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Find out how to get food in case of an emergency, apply for food stamps and what free or low-cost food programs are available for infants, children and seniors. Learn about rule changes during the coronavirus emergency.
If you’re hungry now:
Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273). Information is available in English and Spanish. The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
Contact community or religious organizations.
You may now have an easier time getting food through government meal programs. During the coronavirus emergency:
Food stamp (SNAP) recipients may receive supplemental funding
Parents can pick up school meals for their kids to eat at home
People can enroll in food programs remotely rather than in person. This applies to programs for pregnant women, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
Read about these and other government meal program adjustments during the coronavirus pandemic. To enroll or get other information:
See information on individual programs on the USA.gov Food Assistance page
For more information on school meals, check your child's school or school district website.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal nutrition program. Known previously as "food stamps," SNAP benefits can help you stretch your food budget if you have a low income.
If you’re eligible, you can purchase food using benefits that are issued to you monthly. SNAP benefits can be used to buy a variety of foods for your household, including:
Fruits and vegetables
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Breads and cereals
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a list of foods and products that are eligible to buy using SNAP benefits.
To determine if you are eligible, you must meet certain requirements. States can use your resources, such as money in the bank, and income limits to decide if you qualify for SNAP.
Find the online application for your state, local office addresses, and phone numbers. You may also apply in person at a state or local office.
Your state will issue benefits each month on a plastic electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. Much like a credit or debit card, you can use your EBT card to buy eligible food items. You must buy them from:
Some states have websites set up for managing your benefits. If your state doesn't have an EBT management website, you can contact your state SNAP office to check your benefits.
Whether you currently receive SNAP benefits or you're in the process of applying, you can file a complaint using these resources:
Contact your local field office to request a hearing if you have questions about your benefit amount
File a complaint online or by phone about a SNAP retailer. You will need to give the name and the location of the store. You may remain anonymous if you choose.
Contact your state's SNAP fraud hotline or website if you suspect fraud or abuse of the SNAP program.
Learn how to file a complaint if you believe you have experienced discrimination in the SNAP program because of:
Age
Sex
Color
Race
Disability
Religious creed
National origin
English proficiency
Political beliefs
Learn how to work with SNAP if you are a retailer or if you operate a farmers market.
This short-term program can help you get healthy food for yourself and your young children.
Many low-income women and young children can get healthy food to add to their diet. It’s available through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). WIC also offers nutrition counseling and referrals to health, welfare, and social services.
If you’re applying for yourself, you must be at least one of the following:
Pregnant
Breastfeeding
Within six months of having given birth or pregnancy ending
If you’re applying for your children, they must be under five years old.
You must meet other WIC eligibility requirements based on your income, your health, and where you live.
Contact your state or local WIC agency for an appointment. When you call, someone will tell you where to apply and what to bring with you.
For more information, contact your state or local WIC agency. You can also call its toll-free number.
Your agency may not have enough money to serve everyone who needs WIC. In that case, it will maintain a waiting list and use a priority system to decide who will get WIC benefits first.
These programs can help you get healthy food for your children at their school, childcare center, or after-school program.
Kids from qualified, low-income households can get healthy meals or milk.
Two programs provide free or reduced-price meals at school:
Schools that don't offer meal programs may provide milk to kids at schools.
The Summer Food Service Program offers free breakfast and lunch over summer break.
Your kids automatically qualify for free meals or milk if:
You receive SNAP (food stamps), TANF (welfare), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
They are foster children under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court
They’re enrolled in Head Start
Your kids may qualify if your household income is within the Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines. These guidelines are based on federal poverty guidelines.
If your income is no more than 130 percent of the poverty level, they should qualify for free meals.
If your income is no more than 185 percent of the poverty level, they should qualify for reduced-price meals.
The summer food service program is open to all kids and teens 18 and under at locations around the country. Find a site near you.
Submit an application from the school. You can do this at the beginning of the school year or at any time if circumstances change.
Contact your local school or school district for more information.
Two federally-sponsored programs aim to get nutritious foods to low-income seniors.
Most states offer these programs for low-income seniors:
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program - Provides coupons for fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. Use them at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community farms.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program - Provides a monthly package of healthy food
If you're 60 or older, low-income, and live in an area that offers either program, you may apply for it.
Check the farmers’ market program map to see if your state offers it. Find your income limit.
Check the supplemental food program fact sheet to see if your state offers it. Find your income limit.
For the farmers’ market program, contact your state program office. If you get SNAP (food stamps) or supplemental food packages, contact that local office.
For the Commodity Supplemental Food Program:
Call 1-866-348-6479 to find your state contact
Or, find the closest commodity food distribution contact
You may qualify for other programs including:
Check the websites above or your local senior community center to learn more.
If the president authorizes individual disaster assistance for your area, you may qualify for D-SNAP.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is also known as food stamps for disaster situations. D-SNAP provides one month’s worth of benefits on a debit-type card that you can use at most grocery stores.
Once your state sets up a D-SNAP program, you’ll have about a week to apply.
If you qualify, you’ll receive benefits within three days.
You may qualify for D-SNAP even if you wouldn't qualify for regular SNAP (food stamps) because:
You may be out of work due to the disaster.
You may be facing costly home repairs.
If you already receive SNAP, you can apply for D-SNAP if the amount you’d receive is more than you get under SNAP.
As a separate benefit, you may be able to get free meals for your children or your entire family. This is provided through the school meals programs.
Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.
Last Updated: April 23, 2020
