Many people in Maine are asking if they will receive an additional amount of food stamps this month. The answer is yes, Maine is distributing emergency allotment food stamps due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The state is increasing food stamp benefits for all recipients to the maximum amount allowed. This means that a household of four will receive a maximum of $835 in food stamps this month, compared to the usual $680. The emergency allotment is intended to help families struggling to afford food during the pandemic.
Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced that SNAP emergency allotments will continue in March 2023 for eligible households.
SNAP Emergency Allotments
- SNAP Emergency Allotments: SNAP emergency allotments are additional benefits that are provided to eligible households to help them purchase food. These benefits are available until the end of the COVID-19 emergency declaration, which is currently scheduled to end on March 31, 2023.
- Eligible Households: SNAP emergency allotments are available to eligible SNAP households who meet the following criteria:
- The household’s total gross income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty level.
- The household’s net income is at or below 100% of the federal poverty level.
- The household has at least one member who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
- Amount of SNAP Emergency Allotments: The amount of SNAP emergency allotments that a household receives depends on the household’s size and income. The maximum SNAP emergency allotment for a household of four is $455 per month.
- How to Apply for SNAP Emergency Allotments: Eligible households do not need to apply for SNAP emergency allotments. The benefits will be automatically added to their EBT cards.
- If your benefit date falls on a holiday, you will receive your benefits the business day before.
- If you do not receive your benefits on your scheduled date, you should contact your local Maine DHHS office.
- Be a resident of Maine
- Meet the SNAP income and asset limits
- Be a member of a household that qualifies for SNAP benefits
- Go to the Maine DHHS website
- Click on the “Apply for Benefits” tab
- Select “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)”
- Follow the instructions on the website
- Download the SNAP application form
- Fill out the application form completely
- Mail the application form to the address on the form
- Go to your local DHHS office
- Ask for a SNAP application form
- Fill out the application form completely
- Submit the application form to a DHHS staff member
- Be a resident of Maine.
- Have a social security number or a legal alien status that allows you to work in the U.S. (Permanent resident, refugee, asylee, etc.).
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain immigrant status requirements.
- Meet the gross and net income limits. Gross income is your income before taxes and other deductions. Net income is your income after taxes and certain deductions have been taken out.
- Meet the asset limits. Assets include things you own, like cash, bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. Vehicles and your home are not counted as assets.
- For households with one or more members age 60 or older, or a disabled member, the limit is $3,000.
- For all other households, the limit is $2,000.
Table: SNAP Emergency Allotment Amounts for Maine
Household Size SNAP Emergency Allotment 1 $234 2 $422 3 $587 4 $752 5 $916 6 $1,081 7 $1,245 8 $1,410 For more information about SNAP emergency allotments, please visit the Maine DHHS website or call the Maine DHHS SNAP hotline at 1-800-442-6400.
SNAP Benefit Schedule in Maine
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are distributed on a monthly schedule in Maine. The exact date you receive your benefits depends on the last digit of your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card number.
Benefit Schedule
Last Digit of EBT Card Number Benefit Date 0 2nd of the month 1 3rd of the month 2 4th of the month 3 5th of the month 4 6th of the month 5 7th of the month 6 8th of the month 7 9th of the month 8 10th of the month 9 12th of the month You can check your SNAP balance and transaction history online at the Maine DHHS website or by calling the Maine EBT Customer Service line at 1-800-997-2555.
How to Apply for Extra SNAP Benefits in Maine
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. In Maine, SNAP benefits are called Maine Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Maine SNAP) benefits. Maine SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has provided additional SNAP benefits to eligible households. These additional benefits are called emergency allotments. Emergency allotments are paid out on a monthly basis and are in addition to the regular SNAP benefits that a household receives.
Am I Eligible for Extra SNAP Benefits in Maine?
To be eligible for extra SNAP benefits in Maine, you must:
The SNAP income and asset limits are as follows:
Household Size Gross Monthly Income Limit Net Monthly Income Limit Asset Limit 1 $1,340 $1,008 $2,250 2 $1,794 $1,346 $3,250 3 $2,248 $1,684 $4,250 4 $2,702 $2,022 $5,250 5 $3,156 $2,360 $6,250 6 $3,610 $2,698 $7,250 7 $4,064 $3,036 $8,250 8 $4,518 $3,374 $9,250 Each additional person $454 $346 $1,000 How to Apply for Extra SNAP Benefits in Maine
You can apply for extra SNAP benefits in Maine online, by mail, or in person at your local DHHS office.
To apply online:
To apply by mail:
To apply in person:
What Happens After I Apply for Extra SNAP Benefits in Maine?
After you apply for extra SNAP benefits in Maine, your application will be reviewed by a DHHS staff member. If you are eligible for benefits, you will be sent a SNAP EBT card in the mail. The EBT card can be used to purchase food at authorized retailers.
If you have any questions about applying for extra SNAP benefits in Maine, you can contact the Maine DHHS at 1-800-943-2743.
Eligibility Requirements for Extra SNAP Benefits in Maine
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, extra SNAP benefits were provided to eligible households. As of now, these extra benefits have ended. To continue receiving SNAP benefits, households must meet ongoing program requirements.
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Maine, you must meet all of the following requirements:
Income Limits
Gross Income Limits Household Size Monthly Gross Income Limit 1 $1,590 2 $2,168 3 $2,746 4 $3,324 Each Additional Person $578 Net Income Limits Household Size Monthly Net Income Limit 1 $1,174 2 $1,583 3 $1,992 4 $2,392 Each Additional Person $400 Asset Limits
If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you can apply for SNAP benefits online or by mail. You can also apply in person at your local DHHS office.