Learn How To Apply For Food Stamps With Our Guide

Learn How To Apply For Food Stamps With Our Guide

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Kentucky SNAP food benefits help low income families and individuals have access to food. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP benefits is the national name for this program. SNAP food benefits are funded at the federal level while each state and territory manages the program separately. This program has been available in all states since the 1970s and aims to keep low income people in good health by providing them with food benefits. After the food stamps applicants complete the enrollment process, they can use their EBT card. These items must provide nourishment to the beneficiary. When the beneficiary has received the benefits card food stamps can be used to buy items that are considered eligible. The amount of benefits for food stamps program is determined by a variety of aspects. To find out more about KY SNAP food benefits and what items can be bought with SNAP benefits, read the following information below.

Learn About Food Items You Can Purchase With SNAP in Kentucky

Kentucky Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits may be used to buy many types of food. Food stamps program approved items include the following categories:

  • Breads and cereals
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Dairy products
  • Meats and poultry
  • Fish and seafood
  • Seeds and plants

Kentucky SNAP beneficiaries may only use their benefits for seeds and plants if these items will be grown for food. ‘Unhealthy’ or ‘junk food’ items may also be purchased with food assistance benefits because these items still provide some form of sustenance to the beneficiary. Be aware that while a food retailer may sell approved items, the retailer may not be able to accept the EBT benefits card as a form of payment. To check which grocery stores accept the food stamps benefits card in your area, go online.

Items You Cannot Buy With Kentucky SNAP Benefits

Benefits from food stamps may not be used to buy all items available for sale at an approved food retailer. In general, items that are dangerous to an individual’s health or are not a cannot be purchased with food benefits. KY food stamps cannot be used to buy the following:

  • Cigarettes and tobacco
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Pet food
  • Household supplies
  • Paper goods
  • Medicines
  • Vitamins

SNAP food beneficiaries also may not use their benefits to buy living animals that would be used for food such as barnyard chickens. The SNAP benefits program exists to help recipients have access to food that will be eaten or prepared at home. Therefore, hot meals, prepared meals and items eaten at the store cannot be bought with benefits.

How long does it take to receive Kentucky SNAP benefits after enrollment?

The SNAP benefits enrollment procedure will take about 30 days to complete. Kentucky food stamps program applicants must first fill out the required application. Once it is received, the Department for Community Based Services will contact the applicant to schedule an interview. Food stamps enrollment may be expedited in certain situations. The KY SNAP application and interview will require all applicants to provide the Department for Community Based Services with personal information such as their Social Security Number, their income levels and much more. Purposefully giving false information during this process is considered food stamps fraud and those convicted of the crime will face jail time.

If a SNAP food benefits applicant is denied, he or she can appeal the decision. If the applicant is approved, he or she will receive a benefits card for food stamps.

Kentucky EBT Card Overview

Food stamps benefits can be accessed through the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The Kentucky SNAP benefits program deposits a preset amount of benefits in the beneficiary’s account. From there, the beneficiary can use the EBT card like a debit card at a cash register or at an ATM. The benefits card’s balance can be checked online. If the EBT card is stolen, the food stamps benefits used by the thief will not be refunded to the beneficiary. Therefore, all food stamps enrollees are encouraged to keep their EBT card safe and to report it if the card does go missing.

The KY food stamps benefits card cannot be used to withdraw money from ATM machines inside liquor stores, gambling entertainment facilities, medical marijuana dispensaries and adult entertainment businesses. Attempting to use cash withdrawn from the EBT card on ineligible items is considered a criminal offense.

Learn About Kentucky SNAP Benefit Amounts

Not all Kentucky SNAP enrollees receive the same monthly benefit allotment. The food stamps benefits amount is determined by many aspects and factors. Income is the most important area of the applicant’s life that is looked at to determine the overall benefit need. The size of the household is also another important factor. For example, more SNAP food benefits will be given to a family of six and less benefits will be given to a family of four. Elderly and disabled individuals may be enrolled in the SNAP benefits program but there are different criteria used to determine their benefits amounts. Most able-bodied adults will be required to work or to be enrolled in an employment program if they want to continue being enrolled in the food stamps program.