How to apply for kentucky food stamps

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Food stamp eligibility is complicated, and the rules change often. This page is a good starting point, but the best way to find out if you’re eligible for food stamps is to apply for them.

If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, let us know.

To figure out if you qualify for food stamps, Kentucky needs to know your:

• Household size: How many people you live and buy/make food with.
• Income: How much money your household makes. This includes both earned income (the money you make from jobs) and unearned income (cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support, etc.).

Anyone you live and buy/make food with counts a member of your household.

You may live with people who don’t count as household members, like tenants who are renting a room, or adult children (22+) who buy/make their own food.

Children (under 22) always count as household members, even if they buy/make their own food.

Elderly (60+) and disabled people count as household members if you buy/make food for them, or you buy/make food together. If they live with you but buy/make food separately, they do not count as household members.

Yes, as long as you aren’t leaving a job or reducing your hours specifically so that you’ll qualify.

You may be required to participate in an employment and training program if you aren’t working or work fewer than 30 hours a week. Some exceptions apply.

Visit your local office or call the Kentucky SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-855-306-8959.

Yes. If you’re eligible for food stamps, Kentucky won’t disqualify you because of a drug felony, but you might have to join a treatment program. Call your local office or the Kentucky SNAP hotline to learn more: 1-855-306-8959.

Non-citizens who have qualified alien immigration status are eligible for food stamps.

Qualified aliens include refugees, victims of trafficking, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, Iraqi and Afghan immigrants with special status, and more.

Yes. You do not need a mailing address or housing to apply for food stamps. If you’re currently living in a shelter that gives you free meals, you can still apply for food stamps.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.

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The Benefit Security EBT Card is Kentucky’s EBT card.

EBT = electronic benefits transfer.

EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps (also known as SNAP benefits) and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.

You’ll get the Benefit Security EBT Card once you’re approved for benefits.

Kentucky’s EBT customer service number is 1-888-979-9949.

You’ll have to renew your food stamps before your certification period (the amount of time you’ll get food stamps) ends.

For most Kentucky households without elderly (60+) or disabled people, that period is 12 months. For most Kentucky households with elderly (60+) or disabled people, that period is 24 months.

You’ll get a letter in the mail when it’s time to reapply. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

To find out the easiest way to renew in your county, call your caseworker, local office, or the Kentucky SNAP hotline: 1-855-306-8959.

Kentucky sends out benefits over the first 19 calendar days of every month, based on the last digit of your case number. Check the full schedule to find out which day you’ll get your food stamps.

Most households only have to report the following two changes twice a year (at the halfway point and when you recertify):

• When someone moves in or out of your household.
• Financial changes like income, rent, savings, or child support.

Most households need to report the following three changes no more than 10 days after they happen:

• When your household income goes over the monthly income limit. This could be because someone starts making more money or someone with income moves in.
• When an adult without a disability or a child (what the government calls an ABAWD) who was working or training 20 hours/week starts working or training less.
• The receipt of substantial lottery or gambling winnings.

If you are moving, you should report your new address ASAP to make sure you don’t miss any important letters.

You can report changes online with a Benefind account.

If you can’t find your EBT card, call the Kentucky EBT hotline as soon as you can: 1-888-979-9949.

If someone manages to use your card, you won’t be able to get those benefits back, so make sure you call right away!

You can use food stamps to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that will produce food.

You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, live animals, prepared foods, or any non-food household items.

WIC food packages typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole-wheat bread. WIC packages also include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding moms, and baby food for babies.

See the full SNAP food list

Download Providers to see nearby stores and farmer’s markets that take EBT. You don’t need an account to use the map.

Yes! Your EBT card can get you and your family discounted or free admission to museums, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and more.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

If you have a child who’s 18 or younger, you may qualify for cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families with children get by during tough times.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.