$158/month

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline that many older adults and young families use to help pay for food. Once you're approved to receive SNAP benefits in Kentucky, the government will issue your funds through an electronic benefits card (or EBT card).

 An EBT card looks and works like a prepaid debit card, and can be used at grocery stores or at some online retailers to buy foods that are SNAP-eligible. Many farmer's markets throughout the country also participate in SNAP, and you can use your EBT card there as another form of payment.

Frequently asked questions

• What is SNAP?
• What is the process?
• Am I eligible?
• How do I prepare?
• How do I apply?
• What happens after I apply?
• How can I get help with my application?

What is SNAP?

What is the process like in Kentucky?

1. Submit your SNAP application, along with required documents. See more detail below.
2. Answer any follow-up questions from the Department for Community Based Services (or DCBS) to complete your application and get prepared for your SNAP interview. (up to 30 days to process. If you don’t receive a notice, call and speak with a DCBS representative at 1-855-306-8959. Make sure to keep detailed notes that include the date, time, and the name of the representative you spoke to at the DCBS office.)
3. Conduct your SNAP interview. These are typically by phone, but you can request an in-person interview.
4. Wait for your SNAP benefits decision. Once your application has been processed, DCBS will send you a decision letter.
5. After getting your SNAP benefits decision and receiving an EBT card, use your EBT card to purchase food at grocery stores, qualifying online retailers, and at participating farmer’s markets.

How do I know if I'm eligible?

• Money you get from your job or other income you receive, like Social Security
• How many people live with you
• Any assets you have (for example, cash or property other than your home and the land that your home is on)
• How much you spend on medical costs

You may also qualify for SNAP benefits right away in Kentucky if:

• Your household has less than $150 in income this month AND $100 or less in cash and bank accounts
• Your total gross income and cash and bank accounts is less than your rent/mortgage and utility costs for the month
• You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker

How do I prepare to apply?

• Proof of Identity: Such as your driver’s license, birth certificate, or passport.
• Proof of Kentucky Residency: Something with your address on it, such as your driver’s license, a utility bill, mortgage statement, or a lease rental agreement.
• Proof of Citizenship: This can be your Social Security card, immigration status, or original Medicare card. It’s important to note that SNAP eligibility has never been extended to undocumented non-citizens, but other lawfully present non-citizens may qualify. 
• Proof of Household Income: Documents showing how much you earn, like a pay stub or bank statement. This would include if you are receiving a pension, social security benefits, etc.
• Proof of Household Expenses: Documents that show what you pay, like your utilities, medical bills, child care receipts.

Showing proof of certain expenses can help increase your SNAP benefits.  You should gather proof of payment or billing statements for the following expenses:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Trash/Sewage
• Phone
• Home insurance
• Property tax
• Rent
• Mortgage
• Health insurance premiums
• Medical and/or prescription copays
• Medical bills

How do I apply?

• Visit Kentucky’s Kynect Benefits. While there, you’ll have two options to click:
  • ‘Sign Up’ will allow you to apply and manage your Kentucky SNAP benefits anywhere.
  • ‘Prescreening Tool’ will help you see if you’re eligible for SNAP.
• Start your Kentucky SNAP application by selecting ‘Sign Up’ and click on one of the following options to create an account:
  • individual applicant (this is if you’re filling it out), or
  • authorized representative (someone filling it out for you).
  • We recommend ignoring the ‘insurance agent’ option unless you have an agent that’s looking for benefits outside of food assistance.
• Click ‘Create New Account’ to use the Kentucky Online Gateway. You must have a valid email address to start the process, including creating a new profile.
• Verify your email to continue applying. You will have 4 hours to verify your email to continue your SNAP application.
• Log into your account after email verification, and the website will guide you through each step. Note that upon entering, you’ll be asked if you want to register as a Kentucky organ donor (this is a step that you can skip). Once you get to the next screen, make sure that all the information you’ve entered is correct, as you’ll need to prove your identity by answering questions.
• Upload scanned copies or clear photos of your documents at the end of the application. Make sure they're readable to avoid any issues.

Apply Online

1. Enter your contact information. When asked for preferred contact method(s), we recommend selecting all options to ensure you don’t miss any DCBS correspondence.
2. Answer three eligibility questions to continue.
3. Agree to the terms of the agreement, sign your name, and click ‘Submit Short SNAP Application’.

1. Get a form from your local DCBS office or by downloading from the site you’re currently on by clicking ‘Application Form’ towards the top-right of this page. 
2. Submit your application one of three ways:

• By fax: You can also fax the documents for a faster process. Remember to keep a record of the successful fax transmission to ensure there's evidence of your application. Number for your faxed application: 502-573-2007
• In-person: If you decide to hand it in, make sure to get your documents stamped as proof of submission. This can be invaluable, especially if there's any confusion later about what was submitted.
• By mail: We highly recommended to apply by fax or in-person. These two options will allow you to more easily track the delivery of your application, and provide proof that your application was submitted. If you choose to apply by mail, we recommend you mail your application via certified mail and save the delivery receipt. Address for your mailed application: PO BOX 2104, Frankfurt, KY, 40602

Important Tips

• Document Upload: While you can add your documents later, it's a good idea to get it all done at once if you can. If you decide to upload documents later, you won't be able to view them again. This means you can't check if they were uploaded successfully.
• Credit-Related Questions: When applying online, you might encounter some credit-related questions that may be confusing. If you need help answering them (or any other unexpected or seemingly tricky questions), a Benefit Enrollment Center can help. Don’t hesitate to call them at 1-866-516-3051.
• Elderly Simplified Application Project (ESAP): If all adult members of your household have no earned income and are either aged or disabled, you may qualify for ESAP (or the Elderly Simplified Application Project). ESAP provides SNAP benefits but with a longer renewal period compared to the regular SNAP process. This could simplify and extend the time between mandatory updates for eligible older adults or disabled individuals, making it more convenient for them. To apply for ESAP or to learn more, you can apply online using the same process above, visit your local DCBS office to apply in person, or you can print and complete a paper application and return it to your local DCBS office or mail to DCBS, P.O. Box 2104, Frankfort, KY, 40602.  
• Authorized Assistance: If you wish to have someone, like a child or friend, help with your application, DCBS requires a written statement from you. This statement should say that you allow that person to assist with your SNAP process. Make sure to sign, date, and include any relevant details like your date of birth or case number.
• Language and/or Disability Assistance: DCBS offers free language assistance and/or other aids and services upon request. To request, call 1-855-306-8959 or 1-800-627-4720. After the recorded message, you’ll reach someone who can help you with an interpreter. 

How can I get help with my application?

• Call the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) at 1-855-306-8959. While they have local offices throughout the state that you can visit, be prepared for potential wait times if calling. Sometimes, it might be faster to visit an office in person.
• Go to a Benefits Enrollment Center. If you live in the Bluegrass, Fivco, Gateway, and Northern Kentucky regions, you can call a Benefits Enrollment Center at 1-866-516-3051 for help with your application.  Or, you can go to any of the following offices of Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, for in-person help: 
  • 300 East Main, Suite 110, Lexington, KY  
  • 1616 Greenup Ave., Ashland, KY 
  • 546 East Main, Morehead, KY 
  • 104 East 7th St, Covington, KY 
• Go to (or call) the Green River Area Development District (GRADD) website. For those in Daviess, McLean, Hancock, Henderson, Ohio, Union, or Webster County, GRADD is available to assist. To see if you or someone you know qualifies for assistance, call 1-800-928-9094 or 270-926-4433 or print the GRADD’s referral form and:
  • Fax it to: Attn: Tiffany Lindsey, 1-270-852-1339
  • Mail it to: Tiffany Lindsey, GRADD, 300 GRADD Way, Owensboro, KY, 42301
• Go to your local Legal Aid provider who can be a valuable resource, especially if you face challenges with your application. 

What happens after I apply for SNAP in Kentucky?

• What is your full name and birthday?
• What is your Social Security number?
• Where do you live? (You can still qualify if you are houseless.)
• Are you a U.S. citizen? (You may still qualify if you are a noncitizen.)
• What is your monthly income?
• What resources do you own? (for example: bank accounts, annuities, CDs, IRAs)
• Do you have life insurance or a burial account?
• Do you pay utilities, such as an electric bill or cable TV bill?
• What other regular bills do you have?

• Stay on top of DCBS correspondence: Expect to receive several notices from DCBS. Some might look alike, but each one contains essential information. Read every notice thoroughly. 
• Make sure to reply quickly: Respond promptly if DCBS asks for more details or specific papers. Deadlines will be highlighted in these requests, so make sure you're timely. Quick and complete responses can ensure your application moves smoothly without unnecessary delays.
• Take action if you haven’t heard from DCBS: If 30 days pass without any update or notification regarding your application, take the initiative. Call DCBS directly at 1-855-306-8959 to check on the status of your application. Being proactive can make all the difference in receiving your SNAP benefits decision.