FAQs

Do I qualify for SNAP?

How much can I receive in benefits?

What can I buy with these benefits?

Where can I spend these benefits?

When will I receive benefits?

How often will I need to recertify?

What if I am not a US Citizen?

Do I qualify for SNAP?

If you are attending school at least half-time, you must meet a student exemption to be eligible. If you are enrolled less than half-time, other factors may apply, as shown below:

• Meet state and federal income guidelines.

• If attending school at least half-time:
  • Work at least 20 hours a week or meet another student exemption
  • Receive less than 50% of your meals through either a mandatory or optional meal plan
  • Care for a child under the age of six
  • Care for a child age 6-11 AND a single parent OR without adequate child care to allow compliance with the student work requirement
  • Have a documented physical or mental disability
  • Included in an ADC or TANF grant unit

How much can I receive in benefits?

How much you receive in SNAP benefits is dependent on several factors, such as household size, income, expense allowances, and shelter calculations, among others.

What can I buy with these benefits?

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Breads and cereals
• Other foods, such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat

Where can I spend these benefits?

• In Store

There are several SNAP-approved retailers located in the Omaha area including Walmart, Bakers, Hy-Vee, and Whole Foods. For a complete list of SNAP retailers in Nebraska, you can use an online locater such as the one provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Omaha Farmers Market: SNAP and Double Up

Furthermore, you can use your EBT card at the Omaha Farmers Market to purchase SNAP tokens and double up your dollars with "Double Up Food Bucks" vouchers! Here's how to do it:

1. Visit the information booth on-site and swipe your EBT card to receive green SNAP tokens.
2. When you get your SNAP tokens, EBT users will also receive FREE FUNDS matched for every dollar up to $20 in Double Up Food Bucks.
3. Shop the Omaha Farmer's Market!

SNAP tokens can be used to purchase meat, baked goods, fruits/vegetables, jams/jellies/salsa/condiments, spices, and snack foods.

Double Up Food Bucks can be used to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs only.

The Omaha Farmer's Market runs from May 5th to October 13th and is located in the Old Market, Saturday's from 8am to 12:30pm and Askarben Village from 9am to 1pm.

When will I receive benefits?

Eligibility must be determined within 30 days of application. However, the approval process may go much faster if all required documentation is submitted in a timely manner.

How often will I need to recertify?

You will need to recertify your benefits every six months.

Additionally, you will be responsible for notifying the DHHS if the changes noted below occur:

• If total household gross income exceeds 130% FPL (and was not over 130% FPL at certification)
• If a non-exempt ABAWD falls below participation levels
• Receipt if substantial gambling or lottery winnings that exceed $4250

What if I am not a US Citizen?

SNAP may be awarded to qualified aliens. Individuals are eligible if they were lawfully admitted and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Is age 65 or older and was lawfully residing in the US on 08-22-96.
2. Had citizenship verified through SSI, SSDI or are/were enrolled in Medicare benefits
3. Is under the age of 18 for SNAP
4. Has resided in the US for at least five years with a lawful resident status.
5. If none of the certeria 1 -5 is met, they must meet one of the criteria listed below to be considered eligible.

A. A refugee who is admitted to the United States under section 207 of the INA*

B. An alien who was granted asylum under section 208 of the INA*

C. An alien who is paroled into the U.S. under section 212(d)(5) of the INA for a period of at least one year*

D. An alien whose deportation is withheld under section 241 (b)(3) of the INA*

E. An alien granted status as a Cuban or Haitian entrant as defined in Section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980*

F. An alien granted status as an Afghan special immigrant or Afghan Humanitarian parolee*

G. An alien granted status as a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee*

H. An Amerasian admitted pursuant to section 584 of Public Law 100 -202, as amended by Public Law 100-461*

I. An alien who meets certain U.S. military eligibility criteria, including honorably discharged veterans meeting minimum service requirements, individuals on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, or the spouse or unmarried dependant child)ren) of a person with certain military involvement.

* Status must be verified through USCIS documentation

** This List is not all-inclusive and should not be considered a final determination of eligibility.