Maryland residents wondering how to renew food stamps online and by other methods available for food stamps renewal should review the following information to ensure a timely decision from the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS). Beneficiaries can renew food stamps in MD from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as the Food Supplement Program (FSP) in Maryland, which is incredibly helpful for low-income individuals and families in need. By simply filling out a food stamps renewal application, qualified candidates who already are FSP certified can be recertified to continue SNAP benefits. All FSP recertification applications must be completed thoroughly and accurately and submitted on time.
What is a Maryland food stamps renewal?
A SNAP renewal is necessary to continue to receive benefits from the FSP. Food assistance participants receive EBT benefits for a set certification period. Beneficiaries need to renew FSP benefits since they do not replenish automatically. If you wish to renew food stamps in Maryland, you must submit a food stamps renewal application in a timely manner to avoid disrupted benefits. Individuals who receive FSP benefits will receive a notice of certification expiration before the last month of their certification period. For individuals and households that have only been certified for one to three months, the LDSS will provide an expiration notice as soon as their certification period commences. Without a redetermination for eligibility, no individual can continue to participate in the food stamps program beyond the expiration of his or her initial FSP certification period.
Discover important information about the SNAP renewal process by downloading our guide to food stamps.
What is needed to renew food stamps in Maryland?
FSP beneficiaries who wish to apply for food stamps renewal must still be a resident of the state of Maryland. It is the duty of the beneficiary to apply for FSP recertification, while the LDSS is responsible for notifying individuals and households when their certification period is coming to an end. Applicants must also comply with any necessary interview and SNAP verification requirements. A candidate’s case will be automatically closed if they fail to complete any of the steps required in the recertification process. All food stamps renewal households that have been certified for 12 months or less must complete an interview with their case manager every 12 months. It is up to the local department to decide whether they want to conduct an in-person or phone interview with a candidate. The LDSS will notify all candidates what verification they must provide. Candidates are allowed at least 10 days to provide the required verification. The local department is required to process a candidate’s food stamps renewal application in a timely manner as well as all households that have been deemed eligible.
Learn About Ways to Submit a Food Stamps Renewal Application in Maryland
Residents wondering how to renew food stamps in Maryland should review the FSP renewal application options below, and select whichever is the most feasible method. To prevent any delays or benefit interruptions, applicants must reapply for food stamps before their original certification period has ended.
How to Renew Online
While a food stamps renewal application can be completed in various ways, the fastest and simplest ways is to renew food stamps online. Those wondering how to renew food stamps online can file an application on Maryland’s government website. The local department will document the date the recertification application was filed by stamping or noting the date of receipt in the local office on the document. The local department will also contact the applicant for any additional information that is needed to determine renewal eligibility.
How to Renew Food Stamps by Mail
Applicants who prefer to recertify food stamps by mail must complete the recertification application as soon as they receive it in the mail to prevent any interruptions in their benefits. Petitioners should complete the food stamps renewal application honestly and provide proof of any changes that may alter the decision of receiving more or less benefits. FSP participants usually receive a renewal notice in the mail 45 days prior to their certification period. However, applicants should not rely on the state contacting them first. To avoid benefit interruption, current members must complete the food stamps renewal form and send it to their Local Department of Social Services.
How to Renew Food Stamps in Person
Applicants have the option of renewing food stamps benefits in person if preferred over the online and mail option. The individual or household will receive an SNAP recertification application in the mail or they can request an application in person, which they will need to complete fully before handing it to their caseworker. The application must be signed and contain the applicant’s full name and correct address in order for it to be filed. The local department may decide to interview the candidate once they receive the complete application. Individuals who prefer to reapply for SNAP benefits in person should bring important verification documentation for things such as, a new family member or change in salary, in order to avoid multiple trips to their local office.
Discover how to renew food assistance benefits in our comprehensive guide.