Having a hard time paying for food?
The Food Support Program is Minnesota’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Food Support program can help you or someone you know eat right when money’s tight.
Eat Right When Money’s Tight
Hundreds of thousands of lower income Minnesotans receive Food Support each month but even more are eligible. Food Support (formerly Food Stamps) helps Minnesotans with low incomes meet their nutritional needs. Children cannot learn as well, adults cannot work as productively, seniors cannot maintain their independence as well without proper nutrition.
Food Support is the basic resource for maintaining proper nutrition for people with low incomes; it is a true safety net. As of June 2010, about 420,000 Minnesotans received Food Support benefits. Statistics in Minnesota for 2009 show: The average benefit per household, per month is $198, and the average benefit per household, per month for those 60 and older is $111.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, which administers the Food Support program, wants everyone who is eligible for the program, particularly senior citizens, to participate and ensure they get the healthy meals they need.
Enrolling individuals in the food support program can help take some financial burden off their hands and bring them closer to financial self sufficiency as well as a healthier lifestyle.
Statewide HelpLine
Call Toll Free 1-888-711-1151
And, did you know...?
Children automatically qualify for free school breakfast and lunch
when the receive Food benefits. Some participants may qualify for WIC benefits.
EBT cards, which are similar to debit cards, can be used in approximately 171,000 authorized retail stores nationwide.
SNAP is good for communities. Every $5 in new Food Support Benefits generates nearly twice as much ($9.70) in total community spending.
