Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I receive in benefits?
What can I buy with these benefits?
Where can I spend these benefits?
How often will I need to recertify?
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?
There are several SNAP-approved retailers located in the Omaha area, including Walmart, Bakers, HyVee, 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.
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