Guides

SNAP guides

Plain-English guides to the 2026 SNAP rule changes and the programs around SNAP — grouped by topic, updated for FY2026.

Getting SNAP
How to Apply for SNAP: Documents, the Interview & Income Tests How to apply for SNAP in 2026: the four ways to apply, what documents to bring, what the interview is really like, and how the income and asset tests actually work.
Using Your Benefits
What You Can Buy with SNAP — and How to Use Your EBT Card What SNAP covers and what it doesn't, how your EBT card works at the register and online, plus how to stretch benefits at farmers markets, check your balance, and replace a lost card.
Special Situations
SNAP for Immigrants: Who Qualifies, Mixed-Status Families & Public Charge Which non-citizens can get SNAP, the 5-year rule and its exceptions, how mixed-status households work, the truth about public charge, and what you don't have to share.
2026 SNAP Changes
OBBBA SNAP Changes Explained: What's Different in 2026 The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed SNAP in 6 significant ways. Plain-English breakdown of every change, the timeline, and who's affected. The ABAWD Age-64 Expansion: Who's Affected and Why OBBBA raised the ABAWD work-requirement age from 54 to 64. About 1 million older adults newly face the 80-hours/month rule or a 3/36 SNAP limit. Here's the impact, exemptions, and what to do. Parents of 14+ Work Requirement: New Exemption Rules OBBBA narrowed the parental SNAP exemption from dependent-under-18 to dependent-under-14. 400-600k single parents of teenagers now face the ABAWD work rule. Here's the change and how to file. State BBCE Decisions Post-OBBBA: Where Each State Sets Its Limit Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility lets states set gross-income limits up to 200% FPL. Most states use BBCE. Here's where each state set the threshold and how the post-OBBBA climate may change it.
Problems & Appeals
If You Lost SNAP Under OBBBA: Your Options The legal landscape, state-level resistance, federal action timeline, and program-by-program guide for the 3.5M households that lost SNAP under OBBBA. Plus the 5-question triage.
Other Benefit Programs
How to Apply for Medicaid: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026 Apply for Medicaid online, by phone, in person, or by mail. State-by-state portals, required documents, processing time, and what to do if denied. Updated for 2026 expansion-state thresholds. How to Apply for WIC: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026 WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) covers food, formula, nutrition counseling, and breastfeeding support. Apply at your state or local WIC clinic. Income up to 185% FPL OR automatic if you're on SNAP / Medicaid / TANF. How to Apply for LIHEAP: Step-by-Step Guide for Heating + Cooling Help LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) covers heating, cooling, and crisis utility help. Apply through your state energy office. Income at or below 150% FPL. Application windows often open Nov 1 for heating + May 1 for cooling.