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Wyoming SNAP Benefits and Eligibility Criteria Needed to Apply for SNAP

– Wyoming SNAP Benefits –

Wyoming SNAP Benefits: The Wyoming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP) (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) helps you and your family purchase foods required for healthy living. Most grocery stores and other retailers which sell food can buy food. If you follow the requirements for the program you will obtain a special debit card (called an EBT Card). This debit card already comes with a certain amount of money on it to pay for food.

wyoming snap benefits

The amount of money you get on the card may depend on three things:

  • household income from all sources (earned and unearned) such as money you get from a job, Social Security, SSI, or interest
  • how many people live in your household
  • where you live

At most grocery stores, some senior centers, and a few meal delivery programs like Meals on Wheels, you can use the token. It just acts like a normal debit card. Using the card you buy your groceries, and the expense is taken out of the card’s total number.

What’s the Benefit Security 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 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.
  • Wyoming’s EBT customer service number is 1-877-290-9401.

What’s the Income Limit for Food Stamps?

Use the chart below to see if your household is earning less than the monthly gross income cap.

Net income factors in deductions and taxes, which is a complicated process. And if your household income is below the gross cap, you will be trying to find out if it is above the net cap.

Effective from October 1, 2019, through September 30, 2020.

Household size Gross monthly income limit* Net monthly income limit Max benefit
1 $1,354 $1,041 $194
2 $1,832 $1,410 $355
3 $2,311 $1,778 $509
4 $2,790 $2,146 $646
5 $3,269 $2,515 $768
6 $3,748 $2,883 $921
7 $4,227 $3,251 $1,018
8 $4,705 $3,620 $1,164
Each additional member  $479 $369  $146

_* If your household includes an elderly (60+) or disabled person, a higher gross income might still qualify._

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for this incentive plan, you must be a resident of the state of Wyoming and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) of less than $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checks combined) of less than $3,001 who share their household with an individual or persons 60 years of age or older, or with an individual with a disability.

The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Job Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) restricts the provision of SNAP benefits to three months over a three-year cycle for qualified adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who do not job, engage over, and meet the criteria of a 20-hour or more work program per week or workfare program.

Individuals are excluded from this clause if they are: under the age of 18 or 50 years or older; responsible for the treatment of a child or a disabled member of the household; medically recognized as physically or mentally unfit for employment; pregnant, or already excluded from the provisions of the Food Stamp Act.

In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

Annual Household Income Limits (before taxes)
Household Size* Maximum Income Level (Per Year)
1 $21,054
2 $28,446
3 $35,838
4 $43,230
5 $50,622
6 $58,014
7 $65,406
8 $72,798

*For households with more than eight people, add $7,392 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

How to Apply for Wyoming Food Stamps

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers monthly payments to help low-income families buy the food they need for healthy living. SNAP grants pay for just a fraction of the food expenses for most households; they will also use their own funds to buy enough food to last through the month.

Applying for Wyoming SNAP Benefits

Visit your local DFS office to get an application, or download the Application for Assistance. Send your application in person, by post or by fax to your nearest DFS office.

After receiving your application you will be contacted by a DFS employee to schedule a telephone or face-to-face interview with a benefits specialist.

How to Qualify

how to qualify

 

Qualifying for SNAP: Each application is reviewed in accordance with federal regulations and no two households are the same. There may be regulations other than those mentioned below that apply which may have an effect on your eligibility.

 Resources: People who earn Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or POWER / Tribal TANF households are excluded from the income cap. Whether the household has a person who is 60 years of age or older or has a disabled individual, the money limit is $3,500. All other households may be resourced at up to $2,250.

Resources are things like:

  • Checking and savings accounts.
  • Income-producing property.
  • Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.

Benefit Amounts:  The amount of SNAP a household receives depends on the number of people in your household and the total amount of net income (income after eligible deductions).

Deductions:  Income deductions are subtracted from both earned and unearned income.  The deductions are:

  • Earned Income Deduction – 20% of gross earnings
  • Standard Deduction – $167 for 1 to 3 household members;$178 for 4 household members; $209 for 5 household members and $240 for 6 or more household members.
  • Medical Deduction – allowable medical expenses incurred by elderly or disabled household members in excess of $35 per household.
  • Dependent Care Deduction – payments for the care of a child or other incapacitated adult which are necessary for a household member to work, look for work, or attend school or training.
  • Child Support Deduction – allowable for payments of legally obligated child support.
  • Shelter Deduction – allowable shelter costs (rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance on the structure and utility expenses) in excess of 50% of household income remaining after all other deductions. For households with an elderly or disabled member, there is no limit on the shelter deduction; for all other households, the shelter deduction cannot exceed $569.

How do I get my benefits? 

If you are eligible for SNAP, you will be mailed a Wyoming Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. To check the balance of your card, you can click here.

FAQs About Food Stamp (Snap) Eligibility

Do I qualify for food stamps?

To figure out if you qualify for food stamps, Wyoming 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.).
  • Assets: How much you have in the bank, not including retirement savings or your most recent tax returns. Some states also include real estate, trusts, investments, and vehicles as assets.

Who counts as a member of my household?

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.

How much money/property can I have and still get food stamps?

Wyoming’s asset limit is $2,000. This limit goes up to $3,000 if your household includes at least one elderly (60+) or disabled person. This doesn’t include at least 1 vehicle.

Can I get food stamps if I’m unemployed?

Yes, as long as you’re not leaving a job or deliberately raising your hours to apply. If you are not employed or employed less than 30 hours a week, you may be expected to engage in an job and training programme. There are some exceptions which apply. For more details , please visit your local office or call the Wyoming SNAP hotline: 1-307-777-5846

Can I get food stamps if I have a drug felony conviction?

Yes. If you’re eligible for food stamps, Wyoming won’t disqualify you because of a drug felony.

Can I get food stamps if I’m not a citizen?

Non-citizens who apply for legal status are entitled to obtain food stamps. Skilled aliens include refugees, trafficking victims, Cuban and Haitian immigrants, special-status Iraqi and Afghan immigrants and more.

Can I get food stamps if I’m homeless?

Yes. To register for food stamps you do not need to have a mailing address or rent. If you live in a shelter that gives you free meals right now, you can still apply for food stamps.

Can I get more food stamps if I’m pregnant or a new parent?

Your household size will increase once your kid is born. More Members of the family = more  benefits. You can’t get more food stamps while you’re pregnant but you can apply for Women , Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. WIC provides nutrition and resources for pregnant women, new parents and children up to age 5.

COnclusion

We hope this article has been helpful in knowing the benefits of your Wyoming SNAP. If so, we invite you to share this article with anyone who might also find it useful, by using the “Share this” button below.

However, If you have any questions about the Wyoming SNAP Benefits, please leave them in the comments section below. We’re here to support you!

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