As the cost of living continues to rise, many families are struggling to put food on the table. In Oklahoma, there are a number of food assistance programs available to help low-income families, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP provides monthly benefits that can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers. In some cases, states may provide additional SNAP benefits during times of crisis, such as natural disasters or economic downturns.
So, will Oklahoma get extra food stamps this month? The answer is yes. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has announced that it will be providing additional SNAP benefits to all eligible households in the state for the month of March 2023. The extra benefits will be equal to 30% of the household’s regular SNAP benefit amount.
This means that a household that normally receives $500 in SNAP benefits will receive an additional $150 in benefits this month.
Oklahoma Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits
The Oklahoma Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Oklahoma, you must meet certain income and asset limits. You must also be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.The
typical benefit amount for SNAP recipients in Oklahoma varies depending on household size and income. For a one-person household with a net income of $1,000 per month, the SNAP benefit amount is $250 per month. For a four-person household with a net income of $2,000 per month, the SNAP benefit amount is $500 per month.There
have been no recent changes or updates to the SNAP program in Oklahoma.
SNAP Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Oklahoma, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
- You must have a gross income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
- You must have net income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
- You must have assets at or below $2,500 for a one-person household or $4,000 for a two-person household.
SNAP Benefit Amounts
The SNAP benefit amount you receive each month is based on your household size and income. The following table shows the maximum SNAP benefit amounts for different household sizes in Oklahoma:| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount ||—|—|| 1 | $250 || 2 | $459 || 3 | $658 || 4 | $835 || 5 | $992 || 6 | $1,149 || 7 | $1,306 || 8 | $1,463 |
Emergency SNAP (ESNAP) Benefits
Emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (ESNAP) benefits are temporary, one-time supplemental food assistance provided to low-income households affected by natural disasters. ESNAP benefits help eligible households purchase food to meet their immediate needs after a disaster.In Oklahoma, ESNAP benefits may be available to households that meet certain eligibility criteria, including:
- Residing in a county declared a disaster area by the federal government
- Meeting the income and asset limits for SNAP benefits
- Experiencing food insecurity as a result of the disaster
To apply for ESNAP benefits in Oklahoma, eligible households can:
- Visit their local Department of Human Services (DHS) office
- Call the DHS SNAP hotline at 1-800-522-0033
- Apply online at the DHS website: https://oklahoma.gov/ohd/programs-and-services/snap
Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) Benefits
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits provide temporary food assistance to low-income households affected by a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or wildfire. These benefits are available in Oklahoma to individuals and families who meet certain eligibility criteria.
D-SNAP benefits are intended to help households replace food that was lost or destroyed due to a disaster. These benefits are not intended to cover all food costs, but rather to supplement other resources that households may have available.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for D-SNAP benefits in Oklahoma, households must meet the following criteria:
- Reside in a county that has been declared a disaster area by the federal government
- Have experienced food loss or damage due to the disaster
- Meet the income and asset limits for SNAP benefits
Application Process
To apply for D-SNAP benefits in Oklahoma, households can visit their local Department of Human Services (DHS) office or apply online at https://okdhslive.ok.gov/. Households will need to provide documentation of their identity, income, and assets, as well as proof of the food loss or damage they experienced.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-pregnant, post-partum women, infants, and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.
The WIC program provides a variety of foods, including milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. WIC also provides nutrition education and counseling to help participants make healthy choices for themselves and their families.
Eligibility Criteria for WIC Benefits in Oklahoma
To be eligible for WIC benefits in Oklahoma, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Oklahoma.
- Be a pregnant woman, breastfeeding woman, non-pregnant, post-partum woman, infant, or child up to age five.
- Meet the income guidelines.
- Be at nutritional risk.
The income guidelines for WIC benefits in Oklahoma are based on the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the income limit is $47,880 per year.
To determine if you are at nutritional risk, WIC staff will ask you about your dietary intake, medical history, and other factors.
Process for Applying for WIC Benefits in Oklahoma
To apply for WIC benefits in Oklahoma, you can either visit your local WIC clinic or apply online.
To apply in person, you will need to bring the following documents:
- Proof of identity.
- Proof of income.
- Proof of residency.
- Proof of pregnancy or breastfeeding (if applicable).
- Proof of child’s age (if applicable).
To apply online, you will need to create an account on the Oklahoma WIC website. Once you have created an account, you will be able to complete the WIC application online.
Once you have applied for WIC benefits, you will be scheduled for an appointment with a WIC staff member. At your appointment, the WIC staff member will review your application, determine if you are eligible for benefits, and issue you a WIC card.
Other Food Assistance in OK
In addition to SNAP and WIC, there are several other food assistance programs available in the state of OK. These programs are intended to help low-income families and individuals meet their food needs.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) is a federally funded program that provides food assistance to low-income women, children, and seniors. The program is administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
To be eligibile for CSFP, applicants must be low-income and at risk of nutritional deficiencies. Eligible individuals receive a box of food each month that contains a variety of nutritious food items, including canned goods, rice, and peanut butter.
To apply for CSFP, contact your local county extension office.
The Soup Opera
The Soup Opera is a non-governmental organization that provides hot and nutritious food to low-income individuals in the OKC metropolitan area.
To receive services from The Soup Opera, individuals must be homeless or living at or below the federal provery level.
The Soup Opera offers a variety of services, including a daily meal program, a food panty, and a clothing closet.
To learn more about The Soup Opera, visit their website at www.thesoupopera.org.
Feeding America
Feeding America is a national non-governmental organization that works to alleviate hunger in the United States.
Feeding America has a number of programs that help low-income families and individuals access food, including food banks, pantries, and meal programs.
To find a food bank or panty near you, visit the Food Bank Locator at www.feedingameirca.org.
Outcome Summary
The additional SNAP benefits will be available to all eligible households in Oklahoma, regardless of whether they have been affected by the recent winter storms. Households do not need to take any action to receive the extra benefits. They will be automatically added to the household’s EBT card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for SNAP benefits in Oklahoma?
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Oklahoma, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of Oklahoma
- Meet the income and asset limits
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen
- Not be disqualified due to a felony drug conviction
How much are the typical SNAP benefit amounts in Oklahoma?
The typical SNAP benefit amounts in Oklahoma vary depending on the household size and income. For a household of one person, the maximum monthly benefit is $281. For a household of two people, the maximum monthly benefit is $459. For a household of three people, the maximum monthly benefit is $658. For a household of four people, the maximum monthly benefit is $835.
What are the recent changes or updates to the SNAP program in Oklahoma?
In October 2023, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services announced that it would be increasing the SNAP benefit amounts for all eligible households. The new benefit amounts are effective for the month of November 2023 and will continue through September 2024.
