SNAP Outreach
Many families find themselves in need without having anticipated the occasion. Others simply don’t have the time or means to track down information or details about assistance programs for which they might be eligible. We can help.
WE’LL HELP YOU NAVIGATE YOUR SNAP APPLICATION
SNAP, the supplemental nutrition assistance program formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federally funded nutrition program that helps approved individuals buy healthy food and stretch their budgets. Benefits can be used to purchase food at grocery stores, convenience stores, and some farmer’s markets.For every meal the Foodbank provides, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides twelve. Learning about or applying for assistance benefits like SNAP or Medicaid can be challenging.
We make it easy to take advantage of SNAP.
Click below to “Schedule An Appointment” with one of our knowledgeable and friendly team members who will be happy to answer questions, walk you through your options, or help fill you fill out an application.
Summer ebt
Summer EBT provides families with school-aged children with an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase groceries during the summer when school is out.
Summer EBT provides families with a monthly grocery benefit to feed their children for three summer months (June, July, August) when children are not receiving free or reduced-price meals at school.
In summer 2024, families will receive a one-time benefit of $120 for the summer for each eligible child. Benefits are distributed on an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card and can be used at authorized retail stores.
Income Requirement:
Children must be eligible for free or reduced-priced school meals, in other words they must reside in a household that has total household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.
There are several ways to demonstrate eligibility (see next section).
Citizenship Requirement:
No citizenship requirement. Summer EBT will not be considered under the public charge rule.
Age Requirement
If your child qualifies for Summer EBT through an application on file with a school operating the National School Lunch Program, they do not have an additional age requirement.
If your child qualifies for Summer EBT through their participation in another qualifying program (SNAP, TANF, Income Eligible Medicaid, and/or Youth in Care/foster care) and your child does not have a completed application on file with a school operating the National School Lunch Program, they must meet school age (age 6-17).
Missouri Sun Bucks Program (S-EBT)
Missouri is currently waiting on federal approval for a new program named ‘Missouri SuN Bucks’ designed to help families buy food for their school-aged children this summer. Eligible families would receive a one-time $120 benefit per qualifying child on an EBT card to buy food from authorized locations.
To get ready for Missouri SuN Bucks you can:
- If your family gets SNAP or TA, update your address online at mydss.mo.gov by selecting “Report a Change“
- Subscribe to get important email alerts about the program! (tinyurl.com/MOSuNBucks)
Illinois Summer EBT
Many eligible families will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT based on their participation in another qualifying program. This section describes which programs qualify you for eligibility.
Starting late June, you will be able to check online whether your child’s eligibility has been confirmed. Please check back for details.
There are two main pathways to sign up for Summer EBT.
- Through Participation in Another Qualifying Program:
Your child will be automatically enrolled in Summer EBT if they are enrolled in one of the following programs at any point during the period of 7/1/2023 through 8/31/2024. You do not need to apply but you should verify that your address on file is up-to-date.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Link)
- Income Eligible Medicaid (free and reduced-price eligible)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/cash)
- Youth in Care/foster children
- Through a School that Operates the National School Lunch Program (NSLP):
If your child attends a NSLP school where all meals are served free:
Contact your school as soon as possible to complete an Alternative Household Income application and make sure your address on file is up-to-date.
If your child attends a NSLP school and your child qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals but your family did not complete an application:
Contact your school as soon as possible to complete a free or reduced-price meal application and make sure your address on file is up-to-date.
If your child attends a NSLP school and your child has a completed application for free or reduced-price school meals:
You do not need to complete an additional application. Make your sure your address on file is up-to-date.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to a member of our team at 314-292-6262.
Need assistance with something besides SNAP?
Not everyone who faces food insecurity simply needs food. Food insecurity can mean a household is experiencing challenges paying for food, medicine, housing, childcare, transportation, or utility bills. Simply providing food isn’t always the solution.
The St. Louis Area Foodbank doesn’t just help people find food. We work together with partner organizations and government agencies to assist with everything from SNAP applications and Medicaid resources.
