***Important Message about SNAP Interviews***
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP agencies have had an option to request a waiver from the Federal agency that oversees the SNAP program, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), to temporarily eliminate SNAP interviews at initial certification, and recertification. This waiver has been in place in Nevada since March 26, 2020, and will expire on June 30, 2022.
Effective July 1, 2022, SNAP interviews will recommence as outlined below:
- Initial Applications
- All SNAP initial certification applications received on or after July 1, 2022, will require an interview with a DWSS Family Services Specialist, or a DWSS Trusted Partner.
- Recertification Applications
- All SNAP recertification applications with a recertification effective date of September 1, 2022, will require an interview with a DWSS Family Services Specialist, or a DWSS Trusted Partner.
Emergency Food Supplements
DWSS implemented supplemental emergency
allotments (SEA) for recipients of food assistance due to the impacts of
COVID-19. These emergency allotments started April 4, 2020, for March and April
benefits and have continued on a month-to-month basis with federal approval.
Recipients get the difference between their regular monthly benefit and the
maximum amount for their household size or $95, whichever is greater.
SEA payments are intended to help eligible
SNAP recipients better address the economic crisis resulting from the COVID pandemic.
The recent Consolidated
Appropriations Act passed by Congress effectively ends the SEA payments and eligible
SNAP participants will receive one last SEA payment on March 14, 2023. After that final payment, SNAP recipients will
only receive the benefit amount for which they are eligible based on their case
eligibility determination.
Households approved for SNAP but receiving a
regular benefit amount of $0 are not considered participating SNAP households
for emergency allotments.
Additional
information about local food banks can be found by contacting Three Square (702-765-4030, Monday through Friday from
9am to 5pm) or Food Bank of Northern Nevada
To Apply for SNAP:
Before you begin the application process please read Information Needed to Process Your Application, (Spanish version
Informacion Necesaria Para Procesar Su Solicitud). The quickest and easiest
way to apply for SNAP is online through Access Nevada. To get started, click the Access Nevada button below.
ACCESS NEVADA - Apply for Benefits and Manage Your Account Online!
If you reside on a Nevada Indian Reservation or Colony you may also check with the
Washoe Tribe Social Services Department for application information.
If your household has little or no money and needs help right away; inform the Welfare Office and you
may be eligible to receive SNAP benefits within 7 business days.
After you have submitted your application you will be scheduled an
interview. At your interview your case worker will explain the program
rules and assist you in
completing your application if necessary. During the interview
process your case worker will also ask you for proof of certain
information. It's important that
you understand the rules, so don't hesitate to ask your case worker
to explain anything you don't understand.
After you have completed the interview, the Welfare Office will
notify you by mail of your qualification status, and if approved
the monthly amount of SNAP benefits you will receive and the how many
months of benefits you are qualified for before you need to reapply.
If you are qualified for SNAP benefits, you will receive your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card with your
monthly approved benefit amount no later than 30 business days from the date the office received your application.
If you and everyone you live with are applying for or getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits,
you may apply for SNAP benefits at your Social Security district office, except in California (where people
who receive SSI get cash instead of SNAP benefits).
- Households applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Medicaid can apply for SNAP benefits at the same time.
- Application is made at the local Welfare Office.
- After you have submitted your application, the Welfare office
will contact you to set up an interview to go over your application.
Application Forms