How to appeal if your SNAP benefits are denied

Every month, state governments are responsible for issuing millions of payments to recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP.

Through this federal program, which is administered at the state level, the government offers economic relief in the form of what were once called ‘food stamps’ for low-income families who struggle to put food on their tables every day. Benefits are deposited monthly on an EBT debit card that can be used at select stores and markets.

Since the program is administered at the state level, each state has different eligibility requirements when applying for benefits. Unfortunately, there are cases where beneficiary requests are denied due to errors made either by the applicant or the person receiving the application.

“The slightest oversight or error can negatively affect your benefit determination,” notes Sandy Bauer, director of NCOA’s MIPPA Resource Center, in a fact sheet collected by Solo Dinero.

If for any reason your application for SNAP was denied and you disagree with the decision, you can appeal the denial through a hearing before the state Department of Human Services (DHS).

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How to appeal if you are denied SNAP benefits

Failure to meet the citizenship, residency, income limit, or documentation requirements, could result in your application for SNAP being denied. However, there is a way to appeal to DHS.

To do this, you will need to locate the part that says “I want to appeal” in your denial letter. There you will have to write the phrase “I do not agree with this decision”, sign, date and take it directly to your your local SNAP office, this will start your appeal process formally.

If you prefer, you can contact your state's DHS directly and follow the phone prompts to file an appeal. Later, you will be connected with an advisor who will help you with the process. To follow up on the case, you will need to write a letter and email it to your caseworker.

Once the appeal process has started, you will have to wait a couple of weeks to receive a letter from DHS informing you of the status of your application as well as more details of your hearing.

In which cases does the appeal apply?

The right to appeal only applies if you misinterpreted the eligibility requirements, miscalculated your income, missed an interview, or accidentally left out important information.