In this post, we will outline how to apply for food stamps in Mississippi online. Food stamps are a part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits that help low-income households buy the food they need for good health. SNAP is a federal program administered on the local level by the Mississippi Department of Human Services. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The program is meant to be a supplement to one’s income to help ensure nutritional needs are met. Mississippi residents who face food insecurity are urged to apply for the program. Help is available for those struggling to put food on the table.
In order to be eligible for SNAP benefits in Mississippi, you must first meet certain requirements. You may qualify for SNAP if you work for low wages, are unemployed or part-time, are elderly or disabled, or receive TANF, SSI or other assistance programs. Eligibility for SNAP benefits is also based on monthly expenses and the number of people living in your household. To find out whether you qualify to receive food assistance in Mississippi, please refer to the monthly income limit chart below.
If you’re eligible to receive food assistance in Mississippi, your benefits will be distributed through the state’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. This system is a way of delivering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits without paper coupons. EBT uses a plastic card that works like a debit card. SNAP Recipients may access their benefits at eligible retail Point-of-Sale (POS) devices.
The Mississippi EBT card can be used at any participating store displaying the Quest logo. Each Mississippi SNAP Benefit household will be issued an EBT card. Your benefits are delivered to your Illinois Link card on the same day each month (including weekends and holidays). SNAP recipients may also purchase food products at non-traditional stores such as farmers markets, truck vendors, and community support agencies, if they have been approved by Food and Service (Food and Nutrition Service).
If you qualify to receive SNAP benefits, then follow our step-by-step guide on how to apply for food stamps in Mississippi online.
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Mississippi Online:
Step 1 – Do you qualify to receive SNAP Benefits?
Before going through the process of applying for benefits, it’s important that you determine whether you are eligible to receive SNAP benefits in Mississippi. To see if you qualify, use the SNAP pre-screening tool, available through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). This will not determine 100% if you are eligible, but will give you an idea of how eligibility is determined. To complete the pre-screening tool, please access the following page. You will be asked to answer questions about your income, expenses and the people in your house. It’s important that you have that information ready.
Step 2 – Apply for Mississippi SNAP Benefits
Once you’ve completed the pre-screening tool, the next step is to submit your SNAP application. Unfortunately, Mississippi does not have an option for online application submission at this time. To apply, download the SNAP application (here) and complete the application. If you are unable to download the application, you may request an application by phone, in-person, by fax or mail from your county office. Once your application has been completed – be sure to complete as much as you can – please turn it in to your local county office via mail, fax or drop-off.
Step 3 – Complete an Interview
Once your application has been received, your local county office will set up an interview to review your application. At the time of your interview, bring verification of your income and expenses. If you cannot get all the information together by your interview date, please still come for the interview because you will have additional time to provide this information. If you need assistance obtaining this information, please discuss this with your caseworker at the time of the interview. The following are examples of what you’ll be asked to bring to your interview.
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, etc.)
- Social Security Numbers for all household members
- Proof of income (wage stubs, earning statements, etc.) for the four weeks prior to your interview or last filed tax return if self-employed (if applicable)
- Proof of residency (utility bills, rent/mortgage payments, lot rent, taxes)
This step is a required interview process that must be completed in order to receive SNAP benefits in Mississippi. Your caseworker will inform you of any additional information they would like you to bring to the interview. All information is confidential.
Step 4 – Mississippi EBT Card
If you’ve made it to step four then that means you’ve been approved to receive SNAP benefits in the state of Mississippi! You’ll be receiving your debit-like Mississippi EBT card in the mail in a few days. Your card is to be used exactly like a debit card at point-of-sale terminals. Be sure to set up your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) once your EBT card is received in the mail. Do not share this number with anyone.
If you wish to know the current balance on your EBT card, you can find out the balance of your EBT card at any time using any of the following options:
- Calling the Cardholder Services Center number printed on the back of their EBT card.
- Performing a “balance-inquiry-only” transaction on the POS terminal at the grocery store.
- Reviewing the last EBT transaction receipt. The customer’s current account balance will be printed on the bottom of each EBT receipt.
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We hope you found this guide useful when applying for SNAP benefits in Mississippi. If you have any questions or problems during the application process, please be sure to leave your feedback below. We love to hearing from you!