NEED HELP BUYING FOOD? GET THE HELP YOU NEED

Low-income individuals and families can get help buying healthy food through the federal Food Stamp program.

Food Stamps help stretch food budgets and ensure that families can access healthier, culturally appropriate foods.

You can apply for these benefits by completing a Food Stamp application.

how do i purchase food with food stamps?

Food Stamp benefits are not provided through cash or coupons.

Instead, people who qualify for Food Stamps will be given an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card which looks and works like a bankcard.

When you go through the checkout line at a supermarket, you pass or "swipe" the EBT card through the payment machine at the checkout stand. Then you enter a four digit PIN code. The cost of the food is then subtracted from your Food Stamp account automatically - just like a bankcard.

Food Stamp EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores and supermarkets.

It is fast, simple and discreet.

What Can Food Stamps Buy?

Food Stamp benefits will help to stretch your food dollar. You can buy any food EXCEPT alcohol, pet food or heated foods.

You cannot use your EBT card to buy soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, tobacco or anything else that is not food.

For a comprehensive list of permissible foods to purchase with your EBT card, please click on the link: http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/eligible.htm

Who qualifies for Food Stamps?

You must meet income guidelines to receive Food Stamps. You may qualify for Food Stamps even if you have a full-time or part-time job. (Please see below: Who Is Not Eligible.)

how do i apply for food stamps?

The San Diego Food Bank has bilingual staff ready to help you apply for Food Stamps.

The San Diego Food Bank can “pre-screen” you to see if you qualify for Food Stamps. This means they will ask you a series of questions to determine if you are eligible for Food Stamps.

If you are eligible, they will help you fill out the Food Stamp application.
After you fill out the application, you can ask the Food Bank to mail the application to the San Diego County Department of Health and Human Services on your behalf.

Once the application is received by the County, the Food Bank will stay in touch with you throughout the application process. If any issues arise during the application process you can talk to a Food Bank staff member who will contact the County on your behalf to help with your application.

For questions or to learn if you are eligible to receive Food Stamp benefits please call Daniela Solano at 1-866-350-3663 (Food) Ext. 43.

visit a food stamp outreach program location

The Food Stamp Outreach Program staff and volunteers visit different locations every month to help people sign up for Food Stamps.

Team members will pre-screen you to see if you are eligible for Food Stamps and help you through the application process.

The chart below gives the location, dates and times where the Food Bank’s Food Stamp Outreach team will be hosting pre-screening clinics.

* Please note that all scheduled Prescreening Sessions are subject to change.
To confirm a scheduled event please call the San Diego Food Bank and speak to a Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator.

Who is NOT ELIGIBLE?

Individuals who receive SSI/SSP assistance, and undocumented residents are not eligible for Food Stamps. However, other members of your family might be. If you are a legal non-citizen, you might be eligible for Food Stamps. Other family members in your household who were born in the United States also might be eligible.

Note: Applying for Food Stamps will not hurt your chances of becoming a US citizen or permanent resident. However, Food Stamp applicants must have a Social Security number. This letter from the US Citizenship & Immigration Services explains that applying for Food Stamps will not affect immigration status.

US CIS Letter (English)  US CIS Letter (Spanish)

Download Immigration Facts & Myths for more information:

Immigration Facts & Myths (English)  Immigration Facts & Myths (Spanish)

ONLINE FOOD STAMP PRE-SCREENING PROGRAM:

Visit this website to see if you may qualify for Food Stamps:

http://cafoodresource.org/resource-tool

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FOOD STAMPS

Download our Food Stamp frequently asked questions information sheet:

Food Stamp FAQs (English)  Food Stamp FAQs (Spanish)

FOOD STAMP APPLICATION

Download the Food Stamp application:

Food Stamp Application (English)  Food Stamp Application (Spanish)

Food Stamp applications cannot be submitted online. Please print and complete the application. You can mail the application to the San Diego Food Bank who will be in touch with you throughout the process or you can personally mail it yourself or drop it off at your local Food Stamp office.

LIST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOOD STAMP OFFICES

Download this document for a full list of Food Stamp offices:

San Diego County Food Stamp Offices

How do I use Food Stamps when buying food?

Food Stamp benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card (EBT) which can be used like an ATM/Debit card that is accepted at most grocery stores and select farmer’s markets.

BECOME A FOOD STAMP OUTREACH VOLUNTEER

Become a Food Stamp Outreach volunteer with the Food Bank. Click here for more information. www.sandiegofoodbank.org/support/foodstampoutreach

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions or need more information about the Food Stamp Program, please contact Daniela Solano at 1-866-350-3663 (Food) Ext. 43 or email her at dsolano@sandiegofoodbank.org