How To Apply For Montana Food Stamps
View the information below if you are interested in applying for food stamps in Montana. It is important that you have all the documentation and information needed so the application process is not delayed. If you still have questions or issues about applying for food stamps, known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), then you can call the Montana SNAP hotline at 888-706-1535. The department that handles this program is called the Montana Public Health and Human Services.
The federal Food Stamp Program was renamed the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The name change more accurately reflects the mission of providing supplemental food and nutrition assistance to low income people. SNAP recipients use EBT cards, which are similar to debit cards, to purchase food in authorized retail stores.
Montana food stamp eligibility requirement
Before you apply for SNAP benefits, they recommend you read this document. People who live together and buy food and prepare meals together are grouped as a "household" for SNAP. Husbands and wives, and children under age 22 living with their natural, adoptive or stepparents must be considered as one household. Household members that wish to be included must be US citizens or legal aliens.
Household members that wish to be included must furnish or apply for a social security number. Income and resource guidelines listed in this overview must be met. Able-bodied household members who are age 16 through 59 must register for work, and may be required to participate in a SNAP Employment and Training Program unless a specified exemption is met.
How to apply for Montana food stamps
You can quickly and easily apply online at apply.mt.gov. Or, if you want to get an application to fill out in person, call or visit your local Office of Public Assistance. You can also send a request through email for a copy of the Montana food stamp application.
Montana SNAP expedited services
The intent of expedited services is to make food benefits available within 7 calendar days of the application date to eligible households who meet the following criteria:
- Households with less than $150 in monthly gross income and $100 or less in liquid resources or
- Migrant or seasonal farm worker households with $100 or less in liquid resources or
- Households with a combined monthly gross income and liquid resources less than the household's monthly rent (or mortgage) and utilities
Financial criteria
Households who meet the gross and net income standards listed below may participate in SNAP. Households who meet the gross monthly income standard are then evaluated for the net monthly income standard after allowable deductions have been taken into consideration.
SNAP income limits
| Households that meet Expanded Categorical Eligibility Criteria | All Other Households | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| People in Household | Gross Monthly Income Standard | Net Monthly Income Standard | People in Household | Gross Monthly Income Standard | Net Monthly Income Standard |
| 1 | $1,980 | $990 | 1 | $1,287 | $990 |
| 2 | $2,670 | $1,335 | 2 | $1,736 | $1,335 |
| 3 | $3,360 | $1,680 | 3 | $2,184 | $1,680 |
| 4 | $4,050 | $2,025 | 4 | $2,633 | $2,025 |
| 5 | $4,740 | $2,370 | 5 | $3,081 | $2,370 |
| 6 | $5,430 | $2,715 | 6 | $3,530 | $2,715 |
| 7 | $6,122 | $3,061 | 7 | $3,980 | $3,061 |
| 8 | $6,816 | $3,408 | 8 | $4,430 | $3,408 |
| Each Additional Member | +$694 | +$347 | Each Additional Member | +$451 | +$347 |
Resources of individuals that meet the Expanded Categorical Eligibility criteria are excluded. If all members of your household meet Expanded Categorical Eligibility criteria all household resources are excluded. Please call the Montana Public Assistance Helpline at 888-706-1535 option #3, or go to your local Office of Public Assistance to find out if your household meets Expanded Categorical Eligibility Criteria.
If the household does not meet Expanded Categorical Eligibility criteria, countable household resources cannot exceed: $3,250 for households that include a member age 60 or over, or include a disabled household member, and $2,250 for all other households. The home you live in, vehicles, tax-preferred educational and retirement accounts, and combat-related military pay are excluded as resources. Households in which all household members are receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, tribal TANF cash assistance, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not subject to a resource limit.
Allowable deductions for SNAP are listed below. The following deductions can be subtracted from countable income when determining a household’s SNAP benefits:
- Twenty percent (20%) of the total gross earned income for each household
- A standard deduction of the net income limit based on the household size
- Certain dependent-care costs
- Legally owed and paid child support
- A percentage of shelter costs
- A medical expense deduction can be allowed for the portion of non-reimbursable medical expenses that exceed $35 per month per household. This deduction is allowed for elderly and disabled household members