What is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal assistance program that supplies money to qualifying low-income families or individuals to supplement their food budget. The program was formerly known as food stamps and assistance is provided via an EBT card that can be used to buy food at grocery stores and many other locations including some farmers markets. In New Hampshire SNAP is administered through the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and information can be found on their SNAP homepage and on the NH Easy website where one can also apply online. In addition to regular SNAP benefits granite staters with SNAP can get 50% off fresh fruits and vegetables at participating vendors with the Double Up Food Bucks program.

SNAP considers people who are attending an institution of higher education full time (as defined by the school) Students. Students are generally considered ineligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet an identified exception including but not limited to working 20 hours a week or 80 hours in a month, participation in a state or federal work study program, and being the caregiver of a young child. With a growing number of ‘nontraditional’ students on campuses many food insecure students qualify for one of these exceptions. More detailed information about the federal rules around student eligibility for SNAP can be found here. College SNAP Project provides a useful tool for navigating state rules although unfortunately the information for NH has not yet been added.