While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as Food Stamps, helps eligible low-income individuals and families buy the food they need to stay healthy in the form of cash benefits.
SNAP uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to distribute the cash benefits.
The Puerto Rico SNAP food assistance program (known as Nutritional Assistance Program or NAP) is administered by the Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families or ADSEF. Learn more about NAP on the Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families (ADSEF) website here.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase approved food items. These include:
See a more comprehensive list of what you can buy with SNAP benefits here and a list of approved snacks and meal supplements here.
There are also food items that cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, including alcoholic beverages and hot prepared food. See a comprehensive list of what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits here.
NAP provides monthly benefits, known as an allotment, to eligible households. The allotment amount you can receive is based on 1) the number of people in your household and 2) your household income.
The allotments will be assigned based on the current allotment table, the number of members of the household, and the funds available to ADSEF. However, currently, a household can receive a maximum monthly allotment of:
In addition to the monthly allotment, for every household member that is 60 years old or more, the household will receive an additional $20. Hence, households of one elderly member receive a maximum of $132, while households of four with one elderly member get a maximum of $430.
If the family benefits card (known as Family Card) remains inactive for 60 days, it will be deactivated.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly allotments have increased. Households will receive the following amounts in addition to their regular benefits:
| Household Number | Increase in monthly allotments |
|---|---|
| 1 | +$82 |
| 2 | +$141 |
| 3 | +$196 |
| 4 | +$239 |
| 5 | +$272 |
| 6 | +$326 |
| 7 | +$343 |
| 8 | +$393 |
| Each additional elderly household member | +$22 |
The Nutritional Assistance Program helps families in Puerto Rico buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to NAP, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the income limits and personal eligibility requirements to receive NAP benefits on page 25 of the PR NAP State Plan here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on page 3 of the brochure here.
To apply for NAP online, create an account on ADSEF’s Assistance Portal here.
To apply for NAP in person, click here to find the nearest Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families office location.
To apply for NAP by phone, call (787) 289-7632 or the toll-free lines at 1 (800) 981-8056 and 1 (877) 991-0101.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families at (787) 289-7600.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
Once you complete your NAP application, an ADSEF representative will have up to 30 days to process it and make a determination, unless the application is for emergency NAP benefits, in which case it will need to be processed in 7 days.
ADSEF will then send a notice either by mail or through the assistance portal, with the determination, period of certification and monthly benefit allotment. Elderly people (60 years of older) will receive an additional 20% every month in benefits. The Family Card will also be sent to approved households.
Once you receive your card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by NAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions.
NAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your Family Card online, click here. If you do not have an account, register.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Puerto Rico Department of the Family, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 15 days of the date of your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, by mail or by fax, contact your local Department of Family office. Find your nearest location here.
You can also send the appeal by mail to the Department of Family Adjudicatory Body to the following address:
P.O. Box 11398
San Juan
Puerto Rico, 00918-1398
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
For more information on the appeal process, read chapter 8 of the NAP Manual here.
You can check the balance of your Family Card online at the EBT Puerto Rico website here. If you do not have an account, register.
For help with obtaining NAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families at (787) 289-7600.
You can also visit or call a local ADSEF Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
The Nutritional Assistance Program helps families in Puerto Rico buy the food they need to stay healthy. If you are in need of food assistance and wish to apply to NAP, complete the following three steps:
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families (ADSEF) website here.
You can also use the ADSEF eligibility predetermination tool here.
To apply for NAP online, create an account on ADSEF’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the SNAP application.
To apply for NAP in person, click here to find the nearest Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families office location.
To apply for NAP by phone, call (787) 289-7632 or the toll-free lines at 1 (800) 981-8056 and 1 (877) 991-0101.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Puerto Rico Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families at (787) 289-7600.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
Once you complete your NAP application, an ADSEF representative will have up to 30 days to process it and make a determination, unless the application is for emergency NAP benefits, in which case it will need to be processed in 7 days.
ADSEF will then send a notice either by mail or through the assistance portal, with the determination, period of certification and monthly benefit allotment. Elderly people (60 years of older) will receive an additional 20% every month in benefits. The Family Card will also be sent to approved households.
Once you receive your card, you can use it to purchase items that are approved by NAP at groceries and retail stores that accept EBT transactions.
NAP benefits are replenished each month that you are a member of the program. To check the balance of your Family Card online, click here. If you do not have an account, register.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Puerto Rico Department of the Family, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 15 days of the date of your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, by mail or by fax, contact your local Department of Family office. Find your nearest location here.
You can also send the appeal by mail to the Department of Family Adjudicatory Body to the following address:
P.O. Box 11398
San Juan
Puerto Rico, 00918-1398
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
For more information on the appeal process, read chapter 8 of the NAP Manual here.
For help with obtaining NAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Administration of Socioeconomic Development for Families at (787) 289-7600.
You can also visit or call a local ADSEF Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Food Stamps program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Food Stamps Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
