Reporting changes and renewing your SNAP

Reporting changes

Your approval notice tells you which changes you must report and how. States use different systems, so follow your notice. Under federal rules, you usually have 10 days to report a required change, counted either from when you learn about it or from the end of the month it happened. For a pay change, the clock usually starts with the first paycheck at the new amount.

Many states use simplified reporting. If yours does, you only have to report between renewals when:

• Your household's monthly gross income goes over the gross limit for your size
• An adult covered by the time limit drops below 20 hours of work a week, averaged over the month
• Someone in the household wins a large lottery or gambling prize

You can always report changes that would raise your benefit, such as higher rent, a new baby, or losing a job. Reporting those sooner gets you the higher amount sooner.

Renewing (recertification)

You get SNAP for a set period, usually up to 12 months. States can approve households where every adult is 60 or older or disabled for up to 24 months, with a check-in each year.

Before your period ends, the state sends a notice to renew. Renewing usually means a form, an interview and updated proof of income and costs. Turn it in as early as you can. The state must give you at least 10 days after the interview to send proof.

If you miss your renewal interview, call and ask for another one. The state has to schedule a second interview if you ask.

If your benefits stop

If you miss the renewal and your benefits end, contact your SNAP office right away. In many cases you can finish the renewal within 30 days after it ended and get your benefits back without starting over. If not, reapply; benefits count from your new application date.

Sources: 7 CFR 273.14, recertification, eCFR; SNAP eligibility, USDA.