An introduction to food stamps
by: Adapted from materials from the USDA
What are food stamps and how do they work?
The food stamp program provides money to buy food for low-income people.
It works like this. You get something like a debit card, not stamps. It's called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. When you go to the store, you swipe your card and enter a PIN number at the check-out. Money on your card pays for the groceries. The government will add money onto your card every month.
What can you buy with your card?
You can buy food. You can also buy seeds or plants so you can grow your own food.
You are NOT allowed to buy
- any nonfood item such as pet food, toothpast, soap, etc.;
- alcohol or tobacco products;
- vitamins or medications;
- food which is meant to be eaten in the store; and
- hot food (you can't use it at restaurants).
Who can get food stamps?
Food stamps are for people who have income levels at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. You can't make over a certain amount of money to get food stamps. The levels are shown on the chart below.
| Household size |
Household NET income level (after taxes) |
| 1 |
$798/month |
| 2 |
$1070/month |
| 3 |
$1341/month |
| 4 |
$1613/month |
| 5 |
$1885/month |
| 6 |
$2156/month |
| 7 |
$2428/month |
| 8 |
$2700/month |
| Each additional member |
Add $272/month |
Also, you can't have too much money in your bank accounts.
- You must have less than $2,001 in all of your bank accounts combined
- BUT, you can have up to $3,001 in all of your bank accounts combined IF
- Someone over 60 is a household member
- A disabled person is a household member
SSI, TANF, and most pension payments do not count as income, so don't include these when you add up your income level.
There may be other requirements you have to meet. Contact your local food stamp office to find out more.
How much do you get in food stamps per month?
The food stamp limit sets a limit on how much you can get per month.
| Household size |
Monthly limit |
| 1 |
$152 |
| 2 |
278 |
| 3 |
399 |
| 4 |
506 |
| 5 |
601 |
| 6 |
722 |
| 7 |
798 |
| 8 |
912 |
| Each additional person |
Add 114 |
How much you get depends on how many people are in your household and your household income. There are a number of other factors as well. You should contact a food stamps office to find out more.
How do you apply?
You can visit one of the Wyoming Department of Family Services offices around the state. Offices are located in most major towns around the state. Click here to find an office close to you.
You can call 1-800-457-3659.
You can print an application. Click here to download the application.
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