Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP is the largest federal nutrition assistance program in the nation. It helps low-income households buy the food they need for good health. Applicants must file an application and meet all financial and technical eligibility factors prior to the issuance of benefits.
Eat Right & Stay Healthy
You may be eligible to receive SNAP if you:
- Are unemployed, work part-time, or earn low wages
- Receive public assistance payments
- Are elderly or disabled
- Are homeless or unhoused
The amount of SNAP you are eligible for is based upon the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Thrifty Food Plan. The Thrifty Food Plan is an estimate of how much it costs to buy food to prepare nutritious, low-cost meals for your household. This estimate is changed every year to keep pace with food prices.
In the SNAP Program, a household is normally a group of people who live together, buy food and prepare meals together. If your household passes the program's eligibility tests, the amount of food purchasing assistance you receive will depend on the number of people in your household and on how much monthly income is left after certain expenses (deductions) are subtracted.
More Information
The income eligibility guideline requirements can be viewed at the USDA.
To find out if you qualify for this program, you may apply online at Maryland Benefits or visit one of the local offices. If you don't qualify for SNAP benefits, local food pantries and community food programs are available to help meet your needs. Find a local food pantry.
The following service centers will now have permanent food pantries to further serve Prince Georgians Monday through Friday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.:
North County — New!
- 6505 Bellcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782
Central County
- 425 Brightseat Road, Landover, MD 20785
South County — New!
- 4235 28th Avenue, Temple Hills, MD 20748
No registration is required to receive food from these food pantries. Food is available to all County residents, and walk-ups are welcome.
For information about how to maximize your Food Supplement Program assistance funds, read Eat Right When Money's Tight (PDF).
Interpretation Services
Interpretation Services are available free of charge for limited English proficiency customers. Please contact one of the Local Offices for assistance.