Arkansas Food Stamps Eligibility

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Who is Eligible for Arkansas Food Stamp (SNAP) Benefits?

The Arkansas Food Stamps eligibility rules and benefit amounts are based on residency, limited income, limited liquid resources, household size, work requirement and other factors depending on the applicant case. Most eligibility rules are determined by regulations issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service.

The federal law allows States some flexibility when using the federal grants to implement SNAP on State level. State agencies can adapt some of the food assistance program rules in order to meet the needs of the low‐income local population.

Arkansas Food Stamps Eligibility and the SNAP assistance are designed for individuals and families with limited income resources, who compose a household, purchase and prepare their meals together for home consumption.

Arkansas applicants for SNAP benefits must meet the following basic eligibility requirements:

  • State of Arkansas Resident – U.S. Citizen or qualified non-citizen status;
  • Work Requirement – unless exempted, each household member between 16-59 years old must work, participate in employment and training program, or be registered to work;
  • Resource Test – have countable household assets limited to $2,250 or less ($3,250 or less for households containing a member who is disabled or 60 years of age or older);
  • Income Test – Income limits eligibility depends on household size and composition. Households with no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both gross and net income limits. Households with elderly or disabled individuals must meet only the net income limits. Gross income includes wages, salaries, commissions, dividends, child support, self-employment income, unemployment compensation, social security benefits, etc. There are special rules for Arkansas Permanent Fund Dividends. See the table with Arkansas food stamp income limits per household size below.

Quick Check for Arkansas Food Stamps Eligibility (SNAP benefits)

Arkansas residents interested in food assistance can use this Pre-Screening Eligibility Tool, provided by the Federal Government, to find out if they might be eligible to get the Arkansas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (Food Stamps). The Screening allows potential applicants for Arkansas food stamps to provide some basic information and determine if they are potentially eligible for benefits. Although you will be notified immediately if you qualify after completing the questionnaire you still have to make and sign an application at your local County DHS office.

Arkansas Department of Human Services offers Access Arkansas Screening Tool. This is a helpful online service that gives a quick and easy way to find out if your household might be able to get on or more of the following Arkansas assistance programs and services:

  • Alternatives for Adults with Physical Disabilities – Caregiver assistance for adults with physical disabilities
  • ElderChoices – In-home and community-based care for the elderly
  • IndependentChoices – Assistance with personal care for adults
  • Living Choices – Assisted Living – A Medicaid program that allows you to live in a licensed Level II Assisted Living Facility
  • Arkansas Better Chance – Services for educationally deprived children
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program – Provides reimbursements for well-balanced nutritious meals served by providers at day care facilities
  • Child Care Assistance – Financial assistance for child care
  • National School Lunch Program – Provides reimbursement to private schools and residential child care facilities that serve children well-balanced nutritious meals
  • Summer Food Service Program – Provides reimbursements to sponsors for well-balanced nutritious meals served during the summer
  • ARKids First (A & B) – Children’s Health Insurance
  • Former Foster Care Health Coverage for Adults – Coverage for adults up to age 26 who aged out of Foster Care in Arkansas
  • Health Care Independence Program – Health Care Coverage for Adults 19-64
  • Medicare Savings Assistance with premiums – Provides help with paying Medicare Part B premiums
  • Pregnant Women Health Coverage – Coverage to women age 19 and up who are pregnant at the application
  • Refugee Resettlement – Provides services to refugee families
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Assistance buying food
  • Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) – provides case management services to assist families with children under 18 years old with finding employment […]

Click on the link to learn more and Access Arkansas Screening Tool

Arkansas Food Stamps (SNAP) | Apply | Approval | Benefits

To figure out, before applying,  if you'd qualify for food stamps benefits in your state you have to consider the following:

  1. Your Household size: How many people you live and buy food with? Count:
    • anyone you live with and buy and make food with
    • children under 22 years old and,
    • elderly 60+ and disabled that you make food for.
  2. Your Income: How much money does your household make? This includes both:
    • earned income - the money you make from jobs and
    • unearned income  - cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, child support, etc.

Who counts as a member of the household for SNAP eligibility?

In general, anyone who lives with you and you buy food with counts a member of your household.

Your children under 22 of age count as household members, even if they buy and make their own food.

But your tenant, for example, or your adult children that are over 22 of age do not count. They are not counted in the household number for the purpose of food stamp benefits qualification.

The elderly age of 60+ and disabled people count as household members if you buy and make food for them, or you buy and make food together. If they live with you, but they buy and make food separately, they do not count as household members.

See the updated table below for this fiscal year's income limits and monthly benefits (allotments).

What is the gross and net income limit that qualifies you for food stamps?

SNAP Max Income for Food Stamps
Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020 

Household
Size
Gross Monthly
Income Limits
(130% of poverty)
Net Monthly
Income Limits
(100% of poverty)
Max Food
Assistance
Benefit Monthly
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

 Source:  USDA, SNAP Income Eligibility Standards

%

Approx. of the total Arkansas population received Food Stamp Benefits in 2018

Recipients in June, 2018 of Food Stamps (SNAP) Benefits in Arkansas

Arkansas Food Assistance Benefits

Find more on what kind of food you can buy using your Arkansas Food Assistance benefits…

Food Assistance Program | Eligibility | Apply | Approval | Benefits