefits can be issued within 5 days. In most situations, the county will notify you by mail of a decision within 30 days.Community Services - Food Support
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Community Services - Food Support
The total amount of SNAP benefits your household gets each month is called an allotment.
Because SNAP households are expected to spend about 30% of their own resources on food, your allotment is calculated by multiplying your household's net monthly income by 0.3, and subtracting the result from the maximum monthly allotment for your household size.
Table 4: SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment Based on Household Size
People in Household Maximum Monthly Allotment 1 $250 2 $459 3 $658 4 $835 5 $992 6 $1,190 7 $1,316 8 $1,504 Each additional person +$188 Note: The allotments described here are for households in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. The allotments are different in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Community Services - Food Support
You can apply in a number of ways:
- In person at any of our four office locations, between the hours of 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Applications are available at all county offices, and workers are available during working hours to answer your questions about applying for SNAP benefits.
- Online through MNBenefits
- Print out and complete the Combined Application Form (CAF) (PDF) and mail to: Washington County Community Services, PO Box 30, Stillwater, MN 55082 OR drop off at any of our four office locations. The CAF is the application required to apply for SNAP and/or cash assistance. When your benefits begin depends on the date the county receives the first page of the Combined Application Form (CAF) or the online application via MNBenefits.
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SNAP benefits may be used for foods items such as bread and cereal, fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry, and dairy products; seeds and plants which produce food to eat. SNAP benefits may not be used for any nonfood items, such as pet food, soap, paper products, and household supplies; beer, wine, cigarettes, or tobacco; vitamins and medicines; food that will be eaten in the store; hot foods.Community Services - Food Support
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SNAP benefits are distributed through a plastic card that looks like a credit or debit card. It is called an Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT card. Every month, the card is filled up with the money to buy food at places that accept SNAP, such as grocery stores. The card is swiped and a code number entered (called a PIN or Personal Identification Number). The PIN helps keep benefits safe if the card is ever lost or stolen. The cost of food is subtracted from the amount of money on the card.Community Services - Food Support
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Community Services - Food Support
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Stores will display a poster or sign that says "We accept EBT". The card may be used at authorized sites for Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dining. Many farmers markets accept EBT as well.Community Services - Food Support
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Call customer service (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at 1-888-997-2227 to report your card lost or stolen. Replacement cards cannot be obtained directly at the county office and must be mailed. It can take up to 5 business days to receive your replacement card. A $2.00 card replacement fee will be deducted from either your food or cash benefits.Community Services - Food Support
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No; however, if your benefits are not accessed for a long period of time they may be removed from your card. If this happens, call your food support worker for assistance.Community Services - Food Support