Learn About School Meal Programs
Children from qualified households with a low income can get healthy meals or milk.
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Two programs provide free or reduced-price meals at school:
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Theyre enrolled in Head Start
Your children may qualify if your household income is within the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. These guidelines are based on federal poverty guidelines.
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If your income is no more than 130 percent of the poverty level, they should qualify for free meals.
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If your income is no more than 185 percent of the poverty level, they should qualify for reduced-price meals.
The summer food service program is open to all children and teens 18 and under at locations around the country. Find a site near you.
You Can Apply For Many Of Our Services Online
PLEASE NOTE: DHS has implemented COVID-19 precautions for all visitors entering office lobbies across the state. These rules will impact customers coming into state offices for scheduled in-person appointments.
Guidelines include:
- Arriving alone to drop-off or pick-up documents or take part in scheduled in-person appointments.
- Answering COVID-19 health screening questions.
- Maintaining a distance of 6 feet from others.
- Not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
Some interview requirements have been temporarily waived for individuals receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families benefits. Customers filing initial applications and recertifications are not required to visit an office provided their identity has been verified and all other mandatory verifications have been completed.
Help Paying Your Rent
DHS has two programs that can help you pay your rent if you are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Arkansas Rent Relief Program launches May 17 and you can apply starting that day at ar.gov/rentrelief. The other assistance is paid for through the federal Emergency Solutions Grant Program. You must apply with the organization in your county that is handling this program for DHS. You can find a list on our website.
If you live in Benton, Pulaski, or Washington counties, these counties have their own rent relief programs and are already accepting applications. You can apply online: Benton, Pulaski, or Washington.
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Usda Non Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information , should contact the Agency where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Employment And Training Services For Snap Recipients

If you are approved for SNAP, you can receive employment, training, and education assistance at no cost through the:
- SNAP Employment & Training Program If you receive SNAP benefits and do not receive TANF benefits, the SNAP E& T program can help you achieve your career goals through a broad range of services focused on your interests and needs. The program is completely voluntary and participants receive reimbursements for eligible transportation, childcare, and other expenses related to participation. Loaner laptops are also available to eligible participants.
- TANF Employment Program : If you receive TANF in addition to SNAP benefits, the TEP program provides coaching towards education and employment goals, coaching for parents on goals they have for their child and families, and connections to service providers that can help you achieve those goals. Participant supports and incentives are also provided, including for the purchase of technology needed for remote participation.
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Snap Employment And Training Program
OK SNAP Works is Oklahomas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training Program.
Individuals who receive SNAP benefits, are looking for a job, and do not receive cash assistance may be eligible to participate in free job training. The OK SNAP Works program is currently only offered in Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties at this time. View the “Helping SNAP Clients Find and Keep a Job” brochure.
Sign up for OK SNAP Works and you can:
- Learn new job skills in a professional, technical or vocational program
- Improve your English, reading, writing and math skills in Adult Basic Education.
- Write an effective resume
- OK SNAP Works will provide books related to the training courses.
- Work/Training clothing needed to help you succeed.
If you are interested in signing up or want more information please contact us at Oklahoma County Partners
Tulsa County Partners
- Goodwill TulsaWORKS Career Academy helps participants move upward by providing engaging career training programs, continuing education seminars and certifications in demand-driven career fields.
- Tulsa Community Work Advance’s innovative approach works to understand employer’s skill gap needs and connect individuals to free technical training, full-time job placement and career advancement coaching.
Specialty Providers that Offer Services to Individuals Already in their Program
Important: Emergency Snap Allotments Are Ending In December
Last year because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the federal government authorized the issuance of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for households across the nation. These emergency benefits added to the normal amount of SNAP benefits each month as long as a state of emergency existed in our state. Tennessees State of Emergency Order ended in November 2021, so the additional emergency SNAP benefits some SNAP recipients have been receiving will end for their households as of December 31, 2021.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families. SNAP helps supplement monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses. DHS staff determines the eligibility of applicants based on guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture . The primary goals of the program are to alleviate hunger and malnutrition and to improve nutrition and health in eligible households. DHS has a dual focus on alleviating hunger and establishing or re-establishing self-sufficiency.
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Learn About State Food Programs For Seniors
Most states offer these programs for seniors with a low income:
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Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program – Provides coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Use them at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community farms.
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Commodity Supplemental Food Program – Provides a monthly package of healthy food
Notice Of Eligibility For Pause On Utility Disconnections
Under Virginia General Assembly law, Virginia customers who received TANF, SNAP, or WIC anytime between January 2019 – July 31, 2021 may qualify to avoid Dominion Energy disconnection.
Click here to learn more.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program can be used like cash to buy eligible food items from authorized retailers. Authorized retailers will display either the Quest logo or a picture of a Virginia EBT card.
A SNAP account is established for eligible households and automatic deposits are made into the account each month. To access the account, they will also receive an EBT Card, which will debit the account each time eligible food items are purchased. A secret Personal Identification Number is required to use the card.
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How To Appeal A Food Stamps Denial In Michigan
When an applicant has his or her food stamps denied, he or she can have the denial occur for many reasons. One reason can be because he or she did not meet the eligibility requirements. There could have been inaccurate information on the application.
The first action to take is to contact the local SNAP office. You can contact them to confirm if there were any errors while processing the application. If the application is still being denied, you may proceed to appeal food stamps denial.
You can file your appeal to the MDHHS and complete the appropriate paperwork. You should attend any meeting required by the Michigan state government. Having a lawyer present can be helpful during this process.
Furthermore, you will have to provide proof that you need food assistance such as pay stubs or monthly housing expenses. Learn more about how to apply for food stamps when you .
How To Apply For Snap In
To complete the SNAP benefits application in person, you must contact your local SNAP office. You must first make an appointment. Once you have made your appointment, the representative will provide you with the information that you need to arrive prepared on the appointment date. He or she will ask you to provide the documents necessary to support the information on the application.
Once you apply for SNAP benefits in MI, a representative from the office will file your application the same day. This will allow for the verification process to begin.
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Food Stamps And Meal Programs During The Covid
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be easier for you and your family to get food stamps and take part in meal programs. Contact your state’s social services agency to see if you’re eligible.
During the pandemic:
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Food stamp recipients may receive additional funding. More people may be eligible to receive SNAP during the pandemic than normally.
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Parents whose kids’ schools are closed can pick up school meals for their kids to eat at home.
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People can enroll in food programs remotely rather than in person. This applies to programs for pregnant women, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Learn More About The Wic Program

Your agency may not have enough money to serve everyone who needs WIC. In that case, it will maintain a waiting list and use a priority system to decide who will get WIC benefits first.
For more information and help applying, contact your state or local WIC agency. You can also call its toll-free number.
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Please tell us if you need assistance with this site because you have a disability or dont speak English. Free assistance is available. Contact the Family Assistance Service Center Number 866-311-4287 and/or the TTY number at 711. After the recorded message, you will reach an operator who can provide you with an interpreter.
Help Paying For Nursing Home Care
Medicaid does cover nursing home care for individuals who Arkansans who meet both medical needs and financial criteria. This is called Long Term Services and Supports . You will need to fill out the application, which can be found on our website, and then submit it and any other needed documents to your local county office.
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Help Paying For Child Care
DHSs Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education helps eligible families with limited incomes cover the cost of high-quality child care. To be eligible, families must not exceed eligible income and must:
- work at least 30 hours a week
- attend school full time
- spend at least 30 hours a week in a job training program
Based on your income, you may get assistance to pay for all or some of your child care. To learn more and find out how to apply, visit our child care assistance page. To learn more about short-term Essential Worker Child Care Assistance, visit our FAQ page.
Work Program Participation Is Suspended
Following federal guidance, work program participation for Nutrition and Cash Assistance recipients is temporarily suspended while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect employment opportunities. The DES website is not the main source of information for Tribal TANF work requirements. Tribal TANF work requirements have been suspended, please contact your Tribal TANF program for more information.
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Learn About The Types Of Food You Can Buy With Snap Benefits
If youre eligible, you can purchase food using benefits that are issued to you monthly. You can use your SNAP benefits to buy a variety of foods for your household, including:
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Fruits and vegetables
See the United States Department of Agriculture’s list of foods and products you can buy using SNAP benefits.
Find Out If You Or Your Children Are Eligible For The Wic Program
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If youre applying for yourself, you must be at least one of the following:
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Pregnant
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Breastfeeding
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Within six months of having given birth or pregnancy ending
If youre applying for your children, they must be under 5 years old.
You must meet other WIC eligibility requirements based on your income, your health, and where you live.
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Filling Out A Food Stamp Application Online
Several states have started new endeavors to offer food stamp applications online. This has streamlined the process and allowed eligible recipients to fill out the application without having an appointment. This step has also allowed case workers some breathing room for appointments and to eliminate unnecessary appointments for individuals who may not, in fact, be eligible for the program. Though filing a food stamp application out online may seem easy, there are a few things individuals should remember.
New Standard Medical Deduction

Households with elderly participants or participants with a disability may receive one of the following deductions from their income:
- A Standard Medical Deduction of $160 minus a $35 disregard which equals $125 or,
- An actual monthly out-of-pocket medical expense deduction, minus a $35 disregard when expenses exceed the $160 SMD amount.
Participants are required to verify expenses over $35 to receive the SMD. All expenses must be verified when a participant chooses to claim actual out-of-pocket medical expenses above $160.
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Important Information About Recertifications
- Recertifications: If you receive a Cash Assistance or SNAP recertification notice by mail or an ACCESS HRA alert that you need to recertify, you must submit your recertification or your benefits will stop. You can use ACCESS HRA, fax, mail, or a drop box at open centers to submit your recertification. Please make sure that we have your correct phone number. You can check it and update it on ACCESS HRA websiteor the ACCESS HRA Mobile App. Learn about the ways you can submit your recertification and supporting documents.
- CA 6-month mailer and SNAP periodic report: Starting July 2021, if you do not return your SNAP periodic report or Cash Assistance mailer your case will close.