If you're denied or your SNAP is cut, and other help

Mistakes happen with SNAP, especially with income and household details. If you think a decision is wrong, you can challenge it.

Read the notice

Every decision notice has to say what the state decided and why, and explain how to ask for a fair hearing. Sometimes the reason is a missing document or a wrong number that a phone call can fix. Call your caseworker first if the reason looks like a simple mistake, and ask for a supervisor if you can't sort it out.

Ask for a fair hearing

A fair hearing is a review of your case by a hearing officer who wasn't part of the decision. You can ask for one about any decision, such as a denial, a lower benefit or your case being closed. You must ask within 90 days of the decision, by phone, in writing or in person at your SNAP office.

If your benefits are being cut or stopped and you ask for a hearing before the change takes effect (the date is on your notice), your benefits can usually continue at the old amount until the decision. If you lose the hearing, you may have to pay back the extra, so ask legal aid whether to request this.

Free legal help

Legal aid offices help with SNAP appeals for free. Find one near you at LawHelp.org.

Food while you wait

Food banks and pantries can help right away. The USDA National Hunger Hotline can point you to one at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479), Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern.

Check everything you qualify for

Families who qualify for SNAP often qualify for Medicaid, WIC, energy help and free school meals too. Our benefit finder checks them in a couple of minutes, and our free Medicaid course walks you through getting and keeping health coverage.

Sources: 7 CFR 273.15, fair hearings, eCFR; National Hunger Hotline, USDA.