Food Stamp Program /
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Fraud Alert! General public receiving unsolicited calls from what appears to be the SNAP toll free information hotline number: 1-800-221-5689. Read more information

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 renamed the federal program the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) effective October 1, 2008. SNAP is designed to promote the general welfare and safeguard the health and well-being of the nation’s population by raising the levels of nutrition among low-income households. The program is called the Food Stamp Program in Missouri.

How Are Food Stamps Used?

Each participating household receives an allotment of food benefits based on the USDA’s “Thrifty Food Plan”. This allotment is adjusted annually according to the U. S. Department of Labor’s analysis of the cost of food. Missouri Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the method by which households receive and use Food Stamp benefits.

Households may use their Missouri EBT card in any grocery store or retail location anywhere in the United States that has been authorized by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service and displays the Quest^® sign. The benefits may be used to purchase any food or food products prepared for human consumption except alcoholic beverages and tobacco, hot foods, or foods prepared for immediate consumption. Benefits may also be used to buy seeds and plants for use in gardens to produce food for the personal consumption of the household. Under certain conditions, members of the eligible households who are 60 years of age or older may use the benefits to pay for home delivered meals and other meals prepared for elderly persons.

The EBT cardholder may check account balances and history of EBT transactions, and may view frequently asked cardholder questions on the web site at: www.ebtEdge.com

Do I Qualify For Food Stamp Benefits?

To see if you might qualify for Food Stamps, a pre-screening tool for the Food Stamp Program is available.

Anyone may apply for Food Stamps. To apply, print the completed application form and fax, mail, or take it to any FSD office. View address information or fax numbers for FSD offices. Typed data on this form CANNOT BE SAVED. Instructions for completing this form are also available.

English:: Application For Food Stamp Benefits Form; Instructions: Application For Food Stamp Benefits
Español:: Solicitud De Beneficios Para El Programa Estampillas Por Alimentos Forma

Do I need to complete an interview for Food Stamp benefits?

Yes. Applicants can do this by phone or in person. If you are not available to complete the interview the day you apply, you will receive an appointment letter in the mail to complete your interview. Contact FSD to complete this by phone at 855-373-4636 or visit a FSD office to complete this in person. View address information for FSD offices. You can complete your interview Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm CST. An interview must be completed to determine your initial and continued eligibility for Food Stamp benefits.

How do I apply for replacement of Food Stamp benefits used to purchase food which has been destroyed?

If you have lost food purchased with Food Stamp benefits due to the weather, ice storm, fire, flood, tornado, or other household misfortune outside your control, contact your local county office to complete a request for replacement. Or, you may complete the Replacement Request form and return the form in person, by mail or by fax. View address information or fax numbers for FSD offices.

Missouri Employment and Training Program (METP)

Missouri offers the Missouri Employment and Training Program (METP) for Food Stamp recipients to gain skills, training or work experience. METP is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service.

The METP is offered at no cost to the participant and can help with employability and self-sufficiency. The METP is offered through Missouri's Job Center .

Food Stamp recipients are either Able Bodied Adults without Dependents (ABAWD) or volunteers. Both ABAWDs and volunteers can chose to participate in METP. To participate, visit a Missouri Job Center near you or call 888-728-JOBS (888-728-5627).

The METP offers a variety of services to participants based on an Individual Employment Plan which is created between the participant and Job Center staff. These services include:

Staff Assisted Job Search
Job Search Training —Job seeking techniques, instruction on increasing motivation and
self– confidence, job skills assessments, job finding clubs
and job placement services.
Work-Based Learning — Onsite training with employers.
Vocational Training — Training in a skill or trade.
Education — Programs or activities to improve basic skills and increase employability such as
Adult Basic Education (ABE), basic literacy, English as
a Second Language (ESL), high school equivalency, and post– secondary education.
Supportive Services – Work and transportation expenses to participate in METP.

If you are an ABAWD who is already in work or training, you can contact the Family Support Division at 1-855-FSD-INFO (1-855-373-4636) or visit a Family Support Division Resource Center to see if this meets the requirement.

Able-Bodied Adult without Dependents

An Able Bodied Adult without Dependents (ABAWD) is an 18-49 year old Food Stamp benefit recipient who does not have a child(ren) in the household under age 18 OR is not:

Unable to work due to an illness, injury or disability
Pregnant
Full-time student
Required to care for an ill or incapacitated household member
Receiving unemployment (in any state)
Attending a drug or alcohol Treatment Program

Due to a change in law, ABAWDs must participate in work or training for at least 80 hours per calendar month, or they will only receive Food Stamp benefits for a total of three months from January 2016 through December 2018. They can either meet their hours by bringing documentation to the Family Support Division or can obtain their hours through employment and training services through the Missouri Employment and Training Program (METP).

Volunteers

Volunteers are Food Stamp recipients who want to receive employment or training help to better support their family.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and equal access to services. Accordingly, DSS employees, applicants for employment, and contractors are treated equitably regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or veteran status.

All DSS contracts and vendor agreements shall contain nondiscrimination clauses as mandated by the Governor’s Executive Order 94-3, Article XIII. Such clauses shall also contain assurances of compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended and other pertinent civil rights laws and regulations.

DSS applicants for, or recipients of, services from DSS are treated equitably regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or religion. Appropriate interpretive services will be provided as required for the visually or hearing impaired and for persons with language barriers. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the Department of Social Services should notify DSS as soon as possible, and no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event, by contacting either their DSS local office or Anna Wise, DSS ADA Coordinator and Manager of the DSS Office for Civil Rights at the address/phone number listed below.

Applicants for, or recipients, of services from DSS who believe they have been denied a service or benefit may file a complaint by contacting either their DSS local office or the Missouri DSS Office for Civil Rights at (800) 776-8014; or (866) 735-2460 (Voice); (800) 735-2966 (Text). Complaints may also be filed by writing to: Missouri DSS Office for Civil Rights, P. O. Box 1527, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1527.

Applicants for, or recipients of services from DSS who believe they have been denied a service or benefit because of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or religion may also file a complaint by writing to: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, 601 East 12th Street, Room 353, Kansas City, MO 64106, (800) 368-1019 (Voice); (800) 537-7697 (TDD).

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In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 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 (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) 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 (800) 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, (AD-3027) found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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 (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
fax: (202) 690-7442; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov.