SNAP Benefits

Are you a student, age 18 to 49 enrolled at least half-time in a college, university, community college, or business, technical, trade, or vocational school that requires a high school diploma?

If so, you may be eligible for food assistance through New Jersey’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  SNAP is a federal program that can help individuals and families with low incomes buy the groceries they need to eat healthily.  Eligibility depends on several factors like income, household size, resources, etc.

In addition to income eligibility factors, students also must fit at least ONE of the following requirements.

Students must be:

• Enrolled in an approved Career and Technical Education Program at a New Jersey community college;
• Employed at least 20 hours per week AND paid for such work;
• Participating in a federal work study program during the school year;
• Participating in an on-the-job training program;
• Responsible for the care of a member of your household who is a dependent under the age of six years-old;
• A single parent enrolled full-time AND responsible for a dependent under the age 12 years-old;
• Unable to work due to a physical or mental disability; or
• Receiving Work First New Jersey (WFNJ) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits (cash assistance).

Here are some helpful links to assist you with the SNAP application process:

• Read the NJ SNAP FAQs online.
• Watch the NJ SNAP application tutorial.
• Fill out the Step by Step NJ SNAP Student Eligibility Verification Form (PDF)
• Screen and Apply
  • Screening takes about 5-10 minutes to complete, and you will need to provide monthly income information.
  • Completing an application takes about 20-45 minutes. It will take longer to apply than to screen because you will need to provide more detailed income and personal information.

NJ SNAP benefits are issued on an EBT card that works like a debit card. This card can be used in most grocery stores and some participating farmers market. You can find participating grocery stores by clicking here.

NJ SNAP can be used to buy food like:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Beans, fish, poultry, meat;
• Rice, bread, tortillas, cereal;
• Milk and cheese; and
• Seeds and plants that produce food.

NJ SNAP cannot be used to buy:

• Alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes;
• Non-food items (pet food, toilet paper, diapers, soap, etc.);
• Vitamins and medicine;
• Hot and prepared food or meals