SNAP

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

What is SNAP?

SNAP is short for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

It’s a federal program that helps eligible households save money and stretch their budget with monthly paid benefits to purchase groceries and food-producing plants, and seeds.

Your benefits can be used at a wide range of participating locations across Kentucky, like grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, gas stations, and some farmers’ markets.

Are you eligible for SNAP?

Apply using the form below to find out.

Our network of food banks and other nonprofit organizations are here to help advise Kentucky residents about SNAP and other food assistance programs at no charge.

Your local SNAP advisor can help walk you through the entire application process for free.

We’re Here to Help—Let’s Get You the Support You Need

Your SNAP EBT Card

SNAP makes it simple and easy to buy food or get cash benefits now with the Kentucky Purchase EBT Card.

Your benefits are automatically applied to your Electronic Benefits Transfer (SNAP EBT) card each month and can be used just like a debit card to purchase food at participating locations.

SNAP FAQs

Email Chelsey Brock, chelsey@feedingky.org or you can call/text her, (502) 209-9592.

SNAP eligibility

Approved SNAP recipients receive benefits via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card. Benefits are automatically loaded onto the card each month and can be used to purchase eligible food items at participating retailers.

For more detailed information and resources, you can also fill out our form above, someone will reach out to you for assistance and guidance on SNAP benefits within the state.

  • What is an ABAWD?
    • ABAWD stands for Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents. It now means that you are an adult age 18-64 who is physically and mentally able to work, and you are not a caregiver for children in the household under the age of 14.
  • Work requirements for ABAWDs
    • Some ABAWDs will need to:
      • Work at least 20 hours per week
      • Participate in job or employment training
      • Volunteer
      • Some combination of the above to equal 20 hours per week** 
    • Work Requirement Exemptions include, but are not limited to:
      • You are pregnant.
      • You have a physical or mental condition that limits your ability to work.
      • You are responsible for a child under 14 in your SNAP household. Note: only 1 adult per household may claim the caregiver exemption.
      • You are the caregiver of an incapacitated person (even if they live separately).
      • You are chronically homeless (for more than one year, and it is obvious to the caseworker that you are unable to work).
      • You are actively participating in a drug/alcohol treatment program.

**If you are an ABAWD and you do not meet the work requirement or an exemption, you may only receive SNAP for up to 3 months in a 3-year period.

  • Extended Work Requirements
    • Some people who were exempt may now have to fulfill the work requirement unless they meet another exemption:
      • Adults age 55-64 years old
      • Caregivers of children 14 and older
      • Veterans
      • People experiencing homelessness
      • Former foster youth
  • County Exemptions
    • 117 KY counties were previously exempt from work requirements due to high unemployment rates.
    • Now, the unemployment threshold is higher and only 5 KY counties are exempt – Elliott, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin and Wolfe.
  • Utility Deductions
    • Internet is no longer included in utility deductions for SNAP.
    • LIHEAP energy assistance recipients are no longer automatically eligible for the highest standard utility allowance (SUA), unless the household includes a senior age 60 or older or a person with a disability.
  • Immigrants
    • Some lawfully present immigrants who were previously eligible such as refugees and asylees are no longer eligible. Now, SNAP is limited to:
      • Citizens
      • Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as green card holders
        • Adult LPRs have a 5-year waiting period
        • Children LPRs do not have a waiting period
      • Certain Cuban and Haitian entrants
      • Compacts of Free Association Citizens (COFA)

We’re Here When You Need Us

All SNAP applications can be completed in person or over the phone with all personal information kept in confidence.

Kentucky’s network of food banks are dedicated to empowering our neighbors with the resources needed to live healthy, productive lives.

Did you know?

SNAP, helps more than 40 million low-income Americans put food on the table. This makes SNAP the largest program working to fight hunger in America.

About Feeding Kentucky

About Feeding Kentucky

Feeding Kentucky is the state’s largest charitable response to hunger, working collectively to create a hunger-free Kentucky. Our network of seven Feeding America food banks provides food and groceries to Kentuckians facing hunger in all 120 counties. Through more than 900 partner food pantries and meal programs, we reach an estimated 1 in 7 Kentuckians each year. We focus on addressing child hunger, sourcing food from our Kentucky farmers, and advocating for policies that reflect the needs of our neighbors. Guided by our vision, we want all people in Kentucky to have access to enough food to thrive.